Navigating the Challenges of Behavioral Change: Why it's So Hard to Alter Our Habits

Changing habits can be likened to steering a massive ship in a new direction. Our brains are wired to follow familiar paths for efficiency and comfort. This is why changing habits feels so daunting: our routines and lifestyles are deeply ingrained. However, just as with a ship, a steady and persistent approach can eventually lead us to our desired destination. This article explores the reasons why changing habits is so challenging and provides insights on how to overcome these obstacles.

The Hardwiring of Our Brains

Habits are not logical decisions. Instead, they establish an emotional comfort zone in us, a consequence of daily repetition and routine. Our brains are designed to prefer familiarity and efficiency over change, much like taking the well-worn trails in a forest. Breaking these trails to create new ones—new habits—are inherently difficult.

Why is change so hard? Our brains resist because change requires extra effort and energy. Additionally, habits become so deeply entwined in our routines and lifestyles that they feel like a part of our identity. It's akin to trying to untangle a knot: it takes patience and persistence. Despite these challenges, change is possible with the right strategies and mindset.

Resistance and Emotional Comfort

Habits give us emotional comfort and a sense of control. Changing them often feels like giving up something valuable or comfortable. The psychosomatic adapts to the familiar state, making change even more difficult. People get stuck in the loop of their habitual behavior and become attached to the comfort it provides. This comfort is especially strong in bad habits, which can be as difficult to break as a bad knot to untangle.

A successful change requires a need and compulsion. It must become a necessity, pushing the individual to make the change. Willingness, heart, and self-belief play critical roles. A human mind and body go hand in hand. The person who can take control of their mind is more likely to succeed in making a significant change.

Forming and Breaking Habits

Research suggests that it takes time to form a habit. Habit formation often requires 21 days for a new behavior to become automatic. However, breaking an established habit is often significantly harder. This is because a person gets stuck in a loop and becomes emotionally attached to the habit. The good news is that with persistence and the right mindset, change is possible.

Single failure is not the end. Change is an iterative process, and setbacks are part of the journey. It takes time and effort, but eventually, one reaches the desired results. The process may be challenging, but the reward is a healthier, happier life. Steer through the rough seas of change, and one day, you will find the true purpose of your journey.

Thanks for reading.

Sushmita