Your Amazing Brain and Forming New Habits

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Dr. Allison Lamont, Brain and Memory Foundation.

Did you make a New Year's resolution? Several?

Most of our resolutions to do better, be it becoming physically fitter, losing weight, or quitting smoking are about forming a new habit. And there is little doubt that you will have made the resolution before!

Aristotle said 'We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.'

So how can you change a bad habit once and for all?

Your brain can't handle every minute detail of things we do regularly and habits are the brain's way of helping us to memorise and repeat things we do often. We automatically switch on the light when entering a darkened room, look both ways before crossing the road, or, unfortunately reach out for another cigarette or that tempting calorie-laden snack.

You can use that very same brain ability to decide upon and change to a new, positive and healthy habit.

In 1949, David Hebb made a landmark discovery: Neurons that fire together wire together. This means that when brain neurons active at the same moment over and over again, then the neurons become associated with one another and the connections become stronger. As we practise the new habit, the stronger and more ingrained the pathways become. You literally change your brain!

Every habit we want to develop has the same three stages – the reminder, the routine, and the reward. For example, we need to cross a busy road to the shop, we automatically look both ways, and are rewarded by making it safely to the other side.

We can use all sorts of things as a reminder.

If you want to develop the habit of going for a walk each morning you could use something you already routinely do as your reminder – perhaps finishing your morning coffee – or create a reminder specifically for walking such as putting your walking shoes by the door.

The more often you put on the shoes and walk out of the door, the easier it will become. You will be well rewarded by the sense of achievement, the smiles of others out walking, and enjoying the sights and sounds of the outdoors.

Your brain will soon start to anticipate the routine and before long you will find yourself not wanting to miss this important and pleasurable part of the day.

Ensure your new goal is pleasurable.

Rather than setting out on your walk with the attitude that this feels like punishment for allowing yourself to become unfit, engage all of your senses in the experience.

Feel the sun and breeze, observe and really notice the environment, greet passers-by, be aware of the fragrance of flowers or the ocean, and listen to the sounds around you.

As you engage your senses and really notice what is around you, enjoy and savour the experience. This will, in turn, trigger responses in the brain that will be busy forming new, strong and vibrant neural pathways to reinforce your new, habit-forming determination.

Consistency is the key!

It is much better to take a 15 minute walk every day than to do an hour walk for a couple of days and then give up. Remember, you are training your brain with your consistency.

When a person learns to play a musical instrument and follows a regimen of practice, over time the resultant music will appear fluid and effortless.

The brain is very adaptive and flexible, but the change always depends on the amount of effort, time and consistency invested. So it is with your new habit, but the rewards are great, and soon the new habit will be automatic, too.

Try it for yourself. It's possible, it's proven, and now it's up to you.

Do you want to know how to keep Brain Fit and Brain Healthy?

If you live in Auckland or Whangarei enrol now for a Brain Fit for Life© course near you. You will benefit enormously from participating in the five fun, interactive workshops, learning to improve your memory with tips an strategies, and how to future-proof your memory for brain resilience, memory confidence and independence.

Check out the website now: www.brainfit.co.nz.