Do you often start new exercise routines or diets, only to abandon them shortly after? You’re not alone. Many of us struggle to make lasting changes when adopting a healthier lifestyle.
Let’s explore why this happens and how to overcome it.
To do that, we need to understand a little bit about the brain.
Your brain is hardwired to resist change through a protective mechanism called homeostasis. Its primary job is to keep you safe, and from its perspective, the status quo is safe. Change represents uncertainty and potential danger.
This resistance shows up in many areas:
– Fitness goals falling by the wayside
– Decluttering projects left unfinished
– Educational pursuits abandoned
– Business ideas that never launch
– Postponing important financial planning
Scientists have found that familiar routines activate the brain’s “default mode network,” creating a sense of comfort. New behaviors require more mental energy and can trigger the brain’s threat response, explaining why it’s tempting to fall back into old patterns.
The good news us, you can train your brain to become more comfortable with change:
1. Start small: Break big goals into tiny, manageable steps.
2. Create new associations: Pair new habits with things you enjoy.
3. Practice mindfulness: Strengthen your ability to override automatic thoughts.
4. Reframe your self-talk: Use decisive and positive language to reinforce your intentions.
5. Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge progress to reinforce new neural pathways.
Once you establish a new habit, your brain’s protective mechanism will work to maintain it. The key is pushing through initial discomfort until the new behavior becomes your “normal.”
Becoming more comfortable with change requires adopting a growth mindset – viewing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Research shows that people with a growth mindset are more resilient and more likely to achieve their goals.
That doesn’t mean change isn’t easy. But understanding your brain’s resistance can help you develop effective strategies for breaking through those barriers and achieving the life and health that you want.