Here is the link, Ok, it may look like a long article BUT it is very very worth it;
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/lifestyle/a/-/lifestyle/8592973/don-t-let-your-brain-sabotage-resolutions/
For those who a lazy (Don't worry, it's taken me a week to finally sit down and read it), I have taken some of the best parts and put them below, BUT the whole article is really good.
"Why are bad habits stronger? You're fighting against the power of an immediate reward,"
It's the fudge versus broccoli choice - chocolate's yum factor tends to beat out the knowledge that sticking with veggies brings an eventual reward of lost weight.
"We all as creatures are hard-wired that way, to give greater value to an immediate reward as opposed to something that's delayed," Dr Volkow said.
Do you always snack in front of your favourite TV show? A dopamine-rich (Dompaine; A chemical which makes, seeks and creates pleasure) part of the brain memorised rituals and routines linked to getting a particular reward, Dr Volkow.
Eventually, those environmental cues triggered the striatum to make some behaviours almost automatic, she said. (Kind of like going to the movies and always getting popcorn)
Researchers say there are some steps that may help counter your brain's hold on bad habits:
-Repeat, repeat, repeat the new behaviour - the same routine at the same time of day. Resolved to exercise? Doing it at the same time of the morning, rather than fitting it in haphazardly, made the striatum recognise the habit so eventually, "if you don't do it, you feel awful", Dr Volkow said.
Reward yourself with something you really desire, Dr Volkow said. You exercised all week? Stuck to your diet? Buy a book, a great pair of jeans, or try a fancy restaurant.
Stress can reactivate the bad-habit circuitry. (Something we all know)
-Cut out the rituals linked to your bad habits. No eating in front of the TV, ever.
Interesting! xx
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