By Hope van Noppen

Even as we enter early spring, not yet half way through the year, I realize I haven’t accomplished any of the New Year’s resolutions that I set out for myself. In fact, I can’t even remember what they were. Habit formation is hard and often it seems exhausting to change, even when I know I should be healthier, exercise more, or accomplish a long list of tasks that will benefit me. But why is it so hard to change, and why can’t I even start? 

 The answer is neuroplasticity and a brain that wants to survive above all else. 

What is neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is how the brain grows and changes. It is not something that we can decide how or when to change, but is an innate part of our brains and how humanity survives.

When we are overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious, our brain prioritizes taking care of ourselves. This is a great thing! Our brain is amazing at keeping us safe and allowing us to create space for ourselves to rest and heal. Unfortunately, it can also be annoying because it makes us see any change as a threat to our survival. 

 When we feel secure and in control, we can adapt to change; when we don’t feel in control, we are more resistant to the change. 

When I was younger, my friends and I would often plan the exact right time to ask our parents if we could have a sleepover or play longer because we knew that our parents were more likely to say ‘yes’ to the change in plans if we asked them when they weren’t overwhelmed. Unknowingly, we were responding to the patterns of survival in our parents that see change as a threat. 

Are we stuck like this?

So is that it? Are we always going to be subject to the habit formation of our brain and there is nothing we can do about it? Thankfully, no! 

Changing habits and being flexible to change is hard but definitely possible. Neuroplasticity is about acknowledging that your brain is not stuck or static; it includes both growth and pruning. While that growth and pruning can be used to reinforce habits we don’t want, it can also be used to create new ones that we actually want. To accomplish this, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

1. Environment

Safety creates mental space to change habits and sets you up for success because you are regulated enough in your environment and body to make the changes. People who are struggling with basic needs like food, shelter, and human connection face additional challenges because their brain is still prioritizing safety over change.

2. Start Small

 As amazing as it can be to want to change everything all at once, approach change with realistic expectations. In conversation with Amanda van Noppen, a psychotherapist, she said to plan to change one- to two-habits every three months. Pick what is causing you the most distress and start with that one thing.

3. Work with Your Brain

As easy as it is to say that bad habit formation is because of laziness or not enough hard work, it is more effective to listen to why you are resisting a new habit than to shame yourself for failing to change. If a strategy for creating a new habit is not working, change the strategy.

Habits are not changed by grit or trying harder; they are changed through good strategy.      Amanda van Noppen, Psychotherapist and Grief Counselor

 Unfortunately, there is no one magic answer to create better habits. However, understanding how and why our brain is encouraging certain behaviours and habits allows us to see the motivation behind the habit and determine a strategy to change. 

Change is possible! And while it can be hard, no one is stuck in the path they are on. So before you jump into creating plans to fix a habit, take a minute and thank your brain for its neuroplasticity and the work that it has done to help you survive. 

 To hear Amanda, Dave, and Reb talk more about neuroplasticity, tune in to episode #464 of “Let’s Talk Money with Dave and Reb”. You can find it here: Neuroplasticity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Hope van Noppen

Even as we enter early spring, not yet half way through the year, I realize I haven’t accomplished any of the New Year’s resolutions that I set out for myself. In fact, I can’t even remember what they were. 

Habit formation is hard and often it seems exhausting to change, even when I know I should be healthier, exercise more, or accomplish a long list of tasks that will benefit me. But why is it so hard to change, and why can’t I even start? 

The answer is neuroplasticity and a brain that wants to survive above all else. 

What is neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is how the brain grows and changes. It is not something that we can decide how or when to change, but is an innate part of our brains and how humanity survives.

When we are overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious, our brain prioritizes taking care of ourselves. This is a great thing! Our brain is amazing at keeping us safe and allowing us to create space for ourselves to rest and heal. Unfortunately, it can also be annoying because it makes us see any change as a threat to our survival. 

When we feel secure and in control, we can adapt to change; when we don’t feel in control, we are more resistant to the change. 

When I was younger, my friends and I would often plan the exact right time to ask our parents if we could have a sleepover or play longer because we knew that our parents were more likely to say ‘yes’ to the change in plans if we asked them when they weren’t overwhelmed. Unknowingly, we were responding to the patterns of survival in our parents that see change as a threat.  

Are we stuck like this?

So is that it? Are we always going to be subject to the habit formation of our brain and there is nothing we can do about it? Thankfully, no! 

Changing habits and being flexible to change is hard but definitely possible. Neuroplasticity is about acknowledging that your brain is not stuck or static; it includes both growth and pruning. While that growth and pruning can be used to reinforce habits we don’t want, it can also be used to create new ones that we actually want. To accomplish this, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

1. Environment

Safety creates mental space to change habits and sets you up for success because you are regulated enough in your environment and body to make the changes. People who are struggling with basic needs like food, shelter, and human connection face additional challenges because their brain is still prioritizing safety over change.

2. Start Small

As amazing as it can be to want to change everything all at once, approach change with realistic expectations. In conversation with Amanda van Noppen, a psychotherapist, she said to plan to change one- to two-habits every three months. Pick what is causing you the most distress and start with that one thing. 

3. Work with Your Brain

As easy as it is to say that bad habit formation is because of laziness or not enough hard work, it is more effective to listen to why you are resisting a new habit than to shame yourself for failing to change. If a strategy for creating a new habit is not working, change the strategy.

Habits are not changed by grit or trying harder; they are changed through good strategy.                                                      Amanda van Noppen, Psychotherapist and Grief Counselor

Unfortunately, there is no one magic answer to create better habits. However, understanding how and why our brain is encouraging certain behaviours and habits allows us to see the motivation behind the habit and determine a strategy to change. 

Change is possible! And while it can be hard, no one is stuck in the path they are on. So before you jump into creating plans to fix a habit, take a minute and thank your brain for its neuroplasticity and the work that it has done to help you survive. 

To hear Amanda, Dave, and Reb talk more about neuroplasticity, tune in to episode #464 of “Let’s Talk Money with Dave and Reb”. You can find it here: Neuroplasticity.