Habit Stacking and Why it Works
Habit stacking is defined as the practice of “gradually incorporating new lifestyle habits into your routine by associating them with already-established habits.” Whether this means drinking more water, practicing meditation for 5 minutes a day, or taking a morning walk, the fairly new concept of “habit stacking” is proven to be beneficial in many ways. It helps increase one’s ability to focus, manage emotions and lower stress levels as well as with organization, prioritization and memory. And, with a deeper understanding of how mental health impacts one’s overall health, small but effective changes can also boost one’s self confidence and mood.
But the neuroconnections in our brains are strongest for behaviors and habits that are already practice, and that we are good at, and are weaker for behaviors that we don’t habitually practice. Therefore, the task of building new habits can be a challenging one. But, by making small changes, the brain utilizes the strong synaptic connections we already have thus making us more likely to be successful in creating new habits (Maggie Seaver, RealSimple).
According to S.J. Scott, author of Habit Stacking: 97 Small Life Changes That Take 5 Minutes or Less, “Habit stacking works because you eliminate the stress of trying to change too many things at once. Your goal is to simply focus on a single routine.” In doing so, one will start to reap the benefits of creating a new habit.
As the new year quickly approaches, it may be beneficial to set an intention. How can you practice habit-stacking in order to feel more productive, focused and confident? Can you add one glass of water to your morning routine? Can you stack a ten-minute Pilates class into your already established workout regimen? Can you meditate for 5 minutes before going to sleep at night? The mind-body relationship is one that is ever changing and developing, but by feeling more confident and productive through techniques like habit stacking, you are growing the synaptic connections in the brain and setting yourself up for success in all areas of your life.
Citations
Blain, T. (2022, October 20). Benefits of Habit Stacking for ADHD. Verywell Mind. Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/habit-stacking-definition-steps-benefits-for-adhd-6751145
J. D. Meier. (n.d.). The Power of Habit Stacking. Sources of Insight. Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://sourcesofinsight.com/power-habit-stacking/
Seaver, M. (2022, February 1). Habit Stacking is the Easiest Way to Make New Habits Last-Here's How it Works. Real Simple. Retrieved December 19, 2022, from http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/inspiration-motivation/habit-stacking
Troncoso, D. J. (2022, June 26). Habit Stacking: How to Build Habits That Last. MarketSplash. Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://marketsplash.com/habit-stacking/