Many of us struggle to keep our newly acquired Resolutions. Most of us want to give readers our best Learning tips, for forming good habits and winning at Resolutions. What if we could totally learn to Control Stress and Insecurities.
THE SCIENCE OF LEARNING
There are two systems that direct OUR BEHAVIOR which is based on the PROCEDURAL HABIT SYSTEM. and the GOAL-DIRECTED CONSCIOUS SYSTEM. During the early stages of learning, our behaviour is usually goal-directed, as long as there is a reliable connection between the ACTION & THE OUTCOME.
We can see this type of learning from a very early age. If we cry, we learn that an elderly person (preferably mom or dad) comes to comfort us. Soon enough, a clever toddler learns to use this behaviour to obtain what he/she wants, rather than just what he/she needs. Over time, the behaviour becomes quite AUTOMATIC. A habit.
The bag of chips near your computer. Reaching for a snack, when hungry is likely driven by the goal-directed system in the brain. However mindless snacking, even after we’re satisfied by a full belly, is now turned over to the habitual system, where behaviour is driven more by the triggering stimulus (chips) and isn’t dependent upon achieving the outcome.
Neuroscientists showed that these systems live in different parts of the brain: goal-directed learning resides in the prefrontal cortex while habitual learning relies on the striatum (white and grey matter in the brain which controls movement and balance). https://www.livescience.com/29365-human-brain.html
Stress usually drives habits
If you think that stress will get rid of your habitual behaviours, you may be wrong. In fact, stress makes us creatures of habit. Neuroscience has shown us that stress has a multitude of effects on cognition and memory. Studies illustrate that stress also affects our decision-making and habit-formation.
A study showed that stressed individuals, automated their actions to expecting a reward, even after the reward was devalued. Taking it a step further, Neuroscientists showed that administering stress hormone-like substances made people insensitive to the outcome of devaluation, and thus made their behaviour Habitual. What these and other studies show is that in times of stress, our goal-directed behaviour goes out the window and our brain takes comfort in routine behaviours. If you happen to have a habit of eating healthy food or exercising, chances are stress will make you do those things, too.
In the end, our behaviour, whether healthy or not, becomes automatic. That does not mean *stop brushing your teeth* or never go on autopilot. Perhaps there is room for more awareness and attention, and less automatic behaviour. Daily routines of ‘Successful’ people keep telling us to restructure our lives in a particular way, but very little is said about cultivating attention to our bodies and minds. A habitual system kicks in when our conscious mind becomes preoccupied.
“Attention is probably the rarest and purest form of generosity.” By learning to cultivate better attention, we not only become more mindful, we may even enjoy the present moment more often.
We all have fears, doubts and reasons for giving up! But what you need to realize is that none of these are insurmountable.
This is how can you take positive steps towards REMOVING OBSTACLES for Keeping the Resolutions made.
* Fear of change, Wanting to be comfortable
* Boredom, Fear of insecurity
* Fear of failing, Lacking time,
* Fear of not being good enough, Perfectionism
Look for these parameters, which actually are a barrier to your resolutions and OVERCOME them.
By Taking small step and Embracing the desire you have you can perhaps Focus on the purpose…
“HAPPY NEW YEAR”
from the TEAM – RISE FOR INDIA
#Behaviour, #Learning, #Obstacles, #Insecurities, #Perfectionism, #habit, #Stress, #Science, # Learning
