How self-affirmation can help us kick bad habits
Everyday we’re bombarded with information on how to live a healthier life, and even though we take it onboard, putting it to action is another matter altogether.
Which raises the question - why is it so easy to fall back into bad habits?
ABC health journalist Sophie Scott suggests that it’s because even if we move to change our behaviour, the bad habit is still hidden in our brain.
In her blog, Ms Scott writes, “To change our habits, we need to activate a part of the brain called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which is simply the part of the brain that processes risk and fear. It also plays a role in decision-making and habits.”
Ms Scott cites an interesting study by Emily Falk at the University of Pennsylvania that found simply reflecting on your core values can activate that part of the brain.
Participants in the study were sent text messages, encouraging them to sit less and move more. To test the power of reflecting on your core values, some of the participants received messages with added self-affirmation phrases like, "Think of a time when you will help a friend or family member reach an accomplishment."
The study found volunteers who received the messages paired with the expressions of self-affirmation showed more brain activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex.
Ms Scott writes, “Again, for me, it's thinking about each day. Do my actions reflect my core values, or those things I care deeply about, like my family, friends, being a good parent and living a meaningful life? What I learned from investigating this research is that if you think about what you really value in life, you are more likely to change behaviours. And that's very empowering.”
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