Been thinking about habits and hang ups, the things that we do without thinking about, good or bad. Or the habits that we keep trying to build but then lose track before we get to the 30-day mark.
What always gets me is that some habits are almost impossible to keep while others we just can’t kick. It feels like my own basal ganglia is working against me! Our daily actions like brushing our teeth, typing, eating, etc. are automatic tasks are brain has in a way memorized. Your brain simply goes on autopilot to complete these task in order to save energy. It’s kind of incredible! Neuronal connections or pathways are created in the brain based on repetitive tasks. So the more we practice a habit the more it gets wired into our brain, good or bad.
Photo by Hannah Midkiff Photography
So to my 5 habits I developed during quarantine! Let’s start with the reality…
1. Not waking up before 10 am
2. Perpetually dehydrated but caffeinated
3. Not wearing pants unless I have to (really not getting dressed till I have to!)
4. Scrolling TikTok for at least 5 minutes at a time every time app is opened
5. Not ever fixing my hair (we love the low messy bun look right?)
This is the reality because these are not the habits I wanted to start this summer, but here we are. Some of these are circumstantial or due to zoom’s happening in different time zones, not needing to go anywhere, anxiety causing my need to escape from everything happening around me. Some of these habits are the way I coped with the overwhelming loss of control I felt in March and as the lockdown began then lifted but life as we knew it was very different. Even now things don’t quite feel the same and sometimes we just have to do what our body’s need. Sleep, drink caffeine to stay awake cause we didn’t sleep, stay in bed and get work done, watch a Netflix episode to escape for a little bit, etc.
Photo by Hannah Midkiff Photography
Now to my 5 habits I picked up during quarantine that I’m not mad about!
1. Creating and sticking to a skincare routine! I’ve never felt better about my face and it’s helped me feel more confident!
2. Writing down my class agendas for each class I teach. I feel like this helps me see where my kids are as the semester goes on and helps me worry less about combinations and more about helping my kids succeed!
3. Putting down my phone when I’m with my pets. This started during quarantine with my dogs I would just set it down and play or pet them and not check my phone again for about 10 minutes while they had my attention. Then when Bentley came along he chews on my phone case, so this habit has become solidified.
4. Listening to a podcast or two while driving. I love listening to podcasts because it takes my mind off my excessive thinking and processing that often happens even when listening to music. It sweeps me up into a story or message that keeps my attention!
5. Finally, I’ve done it Dr. Gerber! Making my bed every day. There’s a few times this doesn’t get done but I would say I’ve become very consistent with making my bed even when I’m staying home. It still feels cozy for those zoom calls when I have a fuzzy blanket on my lap!
What are your habits you’ve formed, good or bad, during quarantine? Take a minute, make a list on your phone or on a sticky note! It helps to see them in front of you. To make a change we have to first see the problem. Habits make our lives easier because our brain goes on autopilot, but how many of these autopilot tasks are actually helping us reach our goals? Are they keeping our minds on ourselves instead of others? Are they helping us stay healthy mentally, emotionally, and physically?
There were a couple verses that came to mind while writing this blog. In Romans 12, Paul talks about not “conforming to this world,” but be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” To not conform we have to be alert and attentive (Romans 12:2-3, 1 Corinthians 6:12). In 2 Corinthians 10 Paul instructs that there is a spiritual war taking place inside our minds and with our thoughts. Think of every intrusive thought like an arrow that we can catch and use our God given discernment to not let it wound us and stick like a soreness to our bones. But “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Our ability to go on “autopilot” with our daily actions is an incredible superpower our brains have, but we should always pause to take notice of what habits are being built into our brains. Are they edifying? Do they encourage or put down others? Are they helpful to take care of our bodies? Are they useful to steward the money we’ve been given? These are just a few thoughts about our habits but I know you have some, so I encourage you to check in with your habits you’ve formed and maybe decide which ones you want to stay and which ones you’re going to kick to the curb!
Sources:
What Happens in the Brain when Habits are Formed? By Maria Cohut PhD. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320874#Bookending-neural-signals
The Neuroscience of Change: How to Train Your Brain to Create Better Habits By Thomas Oppong https://medium.com/swlh/to-break-bad-habits-you-really-have-to-change-your-brain-the-neuroscience-of-change-da735de9afdf#:~:text=Habits%20are%20found%20in%20an,physically%20wired%20into%20your%20brain.