Pressure and strain lead to persistent behaviors taking hold
In times of stress, it's common for habits - good or bad - to persist, according to a study conducted at the University of Southern California. The research, co-led by David Neal, a former assistant psychology professor at USC, and Aimee Drolet of the University of California, Los Angeles, sheds light on how stress can trigger automatic behaviors that provide temporary relief, creating a habit loop.
This habit loop, as explained by Wendy Wood, professor of psychology and business at USC, is a cycle where a stressor (trigger) leads to a behavior (habit), which produces a reward (stress relief), reinforcing the behavior even if it doesn't address the root problem. For instance, smoking during stress may temporarily ease anxiety, but it doesn't solve the underlying issue, making the habit persistent.
To break free from this cycle and form healthy habits that improve daily life and overall health, the study suggests several strategies. First, increasing awareness of your habit loops through mindfulness can help you recognise and understand your habitual reactions to stress.
Incorporating activities like regular exercise, yoga, and deep breathing that reduce stress and boost mental well-being is another effective method. These activities release endorphins and enhance mood, providing a healthier and more sustainable form of stress relief.
Prioritising self-care routines that bring joy and relaxation, such as spending time with loved ones, taking hot baths, or reading, can also help. Additionally, practicing mindfulness meditation can improve mental clarity, self-compassion, and focus, helping you stay present and control negative thoughts.
Building small, consistent daily habits that boost mental health, such as brief walks, physical movement, social connection, and limiting social media to reduce anxiety, can also be beneficial. Tracking your progress and maintaining accountability through logs or support groups can increase the likelihood of sustaining new habits.
The article, titled "Good or Bad, Habits Stick in Times of Stress", was written by Suzanne Wu, a former director of research communications at University of South California and an author at Futurity. It was published by Futurity on May 28th, 2013.
The study found that to change behavior, one should focus on forming healthy, productive habits rather than strategizing about motivation and self-control. For example, regular gym-goers were more likely to go to the gym when stressed, while students who had a habit of eating a healthy breakfast were more likely to stick to their routine and eat well in the morning when under pressure.
The article emphasises the importance of making a behavior easy to perform and repeating it often to form a habit that becomes part of one's daily routine. It also discusses how stress can lead to both positive and negative habits becoming automatic.
The study, conducted at the University of Southern California, is related to the field of psychology and behavioural science. It's a timely reminder that in times of stress, it's crucial to be mindful of our habits and make conscious efforts to replace unhealthy responses with purposeful, pleasurable activities that address our well-being more effectively.
[Image Credit: Ken Hawkins/Flickr]
In light of the study conducted at the University of Southern California, it's essential to replace unhealthy stress responses with purposeful activities that promote health-and-wellness, particularly mental-health. The study suggests that forming new, productive habits can be achieved by focusing on ease of performance and repetition, making these behaviors part of daily routines.
