Resolutions

People are talking about New Year’s Resolutions again— change! Why is it so hard for humans to change?  Humans are creatures of habits because habits are efficient, fast, and save brain-body energy. Why is change so hard? Because the brain must override and interrupt a habit or create a new one, which either way takes time and energy. Sometimes a good habit is unhelpful in specific situations only. For example, when confronted by danger the brain typically initiates a fight or flight response. If you are suddenly confronted by a large and potentially dangerous wild animal, however, fighting is not an option and running is exactly the WRONG thing to do if you plan to live another day. It that situation, the brain is also designed to get your attention in and tell you that a typical learned habit is NOT in your best interest in this situation.