New Year’s Resolutions
6 tips to actually keep them
We’ve probably all been there: the line between two calendar years is an excellent mark to chuck the old and welcome the new. We say goodbye to habits like smoking or indulging in too much junkfood, and embrace new healthy habits.
For a week or three.
Sometimes even less.
All too often, the old behaviors and patterns find their way back into your life and no matter how hard you try to resist, you cave and you’re back where you didn’t want to be anymore.
Sounds familiair?
Yup. I think we’ve alle been there too.
But it’s not your fault!
You might think it is, but no. It’s your reptilian brain, or monkey brain, the oldest part of your brain in evolutionary terms, where your identity and habits are stored. This part of the brain works from what it knows, from your comfort zone, from your past, and it likes nothing more than staying there.
Change is a threat, as far as your monkey brain is concerned.
Now your monkey brain is also where your survival instincts are stored. It controls your autonomic nerve system and it warns you in case of danger. It is strong. Very strong. And as soon as it senses something is off, it will make sure…