Remember that popular AMC show starring Bryan Cranston called “Breaking Bad”? The story was about a high school chemistry teacher, diagnosed with a terminal cancer, that began “cooking drugs” to make more money for his family. The show “Breaking Bad” was called “Breaking Bad” because the title is a Southern colloquialism meaning “to raise hell” or “to turn toward a life of crime”.
Away from TV shows and to the health arena: The “Breaking Bad” I am referring to is the breaking of BAD health habits such as:
- Downing several alcohol containing drinks a night as a relaxing ”cocktail hour”
- Eating ice cream at night after dinner
- Driving through a fast food restaurant for the family dinner after the children’s after school activities
- Smoking cigarettes
There are obviously many other bullet points that can be added to this list of “Bad Habits”. Why is breaking these patterns of behaviors so difficult?
Breaking bad habits is difficult because they become automatic, ingrained behaviors that trigger the brain’s reward system, and the brain resists change to conserve energy and maintain familiar routines. Even if a habit is detrimental, it can still trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, reinforcing the behavior.
The brain prefers established routines and resists change, activating the “fight-or-flight” response when faced with the prospect of breaking a habit. The brain forms habits to save energy, making them difficult to break because they require less mental effort. Bad habits can be linked to stress, anxiety, or other difficult emotions, and people may turn to them as coping mechanisms. People may not fully recognize the negative impact of their habits or the triggers that lead to them.
Concerning “Breaking Bad”: The first step to breaking a bad habit is to identify it and understand why you want to change. Instead of focusing on breaking the habit, consider replacing it with a more beneficial one. Make gradual changes rather than trying to overhaul your habits all at once. It takes time and effort to break a habit and form a new one. Enlist the help of friends, family, or professionals to stay motivated and accountable.
“Breaking Bad” (health habits) is not easy but by doing so, we can reach a happier and healthier place in life.
There were lots of songs played during the multi-year seasons of “Breaking Bad” and here is one of them” “Crystal Blue Persuasion”.
