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A Simple Way to Break a Bad Habit | Judson Brewer | TED
Willpower keeps failing you because stress switches it off. Try curiosity instead: trigger, behaviour, reward, and notice what the reward really feels like.
Who it's for
Brewer explains habits as reward-based learning, the same loop that once helped humans remember where food was, which reframes a bad habit as learned behaviour rather than a character flaw.
Feelings it meets
What it is
In this TEDMED 2015 talk, psychiatrist Judson Brewer explains habits as a product of reward-based learning, in which behaviours that bring a reward get reinforced. He argues that willpower alone often fails because the brain's planning region can be bypassed when habits take over, and proposes instead becoming curious about the actual experience of a craving.
Where to find it
YouTube, official TED channel (free). Transcript on TED.com.
Before you start
Heads up: Mentions smoking and addiction.
Age: Ages 12+
