We all have habits. They are the automatic patterns that help us get through the day. But sometimes, these habits feel more like reactions we cannot control.
You might snap at a loved one when you are tired. Or reach for comfort food when you feel stressed. These moments can leave you feeling powerless, as if you are not the one in charge.
The good news is that you can learn to shift from reaction to response. It begins with understanding how your body learns, and it grows with your ability to pay attention to its signals.
Your body is an incredible learner. Every experience you have is stored not just in your mind, but in your physical self. This is a form of learning called implicit memory.
Your body learns which actions help you feel safe and connected. It then turns these successful behaviours into automatic habits. This creates a kind of neuromuscular autopilot that runs in the background.
It is an efficient system. It saves you from having to consciously think about every single action. But sometimes, the programmes it runs are based on old information that no longer serves you.
You cannot change a habit that you do not know you have. Many of our most deeply ingrained patterns operate outside of our conscious awareness. They are biobehavioural blind spots.
Awareness is the tool that brings these patterns into the light. It is the practice of turning your attention inward. You start to notice the subtle sensations your body is sending you all the time.
This is not about judging yourself for having a certain habit. It is simply about noticing. That simple act of observation is the first and most crucial step towards change.
Once you are aware of a pattern, you can begin to change it. Your nervous system is the bridge between your mind and your body. To rewire a habit, you need to give your nervous system a new experience.
Movement is one of the most powerful ways to do this. When you move your body in a new or different way, you create new neural pathways. You are actively teaching your body a new possibility.
Slow, mindful movement can be especially helpful. It gives your brain time to process the new information and helps to avoid triggering the old, automatic reaction.
The shift from reaction to response happens in a single moment. It happens in the tiny pause between a trigger and your habitual action. Awareness is what creates this space.
When a stressful situation occurs, you can learn to feel the reactive impulse rising in your body. You might feel your muscles tense or your breath shorten. By noticing these sensations, you create a moment of choice.
In that brief pause, you are no longer on autopilot. You have the freedom to choose a different path. This is the very heart of self-regulation and personal empowerment.
Rewiring your habits is a journey, not a destination. Each time you choose a conscious response over an automatic reaction, you strengthen that new pathway. You build a greater capacity for intentional living.
This process relies on clear communication between your brain and your body. The health of your spine is essential for this dialogue, as it protects the nervous system’s main highway. Chiropractic care helps to ensure this pathway is functioning as well as it can.
By supporting your body’s internal communication, we help you become more attuned to its wisdom. If you are ready to move forward with greater clarity and intention, we are here to support you
Ewell Chiropractic
9A Cheam Road, Ewell, Epsom KT17 1SP
Our practice is next to the central car park in the Ewell village if you travel by car. And just a 10-minute wander from both train stations in Ewell.
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