Side effects of creating a new habit

There are side effects of creating new habits out of an old one, are you ready, you become more creative and innovative.

According to an article in the New York Times, research shows that "When we consciously develop new habits, we create parallel synaptic paths, and even entirely new brain cells, that can jump our trains of thought onto new, innovative tracks.".

Some old habits that you want to abandon have been following you for years. They won't willingly go away. So instead of trying to erase them from your subconscious mind, create new ones to overwrite them. There is a Chinese saying:"Attack poison with poison." In this case, "Attach habit with habit."

Same effect can be achieved when you are doing something new. Think of yourself like a rubber band. When you are relaxed, there is no power, and you are in your comfort zone. The more your stretch it, the more powerful it will snap back, you are in your stretched zone. When you pull it too hard, it's becoming painfully and eventually get out of shape or break, that's when you are stressed. The ideal place you want to be is when you are stretched a little, but not relaxed or stressed out.

As everything else, there are side effects of being creative and trying new things everyday, it slows down the aging process of your brain. Are you up to it?!

(photo by pricklypearbloom)