The Power of Environment

Have you ever moved? Did you know that moving is one of the best times to create new habits?

Your environment has a powerful influence on your habits. In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear tells the incredible story of how nearly 90% of Vietnam veterans who were addicted to heroin during the war were able to break their addiction when they came back to the United States after the war. How? They were out of the environment that supported their addiction and in a place that no longer had the same triggers.

There are numerous examples of people changing their environment and their daily cues and being able to then relatively easily change their habits. Our brains are powerful and once a habit has been formed and encoded, it is ready to be used whenever the situation arises. It is one of the main reasons that habits can be easier to change when you are in a new environment - there are all new cues. 

You immediately know what to do when you get in your car without thinking about it. If you always eat chocolate at the office, your brain will cue you to eat chocolate every time you are at the office. If you eat when you are stressed, you will be tempted to eat anytime you experience stress. 

So how can you take advantage of the power of your environment, without packing up and moving?

Examine your current environment. Look at your various environments - your home, work, routines. What supports the life you want to create? What hinders it? 

Adapt your environment to support the habits you want to create. Make it easy on yourself and make the best choice the easy choice. Have your water bottle filled at all times in order to drink more water. Leave your exercise clothes next to your bed ready to go in the morning. 

Change your environment to get rid of the cues that support the habits you want to change. If you want to go to sleep earlier, leave your phone in another room. Put the less healthy food on the back of the shelves.

Go to new places. Your current environment is supporting your current life. Try something new and take a break from your usual patterns which can help support new habits. 

And if you do have a big environment change - a move, job change, - use it as an opportunity to design your ideal environment!