The Neuroscience of Change

By Kelly McGonigal

Have you set goals for yourself or set behavior improvements for yourself, only to fall off the wagon when you get stressed?

Kelly McGonigal uses the example of trying to give up ice cream or donuts.

Part of your brain knows you want to avoid unhealthy food, and it knows how good it will be for you.

But another part of your brain, when stressed, takes over. It forces you to ignoring all logic, goals, and plans and do what is bad for you.

So you are driving home after a stressful day at work. Pretty soon you find yourself being pulled to that ice cream / donut shop. The entire time a voice in the back of your head, says don't do it. But you ignore that voice as if you have no control. You partake of the toxic treat, then feel terrible afterwards.

Kelly McGonigal explains why your brain works this way, and what to do about it.