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reading comprehension

Habits are automatic behaviors that significantly influence our daily lives, with good habits enhancing health and happiness while bad habits can have detrimental effects. They are formed through a three-step process of cue, routine, and reward, which strengthens brain connections over time. Changing habits is challenging but achievable through small, consistent changes and techniques like habit stacking, ultimately leading to improved personal and professional outcomes.

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Gosia Sikora
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19 views

reading comprehension

Habits are automatic behaviors that significantly influence our daily lives, with good habits enhancing health and happiness while bad habits can have detrimental effects. They are formed through a three-step process of cue, routine, and reward, which strengthens brain connections over time. Changing habits is challenging but achievable through small, consistent changes and techniques like habit stacking, ultimately leading to improved personal and professional outcomes.

Uploaded by

Gosia Sikora
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Reading Comprehension: The Importance of Habits in

Daily Life
Introduction
Habits are actions that we do regularly, often without thinking about them. Scientists define
a habit as a behavior that becomes automatic after many repetitions. In everyday life, habits
guide much of what we do. Good habits, such as exercising, studying, or reading every day,
can improve our health, knowledge, and happiness. In contrast, bad habits, like smoking,
eating too much junk food, or procrastinating, can have negative effects. Therefore,
understanding habits is important if we want to live better lives.

The Formation of Habits


Research shows that habits are formed through a simple three-step process. First, there is a
cue — a signal that tells the brain to begin a behavior. Second, there is the routine — the
action itself. Finally, there is the reward — a positive outcome that makes the brain want to
do the behavior again. For example, if you feel tired (cue), you drink a cup of coffee
(routine), and then you feel more awake (reward). Over time, this cycle becomes automatic.
Scientists explain that repeating this process strengthens connections in the brain, making the
behavior easier to perform without thinking.

Why Are Habits Important?


Habits help us save mental energy. When a behavior becomes a habit, the brain does not
need to work very hard to complete it. This allows us to use our mental power for more
difficult tasks, like solving problems, planning, or learning new skills. Many successful
people, such as professional athletes, writers, and teachers, build strong daily habits that help
them improve. For instance, a writer who writes every morning without thinking about it is
more likely to complete books and articles than someone who writes only when they feel
motivated.

Changing Habits
Changing a habit is not easy, but it is possible. Experts suggest that starting with small
changes can be very effective. For example, if you want to create a habit of reading, you can
begin by reading for just five minutes after breakfast every day. It is important to be
consistent. Some researchers also recommend habit stacking, which means connecting a new
habit to an old one. For instance, you could decide to read immediately after brushing your
teeth in the evening. Over time, with repetition and patience, the new behavior becomes part
of your daily routine.

Conclusion
In conclusion, habits play a key role in shaping our lives. They influence our health, our
work, and our happiness. By understanding how habits are formed and how they can be
changed, we can create better routines and reach our personal and professional goals.
Building positive habits is not only good for individuals, but also for society as a whole.

Comprehension Questions

1. How do scientists define a habit?


2. What are the three parts of the habit cycle?
3. Why do habits help save mental energy?
4. What is 'habit stacking'? Give an example.
5. Why are habits important for success?
6. What is one example of a good habit and one example of a bad habit?

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