r/science • u/chrisdh79 • Oct 09 '24

Neuroscience Your Brain Changes Based on What You Did Two Weeks Ago | A workout or restless night from two weeks ago could still be affecting you—positively or negatively—today.

https://www.newsweek.com/brain-changes-neuroscience-exercise-sleep-health-two-weeks-1965107
27.0k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

538 comments sorted by

View all comments

28

u/awc130 Oct 09 '24

I have read before that habit formation happens ~2 weeks. That is the window when commitment to an activity becomes reactionary rather self motivated.

33

u/banduzo Oct 09 '24

There have been studies that have debunked that. Habit formation takes longer and varies based on what you’re trying to make a habit (although some simple habits may take a minimum 3 weeks).

31

u/deskbeetle Oct 09 '24

I don't know if it's my adhd or just my personality. But I will be consistently doing a habit for months. And forget to do it a single day and just never do it again.

8

u/flaming_burrito_ Oct 09 '24

Same, also ADHD. It’s so hard for me to maintain schedules because of that. As soon as I miss something once, my brain goes “well I already missed it once, it doesn’t matter if I miss again” and it’s just gone.

6

u/deskbeetle Oct 09 '24

I had a 75 day duolingo streak. Missed once and haven't opened the app since. Reminders I set for myself make me resentful of...me? The app? I don't know why I am like this.

6

u/LeewardPolarBear Oct 09 '24

It has to be adhd, I'm the same way, and I'm severely medicated, too. My habit formation and short term memory are terrible.

6

u/deskbeetle Oct 09 '24

I don't have any basic habits. I have to remember and decide to brush my teeth every single day. And everything is like that.

3

u/1deavourer Oct 09 '24

That's ridiculously untrue

2

u/olive_owl_ Oct 09 '24

Oh goodness, 2 weeks, I wish.

1

u/RepentantSororitas Oct 09 '24

I wish it was. I could be doing something for months, have one exception to it, and next thing I know I let go of that habit.