Issue #58 ·
The Psychology of Giving Up: Bad Habits vs Resolutions
🥰 The nuances of giving up, understanding more sources of protein, eating with mindfulness and self-compassion
Hello friends,
Another week in the books! Let’s get into it.
This week in building health 👇
How “Giving Up” Goes Both Ways
It’s about that time of year when New Year’s Resolutions start to fall apart.
And it made me think of the funny phrase “giving up.”
On the one we start the year “giving up” bad habits—quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, or forgoing that tempting chocolate bar.
Giving up bad habits is a step toward better health and well-being. And we celebrate those who give up bad habits, viewing it as a sign of strength.
And then there’s what comes later…
4 weeks later, and you’re “giving up” on your resolution.
You’re just too busy, overwhelmed, and it’s easier to go back to how things used to be.
Giving up is complex.
It can signify self-care or capitulation.
We praise quitting harmful habits and we don’t want to surrender to adversity.
Why We Give Things Up: The Psychology
At the end of the day, we all want to become better people.
We want to change.
And giving up is linked to that.
We want to improve our health, have more control over our emotions, and be healthier happier people.
Recognizing a need for change begins the psychological process.
Often, what we give up is tied to a habit or behavior we perceive as harmful to our well-being or against our values and goals.
So we “give up things” to become different people.
Giving up can mean discarding negative thought patterns, like pessimism or self-doubt, to cultivate a positive outlook.
It's a mental shift from a fixed to a growth mindset, embracing the belief that change is possible and within our control.
Ask Yourself: What are you giving up for?
There is a deeper way of looking at it.
When you “give up,” whether for to break a bad habit or let go of something you’re trying— always keep in mind what the purpose is.
Because “giving up” is not just about eliminating something from your life, it’s to create space for something more meaningful.
You could be letting go of bad habits to be more present.
You could be changing your diet for moral reasons.
Giving up becomes an act of devotion when it is a conscious choice to prioritize higher principles over immediate gratification.
My favorite health things for the week
// one
Mindful Eating- Slowing Down in a Fast Paced World
8 minutes | Marielle Segarra
Eating quickly is a habit I’ve struggled with personally.
But understanding and practicing mindful eating is important for anyone looking to cultivate healthier eating habits.
According to Lilian Cheung, director of mindfulness research and practice at Harvard University, mindful eating is about slowing down and becoming truly aware of our food.
It involves engaging all our senses, acknowledging our emotional connections to food, and understanding the physiological responses to our eating pace.
// two
Best Protein for Vegans and Vegetarians
6 minutes | Healthline
I’m a vegan / vegetarian myself, but it’s useful to understand the many different sources of nutrients.
After all, the basics don’t change.
You will always need some protein, carb, and fat to survive.
Know where you can get some!
// three
Embracing Self-Compassion for Weight Management
8 minutes | Positive Psychology Foundation
It’s easy to get caught up in surface level diet tactics.
“What time should I eat my carbs?”
“Should I do Intermittent Fasting or Keto?”
“What’s the best sugar substitute?”
But that ignored the deeper issue.
Arguably, practicing self-compassion does more for your health and your diet than any of these tactics will ever do
Until next time
Thanks for reading!
I’ve been filling my time this week working on a set of tests to assess how well one would do when it comes to long-term healthy and longevity.
When it feels ready, I can share it with you all.
Have a Healthy Weekend