13 June 2024
Building new habits can often feel like a tough job, but what if habits are created subconsciously without much effort? Our culture and environment play a huge role in shaping the habits we develop from our early childhood. From the way we eat to how we manage our time, the influences around us can help us form habits without us even realizing it. Let’s see how the culture and environment we grow up in affect our daily routines and behaviors.
Culture plays a big role in shaping our habits. The environment we grow up in, the traditions we follow and the things we see every day all influence our daily routines. For many of us, our habit-building journey began at school, where certain habits were part of everyday life.
At school, everyone had lunch at the same time every day. This routine helped students learn the importance of eating at regular intervals. The school culture also emphasized cleanliness. Students were encouraged to keep their outfits clean and be hygienic. This environment made it easier to develop the habits of eating on time, keeping clothes neat and maintaining personal hygiene. The culture at school played a huge role in shaping these healthy habits.
Moreover, if people around us finish tasks and assignments on time, it motivates us to do the same from a young age. Seeing others follow good schedules, whether it’s for going out or sticking to deadlines, helps us build similar habits.
The place we grow up also impacts our sleeping schedule. At home, we might have to sleep early, get up early, and take part in household chores or study in the early morning.
Friends and family are powerful helpers in building habits. Their support and encouragement can make the process more enjoyable. A supportive circle of friends and family can play a key role in the journey to better habits.
Best friends can be the greatest motivators. When you decide to start exercising daily, having a friend join in can make workouts fun. If a few friends are discussing books regularly, it tempts the one who is not reading to start reading and that leads to a habit over time. Even the fear of consequences by watching friends or family members like not brushing our teeth which causes tooth decay encourages us to stick to daily routines.
At home, families can join the habit-building journey together. Making small changes as a team, like reducing screen time before bed and adding more veggies to meals, can create a supportive environment where new habits can grow. Sharing progress and celebrating small victories together makes the process rewarding.
Additionally, if people around us follow good schedules, it helps us develop similar habits. Seeing family members stick to their routines, like reading newspaper every morning or cleaning the house regularly can encourage us to do the same. Watching others manage their time effectively like completing tasks on time inspires us to be punctual and organized.
However, the influence of friends and family isn't always positive. Many bad habits, like smoking and drinking often start with peer pressure. Seeing friends or family members smoke or drink can make these habits seem acceptable or even attractive. This shows how strong social influence can be in both good and bad ways, shaping our habits and behaviors significantly.
Here’s a story about Bunny and how he turned his daily life into a fun time to build habits.
Bunny is a 16-year-old kid who hates eating vegetables. One day, his mom sent him to a nearby shopping mart to get some vegetables. To his surprise, he saw a few new vegetables that looked colorful and yummy. He brought them home and asked his mom to cook with these new vegetables, one at a time. She cooked different recipes and they both rated each dish. By the end of this little adventure, Bunny discovered a love for veggies and gathered a collection of favorite recipes. The fun and exploration turned a hard task into an exciting habit.
Bunny saw his grandfather meditating every day and learned that it could help increase focus and productivity. But when he started he didn’t like sitting for so long. So, he looked for alternatives and found mindfulness exercises on YouTube. It mentioned being aware of the surroundings, so every day Bunny took a few minutes to observe and write down different sounds, smells and sights during his meditation session. This playful approach made meditation something Bunny looked forward to every day. By the end of the month he had developed a keen sense of awareness and a habit of daily mindfulness.
Building habits can be fun and rewarding, especially when influenced by our culture, friends, and family. These stories show that even simple, everyday actions can lead to strong, positive habits. By paying attention to our environment and the people around us, we can create routines that improve our lives and make us happier and healthier.