A new place can break an old habit

One version says habits live inside you, so they come along wherever you go. The other says a fresh start wipes the slate.

Both can sound true. The study below shows when each one holds.

Researchers followed students who transferred to a new university. They looked at three habits: exercise, reading the paper, and watching TV.

The habits lasted only when parts of the setting did not change. One example was still reading the paper with other people.

When the setting changed, the habit was disrupted. In some cases, people then acted on what they meant to do instead.

The move also changed what people intended. But changed intentions alone could not explain why the habits broke up.

These were students and simple daily habits. The study does not say a move ends a pattern with people.

It did not test The Archivist Method.

A habit came along when parts of its setting came along. A pattern can travel the same way. So the useful skill is to catch its start, wherever you are.

Behavioral Interception is the practice of catching an automatic pattern as it begins, intercepting its usual response, and practicing a different action until it becomes more natural.

Start with the body signal, the first physical sign in your chest, throat or jaw. Feel it and name the pattern. Then change one part of the setting, and choose again.