The Craving Mind by Judson Brewer
Judson Brewer is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who studies habits and mindfulness. In this book (published in 2017) he explains how the brain’s reward-based learning, the same system that helped our ancestors remember where food was, can keep us stuck in loops with things like smoking, eating, our phones and even worrying.
What I appreciate is that he doesn’t treat habits as a failure of willpower. He describes the cycle of trigger, behaviour and reward in plain language, and suggests that paying close, curious attention to how a habit actually feels can change our relationship with it. He draws on his own research as well as stories from people he has worked with.
It’s not a self-help manual with a step-by-step programme, and it isn’t a replacement for working with a professional. It’s more of an explanation of why we do what we do, which many people find useful on its own.
Why you might enjoy it: If you’ve ever wondered why you reach for your phone without thinking, or why some habits are so hard to shift, Brewer offers a thoughtful and fairly gentle look at what’s going on.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I’d love to hear whether this one changed how you think about your own habits. Share your thoughts in the comments.
Want to read more?
