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A Simple Way to Break a Bad Habit | Judson Brewer | TED

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“

So, according to science, we're basically the innocent victims of our own evolution! 😁Some brain part is to blame for our bad habits because it goes offline at the wrong moment, and our bad behavior is just the inevitable consequence of previous events (determinism). 😆

— @sonamansuryann

Can we break bad habits by being more curious about them? Psychiatrist Judson Brewer studies the relationship between mindfulness and addiction — from smoking to overeating to all those other things we do even though we know they're bad for us. Learn more about the mechanism of habit development and discover a simple but profound tactic that might help you beat your next urge to smoke, snack or check a text while driving.

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You're welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know.

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“

Holy yap Unc🥀🥀🥀

— @lowki-i8p

More User Perspectives

بابت زیرنویس فارسی بسیار ممنون ❤

@Alicemalika-i2x

Thanks ❤

@Humway45

❤

@mupinicreativestudios1997

this vid is beautiful

@ngoclinhbui3877

2026🎉

@BilolBotirov-i2t

Very helpful

@LeadTalks25

me watching a video about bad habit to make my bad habit of watching videos go away(magically):

@Maja-q9t

We found it. The dumbest ted.

@mawthafawkka

What about gambling?

@JulianahTonade

I know, I also never play games and play football 😢😢😢😢😢 please

@inhnguyenhoang4369

My Mother cured me of ever wanting to smoke by smoking like a chimney in the house while growing up. Drove me absolutely bananas! Never smoked even 1 cigarette. Thanks Mom! 🙏

@MisfitsFiendClub138

ทุกสิ่งที่มีค่าได้ด้วยมือ ของคุณเองเท่านั้น หัวใจความตั้งใจทำให้มันลำค่าประเมินค่ามิได้ในอนาคต มิมีผู้ใดขัดขวางใจของคุณได้หากคุณมีใจที่บริสุทธิ์ต่อฉัน ภัยอันตรายทั้งปวงไม่มีค่าพอจะหยุดหยั้งคุณถ้าคุณไม่ใช่คนที่หยุดมั่นไว้กับที่ด้วยหัวใจของคุณเอง ฉันรอคุณอยู่นะคะ รอมือคุณที่ประเมินค่าไม่ได้ เด็กหญิงตัวเล็กบนแผ่นดินไทย God Mojikoa To Elon😊❤❤❤❤

@GodMojikoa

I will come back after 6 months on this video. Stay updated guys!

@prabeshpaudel9218

Breaking habits is hard because you not only need to do one thing. You need to do something else. Let's say you want to quit drinking or smoking. You have to do something else to help that heal. That's why they call it diet and exercise. When you exercise you have to do something else ... diet.

@thelyon3791

when I see this video I will start smoking😀

@muhsinbek_oo5

Pls, who will summarize the video in a simple way for me?

@UmarLawansaid

Myself came here to practice english and listening to english show, which will help a lot in my journey.

@online_reviezz

Can this apply to quitting masterbation

@harshitjain5551

No offence this is bs... Who's a smoker who would smoke and be like let me be mindful about how my body feels.. if someone was to do that they would smoke more... It's like saying don't think about a bear.. then you keep thinking about a bear. Total BullSh*t

@Anonnomous1818

watching this at 12:11pm little bit drunk cause i want to change my life, i will be back to this comment after 5 years ago today is 2026 i will be back in 2031 bye

@LegacyofTechnology

Bad habit lead me to this video😂

@modather15-p9i

Could this also work the other way around, where instead of being less interested, you actually become more interested and fascinated by the ins and outs of the addiction or the bad habit?

@LoicBafort

Btw, i’m smoked and got it here. Damnn

@azlanidris1977

I promise my self to my entire life never watch movies, never open Movierulz, cinema releated stuff, celebraties, nonsense on youtube
I'm promise my 18 years self on 20-04-26
And comeback again on new year 2027 and I will say I quit my addiction

@Skeleton9999-y7u

❤

@samalidinushika9206

i like the part you say im not quitting smoking im gaining health

@vanisamaroo

Really engaging content kept me interested from start to finish!

@0hmy_G0DZ

2026 - how to quit addiction to Instagram 😂

@Vaijayantik

I love this video i think i will try this

@CrazyMJJ

How to get rid of procrastination?

@vidhyas.3613

I can’t believe how helpful this was, amazing job!

@김창호-s8c4s

Title wise, well I'm not majorly toxic/ghetto as well but from being exposed in a situation with some moderate similarities, there's some enjoyment that comes out of the experience, the downfall is as a whole were not complete. Anyways, from being exposed there's good strengths depending on the scenario but the tragedy is lack of exposure for ghettos within a discomfort. Anyways, I think what happens from being exposed to a ghetto or anyone you gain insight but the struggle is finding who you are as a whole and me I multitasked with obsessed political pple annoyingly/adapt, nonsocial media pple,phd without a degree, toxic ghetto and for me is how could I express myself as a whole if a toxic ghetto or a political person cant get along with issues/faults on both ends same with a phd without a degree as well or local musicians. History wise/politics/presidency, well I side with a ghetto and we don't need to read but we can see the obvious of a situation where others can't and thats what happens of being sheldon cooper politically and inclined

@SMD24

damn bit of a tough crowd but great talk!

@Roadrunner-k7q

Who’s here in 2026

@Naman2.0-h9t

anyone watching in 2026?

@muhammadfahri5163

Jibberish

@TC-mr6zg

I didn't understand anything

@MysteryCookie006

I wonder if this method can save me from PMO? Let's see, I'll try it now

@mfahmijrs

I have stressed eating and I spend a lot (retail therapy)

I'm gonna come back once it work for me...

@whatisthat1585

Thankyou for sharing great way to leave bad habits❤❤

@Apprroachtheinfinity555

Bad habits mainly came from curiosity.

@movie6819

Mindful doomscrolling

@christabelamade

🤡

@daonguyen2109-luh

basically i want to break the habit of watching tedx

@Studyboy-u3c

Small actions every day can completely change your future.

@AetherLeaf-n4v

My bad habit is scrolling on social media all day long.I hope my career will help to break that bad habit because I'm gonna be a seafarer and I'm gonna join my 1st ship after a few days 😂

@a-v-a-t-a-r

#TED Talk #TED Talks #Judson Brewer #addiction #mindfulness #meditation #psychiatry