January 2nd, 2025

Supercharge Your New Years Resolutions: How to Form Habits That Stick

Each year, millions of us set New Year’s resolutions with high hopes—whether it’s getting fitter, feeling healthier, or adopting a new habit. Yet, by February, many find themselves slipping back into old routines. What makes some people succeed while others struggle? It’s not just about willpower—it’s about using smart, science-backed strategies and, for some, incorporating innovative health solutions like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) to enhance motivation, energy, and well-being. This year, set yourself up for success by combining actionable habits with tools designed to help you thrive.

What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

HBOT involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurised chamber, significantly increasing the oxygen available to tissues throughout the body. This enhanced oxygenation promotes healing, reduces inflammation, and supports brain health.

Research shows that HBOT improves brain activity and cognitive function. For instance, a study involving healthy older adults demonstrated enhanced performance in tasks requiring attention, executive function, and information processing after undergoing HBOT. These cognitive improvements can play a critical role in habit formation and motivation, as they make it easier to focus on goals and sustain effort over time.

How HBOT Can Help Form New Habits?

Dopamine, often called the "motivation molecule," is essential for goal-directed behaviour and habit formation. Low dopamine levels are associated with reduced drive, making it harder to initiate and sustain new habits. It drives the anticipation of rewards and reinforces actions by strengthening neural pathways, making behaviours more likely to be repeated (Schultz, 2016). When dopamine levels are optimized, individuals experience improved focus, energy, and the ability to initiate and sustain positive habits, which are essential for achieving long-term goals.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been shown to increase dopamine levels by enhancing oxygen delivery to the brain, stimulating neurotransmitter release, and promoting neural repair (Efrati et al., 2013). The increased oxygenation supports mitochondrial function and neuroplasticity, enabling the repair of neural circuits involved in dopamine production. This not only improves mood and mental clarity but also strengthens the biological processes that underlie habit formation and sustained motivation.

As an adjunctive therapy, HBOT is particularly effective for individuals pursuing resolutions related to better physical health, mental well-being, or lifestyle changes. By addressing both the biological and psychological aspects of motivation, HBOT helps individuals stay consistent, overcome obstacles, and remain on track toward their goals.

Moreover, HBOT's ability to reduce neuroinflammation can create a healthier brain environment, allowing dopamine pathways to function optimally. These changes may indirectly boost dopamine availability, reinforcing the brain's reward system and strengthening motivation to pursue positive behaviours.

How This Helps Form New Habits and Increase Motivation:

Forming new habits requires consistent effort, focus, and a sense of reward to reinforce the behavior. HBOT can contribute to habit formation in several ways:

- Enhanced Reward Sensitivity: Dopamine plays a crucial role in the brain's reward system. By potentially boosting dopamine activity, HBOT makes the brain more responsive to positive feedback, reinforcing new behaviours and accelerating habit formation.

- Improved Cognitive Clarity: Cognitive functions like focus, memory, and decision-making are essential for establishing routines. HBOT has been shown to enhance these abilities, making it easier to stick to habits over time.

- Stress Reduction: Chronic stress can derail efforts to build habits. HBOT's anti-inflammatory effects may reduce stress levels, creating a more conducive environment for behavioral change.

For example, studies on individuals with traumatic brain injuries—a condition often associated with impaired cognitive function—have shown that HBOT can significantly improve mood, attention, and mental clarity. These benefits are equally relevant for healthy individuals seeking to optimize their cognitive performance and motivation.

Conclusion

The process of building new habits and staying motivated doesn’t have to rely solely on willpower. HBOT offers a cutting-edge approach to enhance brain function, regulate dopamine levels, and create an environment conducive to forming lasting habits. By incorporating this therapy into your routine, you can maximize your chances of success in achieving your New Year goals.

**References:**

1. Hadanny, A., & Efrati, S. (2016). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can enhance brain activity and neuroplasticity in post-stroke and traumatic brain injury patients. *Frontiers in Neuroscience.*

2. Harch, P. G., & Fogarty, E. F. (2017). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of chronic neurological conditions. *Medical Gas Research.*

3. Barak, O. F., et al. (2020). Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on cognitive performance in healthy older adults. *ScienceDirect.*

4. Chavko, M., et al. (2008). Hyperbaric oxygen effects on inflammatory markers and neurotransmitter balance in the brain. *Journal of Neuroscience Research.*