Creating a “bridge habit” is an innovative approach in the field of habit change. This concept hinges on the notion of creating an intermediary habit that closely resembles the old habit in its form but varies greatly in terms of content and potential harm. A bridge habit is essentially a ‘place-holder’ that reduces the shock of sudden change, making the transition smoother. It allows individuals to feel the comfort of a familiar routine while gradually distancing themselves from the harmful aspects of the bad habit.

For instance, consider the case of Richard, a heavy scotch drinker. Like many individuals striving to break a detrimental habit, Richard faced the daunting task of not only eradicating the physical act of drinking scotch but also dealing with the ingrained routine associated with it. The bridge habit he devised ingeniously tackled both these aspects.

By replacing the scotch in the bottle with tea, Richard found a healthier substitute for the harmful substance itself. Yet, he didn’t stop there. He poured the tea into the same type of bottle and even used the same rocks glass to drink it, thereby maintaining the routine and the rituals he associated with the habit. The bottle still looked like a bottle of scotch, and the process of pouring and drinking remained unchanged, thus preserving the comfort and familiarity of the old routine.

Let’s consider another creative example. Suppose Lisa has a habit of scrolling through social media for hours before bed, affecting her sleep quality. To change this, she could implement a bridge habit. Instead of trying to quit cold turkey, she could switch her late-night scrolling from social media to an e-book reader app with a dark mode and no notifications. She’d still be scrolling on her device, which feels familiar, but the content would be more focused and less stimulating, reducing the chances of disrupted sleep.

In both these scenarios, the bridge habit serves as a stepping stone, a bridge that helps individuals traverse the chasm between their old, damaging habits and their new, healthier ones. It’s a clever method that leverages the power of familiarity and routine while transforming the core of the habit, making habit change more achievable and less daunting.