Why You Self-Sabotage and How to Stop

This podcast episode explains the "extinction burst," a psychological phenomenon where attempts to break a bad habit lead to a temporary intensification of that habit before eventual cessation. The host uses examples like emotional eating, procrastination, and toxic relationships to illustrate how the brain resists change by creating a "last-ditch effort" to maintain old reward patterns. He provides five steps to overcome this: expect the burst, ride the wave of cravings, stay committed, make it hard to revert, and celebrate progress. Understanding and navigating the extinction burst is crucial for successful habit change and personal growth.