Are habits created consciously or subconsciously?

Habits can indeed be developed both consciously and subconsciously. When habits are formed consciously, an individual is actively aware of their actions and intentionally practices them until they become routine. For instance, someone might decide to exercise regularly and makes a deliberate effort to include workouts in their daily schedule. This conscious effort can lead to the formation of a habit over time, especially once the action becomes automatic.

On the other hand, habits can also form subconsciously, where behaviors are repeated in a context or paired with specific cues without the individual actively choosing to engage in that behavior. For example, a person might find themselves snacking in front of the television simply because that association has developed over time, even if they are not consciously making that choice during each viewing.

This dual nature of habit formation highlights the influence of both deliberate practice and environmental cues, making the option that acknowledges both processes the most accurate representation of how habits are cultivated.