Why Do All Bad Habits Seem to Involve Putting Stuff in Your Mouth?
Understanding the Psychology Behind Oral Fixations and Habit Loops Have you ever noticed that many of the habits we label as “bad” revolve around putting something in our mouths? Whether it’s cigarettes, junk food, alcohol, chewing gum, biting nails, or even constantly sipping coffee—our mouths get a lot of action when we’re stressed, bored, or trying to self-soothe. So, what gives? Why do our brains love using our mouths as a go-to coping mechanism? Let’s break it down. The Root of Oral Fixation: It Starts Early In psychology, the concept of oral fixation was first introduced by Sigmund Freud. He theorized that during infancy (the oral stage of development), babies experience the world primarily through their mouths—feeding, exploring, and self-soothing through sucking. If certain emotional needs aren’t fully met during that stage (or if they’re overindulged), some people may unconsciously carry those oral cravings into adulthood. This can manifest in habits like: ...
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