Habit Stacking with Matiks: Pair a Puzzle with a Daily Habit You Already Have

One of the biggest challenges in forming a new habit is simply remembering to do it. We rely on willpower and reminders, which often fail when life gets busy. But there's a much more effective, science-backed method called "Habit Stacking," popularized by author James Clear. The strategy is brilliantly simple: link your desired new habit to a solid, existing habit. And for building a daily brain-training routine, Matiks is the perfect habit to stack.

The Simple Science of Habit Stacking

Your existing daily habits—like brewing coffee, brushing your teeth, or taking your vitamins—are already wired into your brain. They are strong, automated neural pathways. Habit stacking works by piggybacking a new behavior onto these established routes. The completion of your existing habit becomes the trigger, or cue, for the new one.

The formula is straightforward: After I [CURRENT HABIT], I will [NEW HABIT].

This removes the need for willpower or memory to initiate the new behavior. Your old habit automatically reminds you to do the new one, making the process feel natural and effortless.

Your Matiks Habit Stacking Formula

The key is to identify an existing daily habit that is absolutely guaranteed to happen, and then link a Matiks session directly to it. The brevity and structure of Matiks make it incredibly versatile for stacking. Here are some powerful examples to get you started:

• The Morning Coffee Stack: "After my coffee machine starts brewing, I will complete one Matiks puzzle."
• The Hydration Stack: "After I finish my first glass of water for the day, I will start my Matiks session."
• The Commute Stack: "As soon as I sit down on the train, I will open Matiks."
• The Workday Start-Up Stack: "While my work computer is booting up, I will do my 5-minute Matiks challenge."
• The Evening Wind-Down Stack: "After I brush my teeth at night, I will do one Matiks puzzle."

Why Matiks is Perfectly Designed for Stacking

Not all new habits are easy to stack. A 30-minute workout, for example, is a significant time commitment. Matiks, however, seems almost tailor-made for this strategy.

First, it's short. A 5-minute session or even a single 2-minute puzzle can be slotted into the smallest of gaps in your day, like the time it takes for toast to pop or a kettle to boil. This low time-commitment removes any excuse of being "too busy."

Second, it's self-contained. A Matiks puzzle is a complete task with a clear beginning and end. This provides a satisfying sense of closure.

Third, it provides an immediate reward. Solving a puzzle triggers a small release of dopamine in your brain. This creates a positive feedback loop. Your brain quickly learns that completing the stacked habit (Matiks) after your anchor habit (coffee) leads to a pleasant feeling, which powerfully reinforces the entire chain.

Stop waiting for motivation to strike. Instead, build a system. Identify your anchor habit, stack a Matiks session onto it, and let the power of automated routine build your sharpest mind yet.