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A habit is a behavior that has been repeated enough times to become automatic. Habits are performed with little conscious thought and are driven by neural pathways that the brain creates to conserve energy and cognitive resources.
The habit loop, described by Charles Duhigg, consists of three components: 1) Cue (the trigger that initiates the behavior), 2) Routine (the behavior itself), and 3) Reward (the benefit you gain from the behavior). This loop drives all habitual behavior.
The cue is the trigger that tells your brain to initiate a behavior. Cues can be a time of day, a location, an emotional state, other people, or a preceding action. Identifying cues is the first step to changing or building habits.
The routine is the actual behavior or action you perform in response to the cue. It can be physical (going for a run), mental (thinking positively), or emotional (feeling proud). This is the habit itself—the part most people try to change.
The reward is the positive outcome that reinforces the habit loop. It satisfies a craving and tells the brain this loop is worth remembering. Rewards can be physical (endorphins), emotional (sense of accomplishment), or social (praise from others).