A growing body of health science suggests devotion, not sheer willpower, may be the better route to lasting habits and wellbeing. A recent CNN feature, published June 26, 2025, surveys expert perspectives and real-life stories to challenge the idea that self-control alone builds sustainable change. In Thailand’s fast-moving society, the question of how to foster healthier routines—diet, exercise, digital balance, and self-care—feels increasingly urgent.
Traditionally, discipline has been held up as the key to success in classrooms, workplaces, and gyms. Thai families, educators, and popular culture often equate achievement with strict self-control. Yet health psychology and behavioral science leaders worldwide are offering a different lens. Across Thai life, routines intersect with mindfulness and self-compassion rooted in Buddhist culture, inviting people to view health as a gentler, more meaningful practice.
The article differentiates between discipline, devotion, and habit. Social media influencers have emphasized discipline as essential for forming new habits. New voices counter that lasting change may stem from devotion—a self-chosen sense of care and purpose—rather than constant struggle. Liv, an artist and content creator, embodies this approach by turning daily actions like cooking and self-care into acts of devotion—patient, respectful, and connected to meaningful goals rather than mere obligation.
Researchers describe how habits form through repeated cues in daily contexts, eventually becoming automatic. A senior psychologist from USC Dornsife notes that “you don’t have to try or make a decision to form habits.” In contrast, discipline requires ongoing mental energy and conscious effort, which may not be sustainable long-term. When self-control looks effortless in others, it often means their choices have become automatic.
A Harvard Business School expert on ritual emphasizes that rituals differ from habits and discipline. Rituals carry emotion and meaning, creating belonging and joy. When routine order is disrupted, discomfort can reveal that a practice has become a ritual or a devotion, not an automatic habit.
These distinctions have clear relevance for Thailand, where personal improvement sits between New Year resolutions and daily demands. Some Thai workers follow company rules with discipline, while others cultivate meaningful rituals—such as morning almsgiving or park evening strolls—from personal motivation. Clinical psychology professionals cited in the piece emphasize that approaches vary by person and situation: workplace routines may benefit from discipline, while personal health behaviors thrive on devotion.
There is no one-size-fits-all prescription. A psychologist and author of a guide on transforming self-defeating behavior emphasizes understanding one’s motives—internal or external, short-term or deeply purposeful. For example, aiming to lose weight for a wedding can spark disciplined actions, but lasting change tends to come when goals align with inner values and meaning.
For Thai readers, where mindfulness is already woven into daily life, devotion resonates on cultural and personal levels. National health initiatives increasingly encourage finding self-compassion and intrinsic meaning in healthy choices. School mindfulness programs, temple-based stress relief, and community elder care illustrate a shift toward gentle repetition and personal significance over rigid enforcement.
Challenges remain. Societal expectations around academic and career success can push young Thais toward viewing self-improvement as relentless willpower. The rapid spread of technology and social media may glamorize “grind culture,” producing cycles of start, fail, and restart that breed self-blame. Experts caution that lasting change requires patience and compassion. Many studies suggest breaking large goals into smaller, rewarding steps builds a sustainable path, grounded in patience and self-respect.
Looking ahead, these insights could reshape how Thais pursue health and education goals—from urban schools to rural health posts. With mental health and emotional wellbeing gaining official attention—from stress resilience campaigns by the Ministry of Public Health to school counseling—devotion-based strategies may become more common. International research supports the idea that meaningful, emotionally positive activities foster better habit formation than rote routines.
For individuals seeking change—whether it’s carving out quiet time, preparing nutritious meals, reducing smartphone use, or learning new skills—the message is practical: start with small, meaningful steps. Rather than a wholesale overhaul driven by discipline alone, cultivate devotion by identifying what truly matters and structure routines as self-honoring rituals. Reward consistency and show compassion when routines falter. By embracing Thailand’s traditions of mindfulness, caring communities, and inner reflection, people can build habits that are not only sustainable but deeply satisfying.
If you’d like to dive deeper, consider exploring research and perspectives that emphasize devotion and ritual as pathways to healthier living. Research by respected institutions and thought leaders shows that habit formation is more enduring when activities carry personal meaning and positive emotion.