What is task-bracketing?

Task-bracketing refers to the neural process that frames events happening just before the initiation and just after the completion of a habit. This process is mediated by a region in the basal ganglia known as the dorsolateral striatum (DLS). The DLS becomes active at the start and end of a habit, effectively "bracketing" the habit. This bracketing sets a neural imprint, making the habit more likely to be executed consistently, even under less ideal conditions such as poor sleep or high stress.

Task-bracketing helps in making habits less context-dependent and more robust. This means that even on difficult days, such as when you're distracted or tired, you're more likely to carry out certain ingrained habits (like brushing your teeth in the morning) consistently. This solidification of habits through task-bracketing can be leveraged to form new habits or reinforce existing ones, enhancing their resilience and automaticity 1.

This understanding was detailed by Andrew Huberman in the The Science of Making & Breaking Habits on the Huberman Lab.