What is habit stacking?

• A. Increasing habit duration gradually
• B. Doing habits in a random order
• C. Linking a new habit to an existing cue to form routines
• D. Tracking habit frequency

Answer: (C)

Habit stacking is when you attach a new behavior to an existing habit, using the wake-up or finishing cue of something you already do as the trigger. By pairing the new action with a well-established routine, the cue becomes a reliable prompt that helps the new habit take hold and become automatic. For example, after you brush your teeth in the morning, you immediately jot down a quick 2-minute plan for the day. This linking keeps the new habit anchored to a concrete cue, making it easier to remember and repeat. Other ideas like simply making the habit longer, doing tasks in a random order, or just tracking how often you do things don’t create that automatic, cue-driven routine the same way habit stacking does.