How Long Does It Take to Form a Habit: Scientists Answer
Bad habits appear by themselves, and then you have to think about how to get rid of them.
As for useful habits, you need to work on them long and hard. The process is not always successful. Some lack the strength for the habit, others - the time.
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology have found out how long it takes for a person to form a habit.
The results of the study were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
It turns out that a lot depends on the goal. For example, in order for sports to become a habit, it will take 6 months.
If we are talking about the habit of washing hands, then a few weeks is enough for this.
There is no universal period for habit formation, not even an average indicator.
This means that previously published data that it takes three weeks to form a habit is not scientifically substantiated.
Using machine learning and analysis, we were able to prove using sports as an example that the rate of habit development is influenced by the intensity of the exercise.
That is, the less often you show up at the gym, the later sport will become a habit.
