The Science Behind Habit Formation & How to Make Them Stick

Habits are the small, daily behaviours that shape our lives, influencing our work, career, personal life, and overall happiness. Its 21st century and habits rule the behavioural psychology , routine building, self discipline of a human being. Understanding how habits form and how to make them stick is crucial for success in all endeavours. Research by Phillippa Lally, a health psychology researcher at University College London, reveals that it takes an average of 66 days to make a new habit automatic, debunking the common myth of 21 days. The Habit Loop Habits are formed through a loop of four stages: Cue, Craving, Response, and Reward. Let’s explore each stage in detail: Cue The Cue is the first stage and involves a trigger that initiates a behaviour. It’s a piece of information that predicts a reward. Our prehistoric ancestors were attuned to cues indicating food, water, and safety. Today, cues can be related to money, fame, approval, or personal fulfilment. To effectively star...