How to reach your goals one step at a time by sticking to daily habits

Why is it so difficult to ditch a bad habit or maintain a good one? The answer is in the brain, writes Dr Catherine Conlon

With the formation of a new routine, brain circuits or neural networks are activated, making the habit automatic and subconscious. T

We are all creatures of habit. Whether we want to to improve our fitness or to eat better, to spend less time on TikTok or screens, many of us regularly strive to ditch our unhealthy habits, start afresh, and become fitter, stronger, more focused, more attentive to our families and friends, and ultimately happier.

Nearly half of us fail. A study published in PLOS One (2020) followed more than 1,000 participants who made resolutions for one year to track their success in introducing a new habit or breaking a bad one. The most popular resolutions were physical health, weight loss, and eating habits.