Written by Vanessa Melendez, B.S.

Reference: Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H., Potts, H. W., & Wardle, J. (2009). How are habits formed: Modelling Habit Formation in the real world.  European Journal of Social Psychology, 40(6), 998–1009. 

Want to form a new healthy habit?  How long will it take? Prior research shows performing the same behavior at a specific time and place, gradually forms the habit until the behavior occurs consistently, daily, without struggle. 

To explore the habit creation process, United Kingdom researchers asked participants to set a goal and select a healthy new eating, drinking, or exercise behavior to engage in each day at the same time for 80 days. On the study website participants daily logged whether they engaged in the new habit. They answered questions assessing habit strength.

Results? The habit process showed participants gradually, more consistently engaging in their reported habit. Only 4 did not establish a new habit. The average time to form a daily habit was 66 days, ranging from 18 to 254 days—no matter whether it was eating, drinking, or exercise. 

Keep in mind, people take different amounts of time to develop habits. Keep your goal in mind. Try being consistent while establishing a new habit: this is key! Realize it takes two months on average to form a new habit! Don’t give up!! Set your eye on your goal!