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Happy New Year, 2024!!
A new year and a new beginning...
As humans we seem to be obsessed with new starts and changing habits. New Year's Day has the tradition of people making fresh starts and "New Year Resolutions". A time to break bad habits, organize ourselves and think positively.
How long does it take to form a habit? People have heard 21-30 days as the rule. However, scientific studies have recently looked into this adage and determined it to be somewhat of a myth. It depends on the person and situation.
According to a study titled, "What can machine learning teach us about habit formation? Evidence from exercise and hygiene" which was funded by Caltech, they studied handwashing during hospital shifts and gym swipes at 24 Hour Fitness. The data tracked over 30,000 gym members over 4 years and over 3000 workers over 100 hospital shifts.
Using RFID technology for hand washing and gym card swipes they found that on average a gym habit is built in about 6 months and handwashing in a few weeks.
Clavin, Whitney. "No Magic Number for Time it Form Habits". Caltech Weekly. April 17, 2023.
https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/no-magic-number-for-time-it-takes-to-form-habits
Depending on the habit it can take between 18-254 to build a habit with 66 days being average. Looking to develop a new habit? Eating healthier? Exercise? Organization? We have a book for that!
Check out KOHA in Library Services and select from our wide collection.
Happy New Year!
Coastal Alabama Library Services
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