Britannica Dictionary definition of HABIT: a usual way of behaving: something that a person does often in a regular and repeated way.
Habits can be categorized as follows:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Social
- Moral
- Intellectual
A study conducted at University College London (UK) revealed that it takes approximately 66 days to form a habit. According to Jane Wardle, co-author of the study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, "if you repeat something every day in the same situation during this time, it becomes an automatic reaction."
The formation of habits facilitates the acquisition of socio-emotional competencies and the development of essential skills.
The process of habit formation differs based on age:
- Ages 3 to 12: During this period, children develop their ethical and moral frameworks, and the formation of habits relies heavily on the consistency and structured guidance provided by adults. These habits typically persist into adolescence.
- Ages 12 and up: By this age, the ethical and moral structure is established, making habit formation and alteration contingent upon the individual's will and motivation.
