Resolve to break 5 common BAD HABITS THIS YEAR

In our special New Year cover story, we suggest ways and means for families to quit ubiquitous bad habits and develop new healthy, life-enriching lifestyles

- KIRAN BALIMANE & CYNTHIA JOHN

Traditionally the start of the globally dominant Gregorian calender New Year is the time for making new resolutions and new beginnings. People worldover resolve to put the setbacks and disappointments of the past 12 months behind them and venture once more unto the breach with expectation of greater success.

In the 21st century context, New Year Resolutions are likely to include committing to a healthier lifestyle, learning a new skill, reducing digital screen time, and dedicating more time to family. Yet it is also well-known that New Year Resolutions (NYRs) are broken as quickly as they are made. Eighty percent of people forget their NYRs by the second week of February. Nonetheless, the tradition of people resolving to do better in the new year persists.

In our new year special cover story, we suggest ways and means for families to quit five common bad habits and develop new healthy, life-enriching lifestyles. Unlike impulsive resolutions that tend to focus on a specific goal or change, changing deeply entrenched injurious habits is a more worthwhile resolution. According to a 2009 study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, it takes 18-254 days for people to form a new habit and 66 days for “new behaviour to become automatic”.

ParentsWorld interviewed knowledgeable psychologists, paediatricians and nutritionists to present expert recommendations on five ubiquitous bad habits to break in 2025. Breaking these bad habits adversely affecting physical health and mental well-being is the “prerequisite of personal and academic/professional success,” according to Noida-based psychologist Swati Rajput.

BAD HABIT 1: OVERTHINKING