Forming new habits involves creation of new neural pathways

DEAR DOCTORS: My husband and I actually make a few resolutions for the new year. This year, I skipped it because I never follow through, and I wind up feeling bad about myself. My husband did OK for about a month, but now he’s also quit trying. Why are resolutions so hard to keep?

- DR EVE GLAZIER & DR ELIZABETH KO

DEAR READER: As the launch pad for a fresh start, New Year’s Day is pretty irresistible. It’s like resolving to a month (or year, if you’ve started at Halloween) of celebratory eating, drinking and socialising. By the time we crack open that brand-new calendar, we’re ready to face some change.

But what if we think of those changes as resolutions — lose weight, exercise more, save money, quit sugar, quit smoking, spend less time on social media — what they really boil down to are plans to form a new habit. And that’s where things get tricky.