Approximately how long does it take for sustained efforts to turn a new habit into a maintained one?

The process of turning a new habit into a maintained one typically takes around six months of sustained effort. Research indicates that while some individuals may start to see changes in their behavior sooner, the majority benefit from consistent engagement over this period to solidify a habit.

During these six months, various factors contribute to the establishment of a new habit. This timeframe allows for repeated practice, reinforcement, and adjustment, enabling the individual to overcome barriers, solidify routines, and integrate the behavior into their daily life. The six-month mark represents a significant period where the novelty of a new behavior matures into a more automatic response.

Longer periods—like nine months or one year—might be emphasized in certain contexts, but they may skew the perception of habit formation to seem unnecessarily lengthy. The key takeaway is that six months is often recognized as a realistic and attainable goal for many, laying the groundwork for sustained behavior change.