How Long Does It Really Take to Break a Habit?

We all have our habits: Procrastinating, knuckle cracking, drinking too much caffeine — you know the deal. But if you're looking to quit yours, then how long does it take to break a habit?

First, to gauge whether a habit is helpful or harmful, performance psychologist Haley Perlus, PhD, recommends asking yourself:

• Does my habit jeopardize my physical or mental health?
• Does my habit waste my energy and time?
• Does my habit prevent me from accomplishing my goals?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your habit isn't useful. "Once the habit is not beneficial to you — like biting your nails or texting while driving — you should take it as a sign to try and break it," Perlus says.

Here, Perlus explains how long it takes to kick a habit to the curb, plus tips for how to do it successfully.

Turns out there's no magic number for how long it takes to break a habit. "The amount of time it may take can vary from person to person and depends on the kind of habit you're trying to stop," Perlus says.

While there is limited research regarding this topic, one older small study from July 2009 in ‌European Journal of Social Psychology‌ found it took participants anywhere from 18 to 254 days to alter a habit related to poor eating, drinking less alcohol and starting exercise.

Most people fell somewhere in the middle, taking an average of 66 days to shift their routine patterns. Still, this number isn't set in stone, and newer, larger studies are needed to better establish an average timeline.

Plus, everyone's situation is unique. So rather than focus on time, concentrate on consistency, which appears to be the key to kicking a habit in the long run. Case in point: The same researchers found that those who repeated a behavior most frequently — especially early in the process — had better outcomes.

Quitting a habit is difficult but not impossible. If you're intentional, consistent and patient, you can boot a behavior that's not in your self-interest. Here are some strategies, courtesy of Perlus:

Spend time tracking your behavior and identify what triggers it, Perlus says. For example, you may tend to bite your nails if you're feeling stressed or bored.

When you better understand what causes you to lean on a habit, you have a better shot at disrupting and deviating from the pattern, she says.

"Your surroundings can have a significant impact on your habits," Perlus says. Your environment — including the people you spend time with — can either help or hinder your goal of breaking a behavior pattern.

Modifying your space allows you to set yourself up for a successful outcome, Perlus says. "For example, if you procrastinate, you may want to set up a workspace that does not contain a TV, game console or any other distractions that take away from your focus," she says.

Similarly, if you're trying to quit smoking, you may need to distance yourself from the pals you usually puff with to help you stick to your intentions.

"Breaking a habit can be one of the most difficult tasks to take on," Perlus says. So don't forget to acknowledge how far you've come and celebrate the little wins, no matter how long it takes to break a habit.

This will also help you stay motivated. "If you focus on the progress you've made rather than the minor slip-ups, you can boost your confidence and increase your drive to keep going forward," Perlus says.

Breaking a habit that's not useful is an amazing feat. And swapping it with a healthier behavior is icing on the cake.

‌"‌If you start repeating a new behavior in place of an old one, it can make it easier to replace the unwanted habit," Perlus says. Plus, when the new habit promotes good health, it's a win-win.

For example, instead of cracking your knuckles when you're bored (old habit), you can reach for a fidget spinner or stress ball (new habit).