REWARD YOURSELF!

There might also be a way to fast-track change. How? With mini celebrations for each achievement.

‘Even if it’s a tiny step forward – such as drinking one glass of water or getting through half a day without checking your Facebook, if you celebrate it, the habit is more likely to stick more quickly,’ says Heather. ‘This is because, by acknowledging that we’ve done something good, dopamine is released in the brain, which makes us feel good about it. The brain associates that feeling with the action we’ve just done, and wants to do it again. So you’re retraining your brain to associate that new habit with pleasure.’

So, whatever your achievement is, tell your friends about it and lap up their praise, or treat yourself to something you love – the important thing is to do what makes you feel good.