Here’s what happens in your brain when you’re trying to make or break a habit

Self-compassion, among other things, is important when trying to break habits. Photo: Getty

Did you set a New Year’s resolution to kick a bad habit, only to find yourself falling back into old patterns? You’re not alone.

In fact, research suggests up to 40 per cent of our daily actions are habits – automatic routines we do without thinking. But how do these habits form, and why are they so difficult to break?