As the New Year approaches, a prominent doctor and author has issued a clear call to action, urging Britons to leave five specific bad habits behind in 2025 to unlock a healthier and happier 2026.
The Prescription for Positive Change
Dr Rangan Chatterjee, a familiar face from BBC programmes and a best-selling author with over two decades of experience in health and wellness, has shifted the focus from diet fads to fundamental behavioural changes. In a recent social media post, he pinpointed five detrimental patterns that hold people back from becoming their best selves.
"Is there a habit or behaviour you’re ready to leave behind in 2025?" Dr Chatterjee asked his followers on Instagram. "This time of year is a great opportunity to reflect on ourselves. Not just on who we’ve been, but on who we want to become."
The Five Habits to Abandon
Instead of vague advice, Dr Chatterjee provided a precise list of targets for the coming year. He suggests Brits make a concerted effort to eliminate the following five things:
- Saying yes when you actually mean no. This habit leads to overwhelm and resentment.
- Saying negative things about yourself. Harsh self-talk undermines confidence and mental health.
- Not believing you can change in a positive way. This fixed mindset is the biggest barrier to personal growth.
- Being isolated or lonely. Social connection is a cornerstone of both mental and physical wellbeing.
- Spending too much time on social media. Excessive scrolling can fuel comparison, anxiety, and waste precious time.
Small Shifts, Significant Impact
The core of Dr Chatterjee's message is that small, consistent changes can yield profound results. This approach is backed by science; a study published in the British Journal of General Practice confirms that sticking to habitual changes can lead to "long term behaviour change among patients."
The doctor's advice resonated strongly with his audience. One supporter commented, "Love this! Believing change isn’t possible stops growth before it even starts. Every step forward proves otherwise." Another shared a personal victory, stating, "It's just so liberating when you stop saying 'yes' when your whole body is saying 'no'. Amen to that."
The call for a digital detox also found support, with a user agreeing, "Absolutely. Less time on my phone, especially after the school run. Time is precious."
By focusing on these accessible behavioural tweaks rather than restrictive diets, Dr Rangan Chatterjee provides a practical and sustainable blueprint for anyone looking to make 2026 a year of genuine personal improvement and enhanced wellbeing.
