It’s a habitual claim often made by social media influencers, or in wellness blogs and self-help books.

Namely, that it takes 21 days to imprint a new habit on your mind so that it becomes almost automatic.

New research indicates that a one-word technical term might be used to describe the accuracy of this claim:

Hogwash.

Try 59 to 66 days. That’s according to recent research from Australia. Scientists there found two to five months is required to form habits that stick with you and don’t evaporate like morning fog. And for some people, it can take as long as a year.

Researchers analyzed data from 20 studies involving 2,600 participants who sought to form healthy habits. Those included things like flossing their teeth, drinking more water, and getting more exercise.

As most people can attest, a New Year’s resolution to get fit or eat fewer treats doesn’t just happen like the flipping of a light switch. It takes commitment and repetition until it becomes second nature.

One key finding of the study is that it isn’t just a matter of repeating the same behavior for a couple of months. Other factors can dictate whether we’ll be successful.

For example, morning routines are easier to maintain. One thought is that we are fresher before the day begins, as our stores of energy not yet depleted. Later in the day, we also face more distractions.

Investigators also report that simple habits are more likely to be maintained than complex ones. In addition, habits we select ourselves tend to be more achievable than those thrust upon us by others.

Remember: There are no shortcuts to good health.