science behind people loving fresh starts

'My father (who was a physicist) used to comment, 'scientists who study gravity still fall down,' ' Wood wrote. Emotion researchers generally define empathy as the ability to sense other peoples. Wendy Wood, who studies habits and behavior as a psychology professor at the University of Southern California, replied with a pithy 'LOL' when asked via email about how she applies her habits expertise to her own goals. The term empathy is used to describe a wide range of experiences. 'Yes, we're better than we were before we started studying it, but we started out far worse than the average candidate.' 'We might be worse at it than other people,' Milkman says. So how do they stick to good habits, like exercise, saving money or eating well? Researchers like her may have insight into quirky human foibles, but they're human, too. Milkman is now a professor at the Wharton School of Business, and her research applies ideas from economics and psychology to nudge people into good habits.

She is leading research into the use of digital technologies to improve lifestyle behaviors, including eating, physical activity, and mental health behaviors in young people. She is passionate about helping all young people lead healthy lives and prevent chronic diseases.

'I started out working out again regularly,' she says, thanks to the young wizard and other fictional series, like The Hunger Games, Alex Cross mysteries, all the vampire novels. Stephanie is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and public health researcher. Sign up for the newsletter and follow on Twitter. As you gain more life experience, interact with different people, battle your way through hardships, fall in love, have kids, or even change jobs, you change so. For more stories like this, check out Life Kit, NPR's family of podcasts for navigating your life - everything from finances to diet and exercise to raising kids.

Science behind people loving fresh starts