Seven Steps for Behavior Changes

Many of us make New Year resolutions, especially about health. So there is no surprise to find these seven steps to successful changes in a health magazine. Since behaviors are actions, you can apply these ideas to not only your physical health but your goals to overcome the stress of grief. Let Storybooks For Healing be your guide.

• Before setting goals, develop a strategy. Look at obstacles that hinder you, and how they can be overcome. If you want to exercise four days week, but child care is a barrier, figure out who will watch the kids.
• Set short-term and long-term goals. Long-term goals will motivate you, but short-term goals will get you there. A long-term goal might be reducing your intake of processed sugar to a specific gram level per day; your short-term goal could be to drink water instead of soda.
• Set specific, measurable goals. Research says this will yield better results, and you'll be more likely to stick with your program. For example, a goal of walking 30 minutes on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday is much better than a vague "I will do more cardio."
• Make goals process oriented, not outcome oriented. Setting a goal of doing cardio five times a week (process) often works better than a goal of losing 5 pounds (outcome).
• Build in fun. If you want to exercise more, plan an activity that you enjoy.
• Set realistic goals. Research shows that moderately difficult goals - those that are challenging but within your capabilities - work best.
• Readjust. If you get sidetracked or need to change goals, cross out the old one and put in the new one.

Source: Group Health Cooperative, Northwest Health Magazine, Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions