HEALTH MATTERS
Expert Shares How to Create Healthy Habits, Break Unhealthy Ones and Create Positive Change
Article by Nicholas Frye, MS, LCPC, CHES
health-promoting behavior in response to some trigger that's already a part of your day, such as a specific location like the kitchen, certain situation like making your morning coffee or particular person like your significant other, until there is a learned connection between trigger and behavior," said Frye.
As an example, to develop a new, healthy walking habit, first select a specific health-promoting behavior such as "go for a 10-minute walk." Then identify a stable cue which occurs daily in your life such as "after breakfast." Then repeatedly perform the walking behavior in response to the after-breakfast cue which will, over time, result in an automatic habit.
It takes 66 days - on average - to develop a new habit, according to a 2009 study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology. However, the exact timeframe is different for everyone. As the behavior is repeated in response to the cue, the association between them
(BPT) - It's an experience shared by many: You make an ambitious health goal and a few months - or weeks - later, you lose steam and throw in the towel. Break the cycle by focusing on simple, yet effective ways you can impact your wellness long term. The key? Small daily habits. Nicholas Frye, MS, LCPC, CHES, behavioral counseling manager at OPTAVIA and an expert on psychological factors that influence health, shares how you can create lasting healthy habits, break those unhealthy ones and create positive changes to your wellbeing:
Forming new habits
Habits are a fundamental part of the health and wellbeing program, OPTAVIA. Its approach is built around four key components: a supportive community, an independent coach, a blueprint for learning and mastering healthy habits, and easy nutrition. "Forming a new, healthy habit involves repeating a