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Dr. Amy’s Health Tip of the Week

Amy Walters, PhD - Licensed Psychologist

Habits - Those behaviors we engage in day after day without even thinking about. We are all creatures of our habits. Some are good and support our health goals (like brushing our teeth), while others are destructive and sabotage health goals (reaching for chocolate or ice cream when we are upset). Habits are useful because they help us to make efficient use of our energy. But unhealthy habits can make us feel like prisoners to our own behaviors (the mind says “No,” but the body doesn’t listen.)

The bad news – changing an unhealthy habit can be challenging, as it has often become the “default setting” in our mind. The good news – despite their well established presence in our daily lives, habits can be changed.

So how do you “reset” your default behaviors? Five simple steps: 1) make a conscious decision to change; 2) make a plan (set a time/date/ place to start, rally your supports, set up your environment for success); 3) give your plan a try; 4) adjust your plan as needed to optimize success; and 5) reward yourself for your ongoing efforts. Happy habit changing!

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St. Luke's Humphreys Diabetes Center's administrative offices are located at 1226 River Street in Boise, Idaho 83702.
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