Health and Psychology

Here are the top 10 resolutions for 2011:

1.  Spend more time with family and friends

2.  Exercise more

3.  Lose weight

4.  Stop smoking

5.  Stop drinking

6.  Get out of debt

7.  help others

8.  Get organized

9.  Enjoy life more

10.  Learn something new

If your resolutions are on this list then psychology can help with many of them.

In order to succeed, you need to understand the three most important elements in changing a behavior:

•  Readiness to change - Do you have the resources and knowledge to successfully make a lasting change?

• Barriers to change - Is there anything preventing you from changing?

• Expect relapse - What might trigger a return to a former behavior?

It can take about 90 days to make a lasting change in behavior.  It helps to get small initial successes to maintain motivation.  You may have to change strategies several times to meet your goals.  Psychology can help you set up short term goals and strategies, help to keep you on track and help you monitor your progress.

To find a psychologist in your area contact your local psychological association, state psychological association or the American Psychological Association.