Making a positive change

Thinking about making a positive lifestyle change?

Making a healthy positive lifestyle change is a commendable goal that can have a profound impact on your physical and mental wellbeing.

Here are some key considerations and steps to think about when it comes to behavioural change:

Behavioural change

Refers to the process of altering actions, habits, or routines in order to achieve a specific goal or improve one’s life in some way. It can encompass a wide range of changes, from personal habits like eating healthier and being active to professional behaviours and social interactions.

Identify your goals

Start by clearly defining what you want to change and why. Understanding your motivations and setting specific, measurable goals is essential.

Understand your current behaviour

Before you can change, you need to be aware of your current behaviour. Keep a journal or use tracking tools to monitor your habits and patterns.

Assess barriers and triggers

What prevents you from making the desired change, and what situations or emotions trigger the behavior you want to change? Understanding these factors can help you develop strategies to overcome them.

Set realistic expectations

Behavioural change takes time, and setbacks are common. Be patient with yourself and set achievable milestones along the way.

Create a plan

Develop a concrete plan for how you will make the change. This plan should include specific actions, timelines, and strategies for dealing with obstacles.

Utilise behavioural techniques

There are various behavioural techniques you can use, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness, or the “Stages of Change” model, to help facilitate change.

Seek support

Consider involving friends, family, or a support group in your journey. Having a support system can provide motivation and accountability.

Use positive reinforcement

Reward yourself for making progress. Positive reinforcement can help reinforce the desired behaviour.

Track your progress

Continuously monitor your progress to see how far you’ve come and where you need to make adjustments.

Adapt and learn

If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to adapt your approach. Learning from failures and making necessary changes is an important part of the process.

Practice Patience

Behavioural change can be challenging and may not happen overnight. Be prepared for setbacks and be patient with yourself.

Access support local to you

If you wish to make a referral into the Feel Good Suffolk service, your Feel Good Suffolk Advisor can support you to access information contained on this website or community assistance local to you.

They can also advise you on the eligibility criteria for more intensive levels of support around managing a healthy weight, stopping smoking and being more active.

Access support