Changing Habits Quick Tip Sheet:

• Make a list of all of the habits, or repetitive actions, that you think you may have. Include both positive and negative habits.
• Go through your list and write down the thoughts and feelings that are associated with these habitual behaviors.
• Write down how often these habits occur.
• Label each habit good or bad – determine if the habit is helping or hurting you.
• Focus on the harmful habits, and think about ways to change your thoughts and feelings associated with each habit.
• Ask yourself what you are thinking and feeling while you are engaging in the habit.
• Question what you are gaining from the habit and what you could gain by changing it into a one that is more productive. Write this new habit down.
• Write down the thoughts and feelings you would have if you changed this habit.
• Look at your lists and compare the old habits with the new habits. Choose which is more important to you. This is YOUR personal choice.
• Begin to substitute the more desirable habitual behaviors into your life – Remember that removing or eliminating a harmful habit without replacing it with a more desirable behavior can leave a void for another unintentional behavior (that may be just as harmful ).

Dr. Glenn Kaplan is a Board Certified Clinical Health Psychologist who works with bariatric patients at the National Bariatric Center™ at Sky Ridge Medical Center. He can be reached at 303-434-6023.