All Tips

Peterson

Read these tips from leading behavioral expert Dr. Michael Peterson

Dr. Michael Peterson is a professor at the University of Delaware, with graduate degrees in Health Promotion and Behavioral Medicine from the University of Kentucky.  Dr. Peterson has extensive experience in behavioral assessment and change.  

He created and directs the graduate Health Promotion program at the University of Delaware, which prepares professionals to conduct behavior change interventions at the individual, corporate, and community level.

He has consulted with a wide variety of private, non-profit, and government agencies in the area of behavioral change and assessment. He also has been primary investigator of many grant projects that promote health in communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, and has created highly acclaimed assessments for health-related behaviors.

He was recently named a Senior Scholar by the Thomas Jefferson University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, and an expert advisor to the Nemours Health and Prevention Services organization.

Avoid Old Traps

Our environment can send us cues that encourage us to engage in unhealthy behaviors. Remove temptations from your life as much as possible to keep yourself focused on your goal. For example, if you are trying to lose weight and there is a favorite vending machine on the way to the cafeteria, change your route. Don’t go by...
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Get Support

When you get friends, work colleagues, and family involved, or when you join a support group, it makes changing your behavior easier. By involving others, you become more accountable for your actions. For example, if you are going to start a diet plan, try to do it with friends, family or people in your office. By...
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Make Information Your Friend

Bombard yourself with books, television shows, motivational phrases and pictures. Talk to people who have already made a healthy change. All that good information can keep you on the road to achieving your goal. For example, if you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor and read all about the causes of it. You may...
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Perfection is Imperfect

It is not about being perfect, it is about consistent effort. Successful change usually takes multiple efforts. It is not about how many times you fall, it is about how many times you get back up. For example, if you are trying to lose weight, be careful not to cut out everything you like to eat all at once. It is perfectly...
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Plans Need to Change at Times

Any behavior change program needs to be periodically reviewed. Changing circumstances, goals, and health status can all affect your success. Or, the initial plan may not be working well. If so, freshen it up so that it works for you. For example, after four weeks of exercising, you may get bored with the same old routine....
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Think Positive To Ensure Success

Your thoughts can support or hinder your ability to make a behavior change. How do you feel about changing your behavior? Why do you feel this way? Answering these questions will help you successfully change your behavior patterns. For example, when trying to quit smoking, you may find that temptation is greater at certain...
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Reward Yourself

Positively reinforce yourself when you are successful—even if it’s only a small step toward your goal. It will make your change in behavior more fun and more motivating. For example, if you are trying to lose weight, hold off on buying yourself something that you want until you’ve met your short-term goal. In this way,...
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