Struggling to stick to plans? If-Then plans, also known as implementation intentions, are an extensively studied strategy from cognitive psychology that has been shown to increase the likelihood of goal attainment. However, WHAT are if-then plans and HOW do you implement them?
Read MoreWhen we believe that our behaviors are unchangeable, we easily give up and say to ourselves, “I knew I could never do that.” So, let’s take a look at the silent messages that are holding you back - your limiting beliefs - and what to do about them.
Read MoreMindfulness is defined as the awareness that arises when we pay attention in the present moment, on purpose, and non-judgmentally. To understand how mindfulness is involved in forming habits, let’s learn about two systems of the brain and how they can impact your behavior.
Read MoreMany of us are dealing with unhealthy habits that we started during the pandemic. Even though we know what we need to do to make changes, we are finding it challenging to commit to healthy habits. We continue to "stress eat." WHY do we do this and WHAT can we do about it?
Read MoreFrom the beginning, the Levelhead approach to developing a mindfulness practice was based on the assumption that people have busy lives and need to be able to practice whenever, wherever it fits their lifestyle. We realize that people are time-starved and have a limited desire for practices that require more than 5 minutes. Take a look at what recent research says about what is needed to develop a mindfulness practice…
Read MoreRecently, I saw a study that captured my attention because it aimed to understand the extent to which participants could establish a habit of gratitude thinking before sleeping (Lo & Leung, 2020). The researchers defined gratitude as an inclination to appreciate and savor daily events and experiences. Here is what the researchers found.
Read MoreToday, I took a giant leap of faith and booked flights for Thanksgiving. Like most of you, going to the grocery store has been my big “travel opportunity” lately. So, booking airfare ten months from now was a big step. Almost immediately, I felt a little better and began to imagine what it would be like to travel without fear and anxiety. Reflecting on how my plans boosted my mood, I wondered if there was research on this topic. Here’s what I found…
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