Personal Health Plan

With so much talk about the credit downgrade I thought I would switch gears and talk about applied social psychology and health.  It is likely that most people are feeling nervous and concerned about what might be next for the economy, it is important to think of the effect of this negativity on our health.  Applied social psychologists try to contribute to health and life expectancy through prevention techniques, helping people to change behavior and encouraging adherence to solid health practices.  This can be done through motivation and self-efficacy (knowing you can do what is necessary).  When people are confronted with health issues they wonder if there is truly a threat to them.  Then they look at their own perceived vulnerability...family history, their own disease history, and they then tend to make a social comparison using unrealistic optimism.  They play down the perceived seriousness of the threat or they begin to worry incessantly.  In the case of addictions, they have to either change their behavior to avoid the potential risks or they must disengage from the belief that it will do them harm.  After all it is not "soon nor certain."
One of the key aspects of changing the behavior is the intention to change the behavior (planned behavior theory). One of the greatest factors of determining if a person will change a behavior is whether they intend to change the behavior.  That is the best predictor of actual behavior.  Then the person must implement the intention by specifying when and where they plan to do so.  This involves writing it down and making a plan.  The next key factor to success or failure is if the person believes it is within their power to change the behavior (internal) or whether it is outside of their control (external situation).  Here is the Trans Theoretical Model for changing an unwanted behavior:
1. Precontemplation stage:  You think about it but not really motivated yet.
2. Contemplation stage: You think about it but put it in the future...you postpone.
3. Preparation stage:  You set your plan, work out the details of how, when, and where and write it down.
4. Action stage:  You do it.  You start the change.  Takes work and it is on your mind with lots of temptation to relapse.  This is a very critical stage that takes social support from family and friends to encourage and allow for the change.
5. Maintenance stage:  You have integrated the new behavior as a part of you and who you are and what you do or don't do now. 
With this model of change it is important to go through each stage without skipping any.
Now I will tie this in to our economic woes.  Maybe there are things that you are addicted to that is expensive and hard on your health.  Maybe the stress of working longer due to losing a hunk of retirement is necessary and working out could benefit with stress reduction and more energy.  Whatever the reason, you know if there are behaviors that could benefit your health, well-being, quality of life and longevity.  Don't postpone...make your intention known by writing down your plan and make your health a priority...It is the one thing you can control.