Changing Behavioral Patterns

Whether we’re aware of it or not, we’re always either reinforcing or changing behavioral patterns. This is true of our own attitudes and actions as well as those of others. Being aware of this dynamic is crucial to shaping the behaviors we wish to have. My thoughts on this subject stem from a conversation I had with a client about how to raise her sons effectively. She said that whenever she interacted with them, at least one of the things she attempted to get across was that she loved them. I then suggested that she might also consider how her words or actions were either reinforcing their old, unwanted habits or changing them. We moved on to talk about how she could apply this principle to transforming her eating and improving her relationship with her spouse. Think about it: Whatever you choose to think or do shapes your future thoughts and actions and either supports the status quo or propels you in another direction. If you want your children to listen to you and they don’t, even when you scream at them, whatever you’re doing is maintaining the status quo. However, if you were to not scream but whisper, you would be changing the dynamics between you. Same goes for if your mother always comments on your weight and you always getting defensive. Your reaction only promotes more of this same interaction in the future. If, however, you were to say nothing, change the subject, or leave the room, you would be shifting the dynamics.  An essential question to ask y...
Source: Normal Eating - Category: Eating Disorders Authors: Source Type: blogs