Creatures of Habit

Effective advice for lasting habit change

Ian Newby-Clark is a psychologist at the University of Guelph who gives research-based advice for lasting habit change. See full bio

Creatures of Habit

January 4, 2010

Lose Weight by Eating Better and Exercising More Often

Years ago, in the early days of the Internet, a top-ten list of self-help books that would never sell was circulating. The top entry?

Lose Weight by Eating Less and Exercising More

It's funny because it's true (or, close enough). Read More

December 1, 2009

How Long?

Every once in a while someone emails me and asks something like, "I sit on the couch too much. I'm trying to be more active. How many days will it take before my new exercise routine becomes a habit? My friends tell me it will take about thirty
days, but I think it will only take 25. What do you think?" Read More

November 3, 2009

Thoughts on the Power of Gradual and Habit Change

Some time ago, Leo Babauta of Zen Habits was kind enough to host a post of mine. I wrote about the Power of Gradual. Thanks to Leo's rather large readership I received a lot of comments on my post. I had a couple of thoughts when I read those comments. Read More

October 15, 2009

Feeling Good and Feeling Bad: When is Your Habit a Bad Habit?

Barack Obama. He's not perfect, right? Well, nobody is . . . . Read More

October 4, 2009

A Consideration of Mixed Feelings, Or . . .

Q: How many therapists does it take to change a light bulb?

September 29, 2009

Mental Habits: Taking the Shortcut (Part 3)

In this third installment, I consider the a mental shortcut called "availability."

Let us now meditate on sharks, airplane parts, and the letters of the alphabet.

Are you more likely to be killed by a falling airplane part or by an attacking shark? If you are like most people, you would say that a shark attack is the more likely way to die. But, Read More

September 17, 2009

When Should I Change? What Should I Change? Four Tips

Let's face it, there are lots of things that you'd like to change about you. That's okay. That's the way it is for most folks . . . Read More

September 4, 2009

Mental Habits: Taking the Shortcut (Part 2)

I continue my series of posts on mental shortcuts. It's probably a good idea to read my previous post.

Time to talk about a classic in my field: The "Linda Problem"

I have known Linda for a long time now. Let me tell you about her.

August 17, 2009

Mental Habits: Taking the Shortcut (Part 1)

In a new series of posts, I consider thinking habits that I call "mental shortcuts."

Everyday, you make important decisions about your life. On Monday, you consider buying a new car. On Tuesday, you compare life insurance policies. On Wednesday, you are asked to donate to charity. Will you give? How much? All the time, you make decisions about your health. Some experts say that drinking red wine is good for you. Should you start drinking more of it? I did, but that might be for other reasons . . . Read More

August 5, 2009

Good Conferencing Habits: Or, How I Learned to Have Fun and Still Get Some Sleep

Follow my simple advice for good conferencing habits and good times await. Don't follow my advice and . . . Read More

Self-Help Basics

Most of us have things about ourselves we wish we could improve. Lasting change is difficult—many of our habits are deeply ingrained, and certain aspects of ourselves, such as core personality attributes, may be immutable. But many more things can be changed.

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How early life experiences shape our character.

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