A Sturgeon Bay psychologist says making a new behavior a new habit for your New Year's resolutions requires patience as well as a lot of willpower. Dr. Dennis White predicts you will probably fail if you want instant change. Bad habits are developed over a long period, and setting realistic goals over time can make your new goals more achievable.
Dr. White warns that some bad habits are problematic because they represent compulsive behaviors that are part of a deeper psychological issue, like alcoholism. Over 50 percent of Americans make resolutions every year, but only 15 percent reportedly succeed. You can listen to the entire audio of this week's Mental Health Minute with Dr. Dennis White on the podcast page.
