One of the goals of STRESS Management is to change the behaviors that contribute to our stress.

Behaviors Lifestyle Behaviors - include all of the activities people engage in day to day. (work, school, leisure, asking for help) Health Behaviors - are activities undertaking by people who believe themselves to “healthy” to remain “healthy”.

Behavior Modification Techniques Self Monitoring - involves a process of recording your own behavior. Thus increasing your awareness of undesirable, stress provoking behaviors. Tailoring - designing programs that are tailored to a specific lifestyle, routines, and/or circumstances

Material Reinforcement - provides the individual with something of value for his/her progress towards the health behavior goal. Social Reinforcement - use of significant others to provide encouragement for health behavior change program.

Self Contracting - the individual sets up a contingency plan which supports behavior change, includes rewards. Contracting with Others - contracting with an outside support person. Contracts should be: clear, fair, positive, consistent, and systematic.

Shaping - involves having individuals set small goals which lead to their larger overall goal. (Baby steps) Reminders - involves setting up system for the individual to remind themselves of actions or behavior he/she needs to complete.

Community Resources Self-Help Groups - typically, groups of people with similar experiences who provide support for one another. Frequently these groups consist of a philosophy or ritual for change. Professional Help - consists of working with a professionally trained individual who helps the individual maximize his/her potential to change.

Stages of Change Stage 1: Precontemplation People in this stage usually have no desire to change their behavior. Typically they deny having a problem. Family members, friends, co- workers often can see the problem quite clearly. Through the intervention of friends and education people may move to the contemplation stage.

Stages of Change Stage 2: Contemplation In the contemplation, stage people accept that they have problem and begin to think seriously about solving it. Contemplators struggle to understand their problem, to see its causes and possible solutions. Contemplators often make indefinite plans to take action within the next 6 months.

Stages of Change Stage 3: Preparation People in the preparation stage are planning to take action within the very next month. They are making final adjustments before they begin to change their behavior.

Stages of Change Stage 4: Action During the action phase the person makes the first steps towards change. People begin the plan they have developed in t he earlier stages, Changes made during this stage are more visible to others. People often receive support from others during this stage.

Stages of Change Stage 5: Maintenance During the maintenance stage he person must work to consolidate the gains attained during the action stage and other stages, and struggle to prevent relapse. This stage can last 6 months to a lifetime.

Stages of Change Stage 6: Termination This stage is the ultimate goal for all changers. Here, your former problem or addiction will no longer present any problem, temptation or threat. The behavior never returns.

For an individual to move from the precontemplation stage to the contemplation stage the benefits to changing must be apparent and reinforced. For an individual to go from preparation to action the barriers to changing must be reduced or be perceived as reduced.