Chapter 3

How to Change Your Habits

IN CHAPTERS 1 AND 2, you learned what heart disease is, how it can be prevented (and even cured) by a healthy lifestyle, and that lasting lifestyle change can be achieved through targeting everyday habits. If you’re thinking: “Okay, I know what to do and why, but now I need to know how!” then read on. In this chapter you’ll learn about the science and psychology of habit, and how understanding our underlying psychology is critical for changing our habits. You’ll see how stress, negative emotions, and thoughts can lead to bad habits and how positive coping skills can help change them, as well as a number of behavioral techniques to make those changes last.