Reading for Well-Being

by Joanna Pozzulo, Ph.D.

With a new year here, people often take the opportunity for a “new start” by swapping out old habits with new ones or at least trying. Or maybe you’ve been trying to make a change but finding it won’t “stick”. Maybe you’re using an ineffective strategy or approach.

In case you’re looking for some help to make a new habit stick, you may want to read How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Katy Milkman (2021; published by Portfolio). Milkman (2021) reviews the science of how to make behaviour change last with several evidencebased strategies to help you reach your goals.

Milkman examines the steps you can take to make changes that can help improve health and well-being. Milkman’s expertise in “change behaviour” makes this book not only educational by explaining the science behind behaviour change but also provides a “how to” to achieve your desired change. Each chapter examines an internal obstacle that stands between you and achieving your goal. By the end of the book, you’ll learn how to recognize the obstacles and what you can do to overcome them.

Many of the strategies are relatively easy to implement, such as bundling, where you take a task, you’re not so keen on (for me, it is doing exercise) with one you look forward to (such as reading the latest psychological thriller ☺). If you combine the two, you might find yourself more likely to do the task you’re not so keen on (exercising).

There are lots of evidence-based strategies described in the book to help you follow through on changes you want to make. Another great strategy is to set a reminder for yourself at the actual time that you need/want to do something. I also think it is worth noting that mindset matters, how we think about something matters. As Milkman states, “What we think we’re capable of is crucial when it comes to behaviour change.”

Reading for Well-Being cont'd

The end-of-chapter takeaway points are very helpful summary notes. I found this book so informative that I am going to read it again!

I couldn’t put it down with my first read. A real page-turner for anyone looking to make some changes for improved well-being and health. Definitely worth reading at least once!

If you want to hear from Dr. Milkman directly, check out my interview with her on the Reading for Well-being Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadingforWell BeingPodcast.

Don’t forget to subscribe if you don’t want to miss any of my interviews.

For more evidence-based picks for wellbeing, sign up for the Reading for Well-Being Community Book Club at https://carleton.ca/mental-health/bookclub-sign-up/

Happy reading!

Joanna Pozzulo, Ph.D. Chancellor’s Professor Department

of Psychology Director, Mental Health and Well-Being Research and Training Hub (MeWeRTH) https://carleton.ca/mental-health/ Carleton University