Change can be complicated.

Changing your health behaviours is not always easy. The image above illustrates the COM_B system (Michie et al 2011) which forms the basis of the Behaviour Change Wheel. This model was developed to help us understand the complex nature of behaviour. Opportunity, capability and motivation interact with each other to influence our behaviour. There is a complex system of internal and external factors which mediate our success in changing behaviour.

Capability - concerns an individual’s capacity both physically and psychologically. It includes having the necessary skills and knowledge to undertake the healthy activity or behaviour.

Opportunity - involves external factors which determine your ability to engage in the desired behaviour. Social opportunity includes influences like family and culture; and physical opportunity includes your surrounding environment.

Motivation - is your individual brain processes which direct decisions, goal orientation and emotions.

When you consider the complex interactions that produce behaviour it’s not hard to understand why it isn’t always easy to make the healthy choice. Understanding the psychology behind behavioural change can help you make the changes that improve your chances of success.

My education in both psychology and human nutrition is perfectly suited to help you on this journey.

Michie, S., van Stralen, M.M. & West, R. The behaviour change wheel: A new method for characterising and designing behaviour change interventions. Implementation Sci 6, 42 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-6-42