Mondays - A Day for Health Promotion Efforts and Health Behavior Change
Many people want, and need, to eat less, weigh less, exercise more, increase fitness level, stop smoking.but "dreams" without tangible plans remain unfulfilled. In fact, a review by experts at the Mailman School indicates that lack of structural support for a healthy lifestyle is among primary reasons that people are unable to initiate and sustain healthful practices.

A new program instituted at the School, Healthy Monday, calls for a change in behavior and habits that can start each and every Monday. Dedicating Monday to health becomes a cue or call to action to those who seek to change the health and lifestyle behaviors of Americans.

Why Monday?
Population studies from around the world note an increased incidence of disease-related indicators on Mondays, whether they are related to strokes, heart attacks, injuries or accidents. Yet, our choice of Monday as the day for encouraging attention to health is not based on these risk statistics, but rather on the fact that people organize their lives around the week that initiates with Monday. It's the day to set goals, refocus, and recommit. It is a user-friendly platform that makes Monday a logical day on which to commit to improving health and wellness-the day to trigger and sustain healthy behavior.

While many fail to keep to their resolutions to change behavior within one month of making them, success is possible. So how do those wishing to make change, succeed? Research shows that change occurs in stages from precontemplation, where there is no intent to take action in the foreseeable future, to contemplation, or intent to change in the next six months, through preparation or intent to take action in the immediate future and finally to action (initiating plans), and maintenance. Those seeking to make health behavior changes often get stuck in one stage or another and there is no prompt or reminder clue to get them back on track and moving forward toward action.

"In fact, many health promotion campaigns lack a compliance component-many people think about the need to change, but take no steps to change," notes Dr. Audrey Cross, director of the Healthy Monday campaign, and principal author of the research review. "Adding a compliance date tells us just when we need to take action. It adds the "by when," and the weekly recurrence of Monday adds that specific, regular, and repeated stimulus or reminder to action.

Monday can provide just such an external cue to action. The good news is that if one fails during any week, the recurrence of Monday offers a chance to start again. There is no waiting for the next New Year, anniversary or reunion. Monday occurs every seventh day, giving emphasis and opportunity to the formation of new habits. We say that by making Monday a "weekly start to a healthier you," we can begin the crusade that will revolutionize America's health.

And, as the recognition of Monday as the "day all health breaks loose" grows, a social context of support will be created to assist those intending to make behavior change.

Visit www.healthymonday.com and see how Monday health messages provide simple reminders or calls to action to support those moving through the stages of change toward successful maintenance of positive health habits. See how adding a compliance component to your ongoing health initiatives can improve outcomes.

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