Week One Assignment 1 – Health Behavior Change
For this first assignment, you will describe a Health Behavior that you are targeting to change for yourself (minimum 2 pages).
Please include the following in your health behavior change assignment:
· Choose a Health Behavior and identify a clear (Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Reasonable/Realistic, and Timely) goal
· Describe the prevalence and other significant consequences (1-2 paragraphs)
· Describe your current, baseline level of the behavior, using some quantitative data (1 paragraph)
· Describe your previous experiences in changing this behavior (1 paragraph)
· Describe your confidence in changing this behavior (1 paragrpah)
Use APA format for the in-text referencing and the reference list. You should be using reputable sources such as Centers for Disease Control (and other .gov resources) as well as the textbook and peer-reviewed articles.
In our upcoming class session, we will begin developing a personal behavior change contract. To prepare for this activity, I’d like each of you to start reflecting on an aspect of your own personal health or wellness that you would like to work on this semester.
This topic will be used throughout several assignments in the course, so please choose something meaningful and personally relevant. Ideally, this should be a change that you’ve been thinking about for some time, but have not yet taken consistent action on. The goal is to apply the theories and models we are learning to support real, healthful change in your own life.
🔍 What to Consider:
Think about the Seven Dimensions of Wellness as you reflect:
1. Physical – e.g., improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, getting more sleep, reducing alcohol use, quitting smoking or vaping.
2. Emotional – e.g., managing stress, improving mood, building emotional resilience, seeking therapy.
3. Social – e.g., strengthening relationships, setting healthy boundaries, reducing social isolation.
4. Intellectual – e.g., learning a new skill, reducing screen time, increasing creative or academic engagement.
5. Spiritual – e.g., developing a mindfulness or meditation practice, attending to spiritual beliefs.
6. Occupational – e.g., improving work-life balance, reducing burnout, pursuing professional development.
7. Environmental – e.g., decluttering your space, reducing plastic use, creating a healthier home environment.
✅ Choosing Your Focus:
Please select a goal that is:
· Personally meaningful
· Challenging but achievable
· Specific, measurable, and time-bound
Examples:
· “I want to increase my physical activity by walking for 30 minutes, 4 days per week.”
· “I want to improve sleep by setting a consistent bedtime of 10:30 PM on weeknights.”
· “I want to reduce social media use to no more than 1 hour per day.”
We will refine your goal in class, so for now, just bring a few ideas and be ready to discuss. This is a great opportunity to apply behavioral theories directly to your life and experience how they can support sustainable, healthful change.
