KEEP IT UP

How to make good habits stick? Check out these secrets to healthy success, shared by James Claiborn, PhD.

KEEP RECORDS

Whether you're trying to kick caffeine or quit biting your nails, tracking your habitual behaviors in a journal may help shake them off. “These behaviors are often automatic, so simply paying more attention to them can go a long way in making changes,” says Claiborn.

TAKE BABY STEPS

Especially during the frantic holiday season, setting reasonable goals is crucial. “If you say, ‘I'm going to run three miles a day,’ it may seem so overwhelming that you end up not following through,” says Claiborn. “But if you aim for 15 minutes of walking daily and build from there, it's much more manageable.”

PREP YOURSELF FOR SLIPUPS

Occasional relapses are nearly inevitable, says Claiborn. But beating yourself up only worsens the situation. “Just look at it as a learning opportunity,” encourages Claiborn. “Ask yourself what went wrong, what set you off, and which risky situations you might want to protect yourself from in the future.”

SMOKING SOLUTIONS

According to the American Lung Association, about 18 percent of U.S. women and 24 percent of U.S. men smoke cigarettes, greatly upping their risk of heart disease, several forms of cancer, macular degeneration, and other chronic diseases. The holidays can be a tough time to stub out the habit, but these effective therapies can help you stay on the path to becoming smoke free.

ACUPUNCTURE

Known to ease stress, reduce cigarette cravings, and alleviate nicotine withdrawal symptoms, this needle-based Chinese therapy has been shown to benefit quitters in several recently published studies.

ST. JOHN'S WORT

A small study in Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that taking the mood-boosting herb St. John's wort might help you stick to not smoking. Because St. John's wort can interact harmfully with some prescription and over-the-counter medications, Cathy Wong, ND, recommends consulting a physician before using the herb.

HYPNOTHERAPY

A 2008 report from Nicotine & Tobacco Research indicated that combining hypnotherapy with the nicotine patch may yield long-term benefits for those attempting to quit smoking. To find a therapist near you, visit the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists at natboard.com.

A freelancer based in Los Angeles, Elizabeth Barker has resolved to finally break her long-lasting Red Vines habit in 2009.