Analysis of data for over 1000 participants in Do Something Different programmes shows that changing people's habits has a significant positive impact on stress, anxiety and depression.
A recent review of data from over 1000 participants in Do Something Different digital behaviour change programmes has shown that changes in habits and behaviours can lead to significant reduction in stress, as measured by levels of anxiety and depression.
The analysis, carried out by Professors of Psychology, Ben (C) Fletcher and Karen Pine, shows that:
- People’s habitual behaviours contribute to their anxiety and depression.
- Changing behaviour, by doing something different, brings about significant changes in levels of anxiety and depression.
- The more people change their habits, the greater the improvement in anxiety and depression.
- When interventions do not specifically target mental health, doing something different still reduces anxiety and depression.
- Significant mental health improvement can be brought about by a digital intervention, without face-to-face therapeutic contact.
How does it work?
Professor Ben Fletcher explains:
“Our research over many years has shown that people with greater ‘behavioural flexibility’ – put simply, those who are less habitual and have a broader repertoire of behaviours at their disposal – are less likely to suffer with stress. By helping people to expand their behavioural flexibility, by changing the way they habitually respond and expanding behaviour in small ways, we can help them to reduce both anxiety and depression, which are key indicators of stress.”
