managing lapses

Our thoughts, feelings, and being in certain situations can strongly influence how we behave.

Sometimes we do things we don’t intend to do, like eating a lot more than we planned, eating when we are not hungry or eating for comfort. It is important not to let this start a chain of events, where one slip leads to a bigger fall… A brief slip-up is called a ‘lapse’. Don’t expect to be perfect. Slip-ups are going to happen. A lapse can provide you with an opportunity to learn about the things that trigger unhealthy behaviour and help you to identify high risk situations. A lapse doesn’t mean that all is lost. It is important to get back on track as soon as possible. If left unchecked a lapse can grow into series of lapses triggering a relapse. A relapse is a return to your previous habits. What to do if you have a lapse? Memorise these steps: 3 STOP doing what you are doing and remove yourself from the situation 3 RECOGNISE that one lapse is not the end of the world and don’t trap yourself with negative thinking 3 LEARN by thinking about what was happening around you, and inside you 3 PLAN what to do to stop your slip becoming a fall, and put your plan into action now 3 BE POSITIVE and carry on