Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
When we think about health, we usually think about our bodies. But the mind is an important part of your health. It can even have an impact on your body's health. This week on "Healthwatch," we'll be talking about mental health issues and how they affect your overall well-being.
One thing on many people's minds right now is New Year's resolutions. Are you still keeping yours? Psychiatrists at UT Southwestern say if you want your resolutions to stick, you have to stay with them for a while. A chemical called dopamine that's in our brains helps us form habits. Because of this chemical, our conscious decisions to act a certain way can become ingrained as habits over time. Once you've formed a habit - good or bad - it can be difficult to break.
Next on "Healthwatch": how to help children develop good mental health.
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Jan. 2005
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