Final answer:
Values clarification is a means of helping someone align their behaviors with their health goals by identifying their beliefs and attitudes, setting specific goals, and supporting them through the behavioral change process. It requires commitment and involves both smoking cessation and healthier diet choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
One means of helping a middle-aged man who is having increasing difficulty breathing due to unhealthy lifestyle choices is through values clarification. This method involves helping individuals identify their values, beliefs, and attitudes about health and lifestyle choices, and align them with their behaviors.
For instance, the man can be guided to comprehend the importance of health over the immediate gratification from smoking and fast food. The process requires a deep commitment to change thinking and behaviors and can involve strategies like setting specific, achievable goals, identifying triggers for unhealthy behaviors, and finding healthier alternatives to meet the same needs.
Changing lifestyle habits such as smoking cessation and adopting a healthier diet are integral parts of this transformation. A healthcare professional can assist by providing information on the benefits of these changes, potential strategies to cope with cravings, and the positive health outcomes from making such life-style changes. Tailored support is crucial, acknowledging the unique aspects of his situation and the challenges he may face in making these adjustments.