Member-only story
Sorry, stupid question right off the cuff. Change what?
Well, in this recent study they were looking at changing health behaviours.
So, those well-meant things that everyone promises to do themself but never do!
Yes, precisely. You know “I really should exercise more” type of thing. But this was done with 500 heart patients — so they really, really, should be doing more exercise.
And so there is a secret to getting people to do this?
Actually some important results in this study. Generally most health change programmes go through goal setting and planning processes and this has some success. And these researchers noticed two things that were really important: one we know, and one we rarely consider.
Well, don’t keep me in suspense what are they?
The first is also well-known and that is self-choice. Allowing people to choose what activity they want to do. The second is that of starting it immediately. So if people want to walk more, hook them up to a pedometer and go for a walk immediately.
Interesting, because I do that instinctively with many things. I thought that was just my impulsivity!
There are many components that influence this. Many physical and many psychological — if…
