We’ve all heard the familiar advice: Eat healthy, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, limit alcohol consumption and make sure you get enough sleep.
Despite this, many face the challenge of putting this advice into practice.
– A very good start is to reason with yourself about why you want to change your lifestyle, says Steven Nordin, professor at the Department of Psychology at Umeå University.
Especially in connection with New Year’s resolutions, many people feel that it is time to change their lifestyle and live healthier.
The question then is: What mindset should one have in order to succeed with one’s promises? The researchers at Umeå University have carried out ultrasound examinations on people in the risk zone for cardiovascular diseases.
The results of these studies show interesting connections between personal and educational information and a reduced risk of dying within the next ten years.
Research at Umeå University indicates that people who receive individualized and educational information about health have increased success in changing their lifestyles. A seven percent reduction in the risk of dying within ten years was observed in the people included in the study who received this type of support.
– It is image-based and very easily accessible. It is then followed up with a health talk with an experienced nurse where the results are discussed and you can get tips on how to change your health behaviours, says Professor Steven Nordin.
“Crucial to find alternative ways”
However, not everyone is subject to treatment or counseling in healthcare. For those who do not have access to such professional help, finding alternative ways to achieve their health goals is critical. Setting realistic goals and avoiding setting the bar too high is a key aspect of successful lifestyle change.
Understanding the psychological barriers that can arise when attempting change is just as important as having the concrete tools to do so. People may face resistance due to various factors, such as lack of motivation, fear of failure or lack of knowledge of how to proceed. Working with these psychological aspects can be the key to overcoming obstacles and achieving sustainable change.
– One way is to agree with your friends that now we play badminton three times a week, for example. Then you put pressure on each other. Then you shouldn’t have too high a goal, but instead think a little backwards and realize that what you started at the time has backfired and the mood has improved. Then it is possible to start from that, says Steven Nordin