|
Currently moving home, changing job or swapping partner? Then according to the latest research this may be the ideal time to embark on other lifestyle changes such as losing weight. Dr Stacy Wood of the University of South Carolina found that when people are in a state of upheaval, they are LESS likely to resort to traditional comfort foods and MORE open to trying something new and embracing change. This unexpected result could have interesting implications for governments currently battling the overwhelming obesity crisis.
People may be more open to starting a new exercise programme during times of crisis such as a recession "That's when people might be drawn naturally to different choices", says Wood "not when things are status quo, but when things are in a state of flux".
Prior to the study, the overwhelming consensus of market analysts was that consumers would turn to nostalgic comfort foods during economic recession. But no. Contrary to our expectations, comfort foods appear to be chosen more often when we're comfortable.
The theory was tested further with movies and music people with the result that people experiencing more change were less likely to choose old favourites. These studies suggest that we are automatically more open to new options in times of change and upheaval – when we may find ourselves adopting a "change mindset" - an ideal opportunity to break away from unhealthy comforts such as junk food.
There is an underlying sense of logic in this response. We all have our own closely guarded comfort zone(s) which differ from person to person and also depends on situation and past experience. A comfort zone is a type of mental conditioning in any area of life such as eating, exercise, career etc that causes a person to create and operate mental boundaries.
Such boundaries create an unfounded sense of security. When a person steps outside their comfort zone, they must inevitably experiment with new and different behaviours, which will provoke new and different responses within their environment.
Thus the comfort zone is expanded as the person becomes familiar with (and no longer fears) the newly imposed changes. Hence once we venture out of our comfort zone and step into the unknown then embracing further challenges to our self imposed limitations is usually much easier. So we apply for a new job that will challenge our perceived current ability. We get the job. We knuckle down and prove our capabilities - thus confidence soars.
Now we feel emboldened - we feel capable of taking on greater things. Shift an extra stone? No problem. Learn a new language. Absolutely. The message is simple; every time you challenge yourself and win - don't simply stop and bask in the glow of achievement but challenge yourself some more. Ask yourself "If I can do x, then maybe I can also do y and maybe, just maybe I can aim for z. |
Post a Comment