6 Reasons why it's Hard to Lead a Healthier Life

Professor Marieke Adriaanse and Rianne Lindhout from Leiden University posed an essential question: “We know we should lead healthier lives, and often we want to, but why is it so hard to do so?”

The Future of Healthcare

A recent warning from the Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy underscores the pressing issue. The council cautioned that healthcare may become unaffordable in the future if current trends continue. By 2060, it is estimated that one in three people will need to work in healthcare to maintain current levels of care, a significant increase from today’s one in seven. One solution to this growing challenge is clear: adopting healthier lifestyles. However, for many, the question remains—why is this so difficult?

The Role of the Scientific Council for Government Policy

The Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy serves as an independent advisory body, providing strategic guidance to the Dutch government and Parliament on pressing political and societal issues. It is hoped that similar institutions in other nations will also advocate for healthier living to prevent future healthcare crises.

The Myth of the Rational Human

The research conducted by Adriaanse and Lindhout highlights a significant misconception: the belief in the rational human, or homorationalis. This Aristotelian concept suggests that humans, as rational beings, make decisions based on reason, facts, and personal experience. However, the authors argue that this notion is a myth, particularly when it comes to adopting healthier behaviors.

While numerous studies demonstrate the profound health benefits of regular exercise, there has been considerably less research on how to motivate people to engage in healthier habits. It’s often assumed that a doctor’s advice to lose weight or adopt healthier habits is sufficient, but the reality is far more complex. The authors note that we have been overly optimistic about self-reliance, stating that knowing something is healthy does not automatically translate to motivation or the ability to implement changes.

The Problem with Good Intentions

Good intentions, such as losing weight or cutting back on unhealthy foods, are common, but they often lack specificity. People may have a general goal, like “losing 10 kilos” or “eating fewer sweets,” but without a concrete plan, these intentions fall flat. The key is to be precise—what will you stop doing, or better yet, what will you start doing, and when?

For example, instead of vaguely aiming to eat healthier, one might decide to pack a nutritious snack for work to avoid the temptation of vending machine snacks. Although these strategies sound simple, many fail to think concretely enough about the steps necessary to change their behavior.

The Limits of Willpower

Adriaanse and Lindhout also challenge the commonly held belief that willpower is the primary driver of a healthy lifestyle. One of the authors asks, “Do you currently have a healthy lifestyle? And do you believe that this is thanks to your strong willpower? Think again.” They emphasize that many behaviors we attribute to willpower are actually the result of ingrained habits and external factors.

For instance, one author explains her daily routine of cycling everywhere, including cycling 28 kilometers to pick up her children. However, she admits this habit is not driven by her knowledge of the health benefits of cycling, but rather because she is afraid of driving. This highlights a crucial point: our behaviors are often shaped by circumstances and habits, rather than sheer willpower.

Unconscious Decisions

The authors argue that much of what we do is the result of unconscious choices. "Most of our choices are not made through willpower, but on automatic pilot," they explain. These routines and habits govern much of our daily life. By carefully examining and consciously altering these habits, individuals can develop healthier routines that make it easier to resist temptation.

But will this self-reflection provide the willpower necessary to maintain these changes? The authors question whether examining our shortcomings is enough, suggesting that most people will likely compromise, perhaps allowing for occasional indulgences like a “cheat day.”

Mental Space and Stress

Another significant barrier to healthy living is the lack of mental space. Everyday stresses, family obligations, and financial concerns can make it challenging to adopt new habits. This is especially true for those with lower socio-economic status, who not only experience greater levels of stress but also face additional health challenges. According to the authors, in the Netherlands, those at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder live an average of six years shorter and spend fifteen more years in poor health compared to their wealthier counterparts.

The Importance of Intervention

Making healthy choices easier is a critical part of the solution. Government intervention, such as implementing a sugar tax or creating environments that encourage healthier choices, can play a pivotal role. For example, making stairs more visible than elevators or placing healthier food options at eye level can subtly influence behavior without infringing on personal autonomy.

Some argue that these types of interventions, known as “nudging,” are manipulative, but the authors question whether this is how people actually experience them. By making the healthy choice the easy choice, governments can help people adopt better habits without forcing them to do so.

Government Responsibility

While governmental nudges can be helpful, the authors caution against relying too heavily on them. Governments have contributed to the current health crisis, promoting flawed dietary guidelines like the food pyramid, which has been heavily influenced by industry interests. For instance, the decision to exclude recommended daily allowances (RDA) for sugar from food labels worldwide is a glaring example of corporate influence over public health policy.

In the end, the path to healthier living relies not only on individual willpower but also on systemic changes that make healthy choices more accessible and appealing. Although we know that processed foods are harmful, whole foods are beneficial, and exercise is essential, translating this knowledge into action requires both personal and societal effort.