Have you ever wondered why you reach for that comforting but unhealthy snack after a long day, even though you know the salad is the better choice? Or why sticking to an exercise routine or remembering medications can feel like such an uphill battle? Our decisions about health aren’t always purely logical. Their influence extends to our psychology, emotions, and the habits ingrained in us.
We spoke to Dr Rajmadhangi, MBBS, MD (General Medicine), Apollo Spectra Hospital, Chennai, who explained the psychology behind our health behaviours and why sometimes our feelings and immediate desires steer our choices, impacting our well-being in the long run.
What Are Health Behaviours?
“Health behaviour refers to the actions, beliefs, and habits a person follows related to maintaining, restoring, and improving their health. It’s a multidisciplinary field involving psychology, sociology, public health, and anthropology. These behaviours range from simple daily activities like sleeping and working out, to more complex concepts, such as coping mechanisms. Following positive health behaviours can help avoid diseases and chronic illnesses. On the other hand, negative health behaviours might include lifestyles involving drug use or engaging in high-risk sexual activities,” explained Dr Rajmadhangi.
Other actions also fall under health behaviours, such as smoking habits, dietary choices, and adherence to prescribed medical treatments. These behaviours can be intentional or unintentional, often influenced by personal beliefs and the surrounding environment. Importantly, health behaviours aren’t just individual traits; they can also be observed and measured across groups and entire populations.
According to a study published on Science Direct, health behaviour can be understood through various stages, including initiation, maintenance, and relapse. It can also be categorised based on positive and negative behaviour concepts, such as adoption or acceptance compared to cessation or refusal.
Also Read: Why Do We Crave Junk Food In the Evening and Not in the Morning? Ayurveda Expert Answers
The Allure of Unhealthy Choices
Most people make unhealthy choices due to the pleasure it gives. When it comes to food choices, some people prefer both healthy and unhealthy choices. But most people choose the latter as it is much more flavourful. This isn’t necessarily a lack of self-control; flavour holds a powerful influence.
It is not due to the lack of self-control that makes people opt for such choices, but having flavours holds a high influence. Our brains process information about taste much faster than information about health benefits. This delay significantly affects the decision-making process.
“The same goes for other factors, such as smoking and drinking. These activities may offer temporary relief or an escape from harsh situations or realities, but they can highly harm one’s health. It takes the brain only about 400 milliseconds to register flavour information, whereas processing health-related information can take twice as long,” added Dr Rajmadhangi.
The Role of Perceived Risk
People are often reluctant to change unhealthy habits or beliefs unless they perceive a genuine risk to their health. For example:
- People who think they will not get skin cancer are more likely not to use sunscreen or limit their exposure to the sun.
- One might think they will not be diagnosed with lung cancer, and are more likely to continue their habit of smoking.
How Emotions Steer Health Decisions
People can experience various emotions, such as sadness, fear, or anger when diagnosed with a disease, which can impact their health-related choices. Being diagnosed with life-threatening conditions, such as cancer or HIV, can lead to negative emotions that influence their judgements. Additionally, extreme fear of undergoing surgery and its potential side effects can deter them from making a beneficial choice. As a result, emotions can play a significant role in the decisions a person makes.
Bottomline
Dr Rajmadhangi concluded, “These conditions can be improved and depend on the choices one makes. Trying to understand and identify unhealthy patterns, focusing on realistic goals, and learning about healthier choices can help with better well-being. Additionally, try to change your surroundings, like preferring healthier places to take a walk and seek support or help from friends, family and experts. And the most crucial part is to constantly think about the future long-term benefits these positive habits can have on your overall health.”
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your professional if you are dealing with any health issue to avoid complications.]
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