Getting healthy in a world of information
A world of information sounds like an amazing resource. So much knowledge, good health for all! Except I don’t find it’s quite like that, is it?
Health information comes at us from every angle. Newspapers, influencers, podcasts, emails, even supermodels are talking about it. So many views, so many passionate voices. And when you want to optimise your health suddenly they’re everywhere.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to pop on a podcast when I’m tidying up after dinner. And more often than not it’s health related. There are some great ones out there (Rangan Chatterjee is a current favourite). But when you’ve decided to get healthy and really want to do your best it can be overwhelming.
Information Overload
We are overloaded with information. Jackson and Farzaneh looked into this. They estimate that every two days the same amount of information is produced as during the entire period between the dawn of human civilisation and 2003. To put that in perspective; that’s everything I could possibly have learned when I started medicine school, created more than three times a week.
Shiny Object Syndrome
All this information can lead to “Shiny Object Syndrome”. Defined by Forbes as “the phenomenon of being distracted by new and exciting opportunities”. It’s like when you were a child, seeing a new toy in the Argos catalogue and wanting it instead of the toys at home. In health, it can mean that you stop doing the simple thing that you’re doing and instead try the trending, new idea that’s just come your way.
But really, we know that improving our health takes time and commitment. If it was easy then everyone would have a healthy lifestyle and rates of cardiovascular disease and obesity would be significantly lower. Each time you try one of these new “Shiny Objects” on for size you’re being pulled in a new direction. Sometimes that might mean you get to your goal sooner but more often than not it’s a winding detour that probably isn’t even scenic.
The challenge is that no one knows exactly what is best for your health and so one of those “Shiny Objects” might be a help for you. Daniel Lieberman in his book Exercised describes it well.
“Given that each of us is an “experiment of one”…there can be no optimal mixture of exercise type any more than there can be an optimal amount”.
Substitute “exercise type” for any other area of health and lifestyle and I think that summarises it perfectly.
So, what can you do?
I considered many “Shiny Objects” in my time as a surgeon. So many companies want to sell their actually shiny objects to Consultant Surgeons. And so many research papers are written on new, exciting surgical techniques. So, what can you do about it?
1. Awareness
Are you being distracted by “Shiny Object Syndrome”? If you’re not aware that you’re being pushed around then it’s pretty tough to change. Importantly awareness requires a degree of honesty to yourself which can be somewhat tricky, I know!
2. Reflection
It’s so easy to keep rushing along and try to pretend those niggles in the back of your mind don’t exist. As a starter, I find these 4 questions work wonders:
- Why do I want to try it?
Recently I came across water flossers. Now, teeth flossing is one of those habits that I find really tricky to do even though I know how important it is. So a new way of trying it was very enticing. That gave me my why pretty clearly. - Does it fit with my priorities?
My health is certainly a priority. So is being a role model for my family. The water flosser was looking like a strong option. - In what way is it better than what I am currently doing?
This is where the water flosser started to come unstuck for me. A quick review of the literature and dentist opinions found that water flossing doesn’t appear to be better than normal flossing. Some dentists even think the opposite unless you have a reason why normal flossing is tricky for you. I started to get an inkling this might not be for me. - Will it get me closer to my goals?
And this was the clincher for me this time.
Water and normal flossing would both help me in my health goal. But normal flossing is at least as effective (maybe more) and I’ve got some in the cupboard.
Now to work on making it a habit! If you want some help with making a health habits stick for you then I can help.
3. Think of 80/20
This might seem a bit tangential but keep reading!
Google works. You might even have found this article on google. Google also loves to move forward, and needs to in their area of work. They have a well known 80/20 policy. 80% of the working week their employees work on their normal work but 20% of the time they are free to look into new things that might help the company move forward.
We can apply something similar to our health. 80% of the time keep going with the plan, keeping on keeping on. Then 20% try something new. Now, I’m not going to lie it’s a lot easier to write than to do. If you can get it right then it could work for you as well as it works for Google.
A world of information
Shiny Objects are tricky. Sometimes the magpie is right, sometimes it brings a bit of old Coke can home with it. Next time some new health information finds it’s way to you have a try at some of these ideas and see how it works for you. Hopefully, you’ll find it helps with the overwhelm that too much information can cause us all, let me know, I’d love to hear how you get on at health@drkateella.co.uk
If you want help working out if a new health idea is for you or setting your health and wellbeing goals I’m here at Dr Kate Ella. Have a look at what I can offer you or book a discovery call.
Dr Kate Ella 