More Reasons Why Little Changes = Bad Advice

February 21, 2012

If you’re a longtime reader of the Health Promotion Practitioner, you know we believe it’s counterproductive to tell people to change health habits in little steps. Among other things, it makes it too easy to slip back to old patterns. Findings in the Journal of Happiness Studies may shed light on why health educators persist in this approach — not because it works, but because it may be less stressful in the short term for participants.

The results show people who work hard at a skill or ability (such as mastering a math problem or learning to drive) may experience stress in the moment, but report greater happiness — daily and longer term — as they become competent. In other words, a little pain results in greater long-term gain.

Unfortunately, well-meaning health promoters have the misguided belief that if they can help people avoid some of the stress by “easing into it” they’re more likely to build on the positive behavior. It’s a theory with no basis in fact, and as this study suggests, may hurt a person’s chances for long-term success precisely because they haven’t experienced some stress.

The implication for health promoters is clear: Instead of trying to make change easier for participants, be honest with them — it’s hard. Then turn the focus to the long term, including the satisfaction and benefits they’ll experience by having mastered the skills necessary to live healthier.