Easier said than done - why we struggle with healthy behaviours and what to do about it

Easier said than done - why we struggle with healthy behaviours and what to do about it This report sets out some of the reasons why we might find it hard to live in a healthy way, exercising, eating well, getting adequate sleep, and checking for early warning symptoms. It also we looks to the field of behavioural science for strategies that people can use to overcome those hurdles and to initiate lifestyle changes. These include:

• Commitment devices, where we make it very unattractive to not follow through on an intention;
• Temptation bundling, where we pair an indulgent behaviour with a prudent one;
• Implementation plans, where we set out the specifics of our desired behaviour.

Changing existing behaviour can be a difficult task, but with the help of these strategies new behaviours can become habitual, facilitating a long-term sustained healthy lifestyle. Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce