practicing discernment
How many times each day do you think you see some article or advice about weight loss or getting fit while scrolling through social media? When was the last time you saw a commercial promising fast and efficient weight loss that will leave your friends miserably jealous? Or, how about all of those frightening articles telling you to stop eating some such thing or other because it has been linked to (insert dreadful condition here).
Practicing discernment is a crucial part of being an informed consumer. We all know, at least on some level, that you can’t trust everything you are told. However, people are still so easily influenced when it comes to things they read, especially on the internet. This is even more apparent with articles or advice that are supposed to help with your health. Fortunately, there are ways to tell if you are being led astray.
Firstly, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Diets or supplements claiming quick and easy weight loss likely fit into this category. It is neither healthy nor lasting to lose weight quickly, and it also probably won’t work. People may lose weight incredibly quickly on certain diets, but unless it is a lifelong commitment, they are gaining that weight (and possibly more) back.
Next, if the article uses scare tactics to get you to stop thinking rationally. Many “health advocates” out there like to use scary terms or make outrageous claims to get you to listen to them. When people are in a state of fear, they are not using logic and critical thinking and are therefore more easily persuaded.
Lastly, there is no supporting evidence. Correlation does not equal causation, you can’t simply link two things together because they happened at the same time or consecutively. There are so many other factors that contribute to a situation, and they can’t be ruled out for convenience.
When trying to determine if the information you are receiving is legitimate, simply pause and think about it. Ask yourself if it makes sense and if there is enough evidence to support the claim. Consider other possible factors that may contribute to the results or findings.
It’s so easy for all of us to get caught up in hype when it comes to our health. Many of us care about staying healthy, but we are also busy and don’t always slow down and assess what that actually requires from us. The true key to staying healthy isn’t going to be found in unfounded claims or extreme changes, it comes from the small choices you make every day.
