Worth Reading!

Erin Nitschke – Blog Post #2 – April 27, 2012

We have been blessed in Sheridan to enjoy an early spring season! Now is the perfect time to spring clean your wellness routine. In addition to taking a leisurely stroll or enjoying a game of volleyball in the park, take some time to expand your “must read” list.

Keep in mind that wellness encompasses far more than physical activity. Wellness is an active process of making positive lifestyle choices that facilitate and support the development of a higher quality of life. In other words, wellness is a personal and individualized commitment to positive and healthy daily practices related to physical, emotional, social, environmental, occupational, spiritual, and intellectual dimensions of life. In order to engage in healthy decision making, we must first understand what motivates and influences to behave the way we do.

In an effort to help individuals come to terms with the psychology of consumer behavior, Dr. Brian Wansink, Professor of Marketing and Nutritional Science at Cornell University, published Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think. Of all of the health, nutrition, and exercise science publications I have read and currently use in my classroom, Mindless Eating, is one of my absolute favorites!

Dr. Wansink takes his readers on an entertaining, but insightful journey into the science and study of consumer psychology. His research also helps readers develop and cultivate a sense of awareness about personal health and nutrition choices and practices. Mindless Eating discusses various signals and cues individuals use to make choices. For example, Dr. Wansink presents the idea of the “See Food” trap. Simply stated- “out of sight, out of mind. In sight, in mind.” The research surrounding this phenomenon demonstrated that we tend to consume more if food items are visible and on display. Over time, we could over-consume enough calories to add five pounds of extra body weight in one year! That’s a staggering number.

I encourage all of you to consider reading this book. The tips, tricks, and tools you will learn are invaluable to supporting your commitment to personal wellness and healthful practices. Happy reading!