Do you feel like sacrificing your favorite food, drink, and relaxation for today, thinking about what will happen in 20 or 30 years? It's really hard, isn't it? We all like to think about today. But did you know that, surprisingly, just thinking about your future self can change your health habits for the better today? This is not some kind of magic, but a very interesting concept based on psychology. Let's talk about this today.
Why is it so difficult for us to think about our own future?
This is a very strange question. In fact, our brains see our future selves as if they were someone else. This was made clear in a study by Hal Hershfield, a professor at the University of California. He used a special scan that can measure brain activity (`fMRI` - functional magnetic resonance imaging) and asked people to think about their lives 10 years from now.
Surprisingly, the exact same part of their brains activated when they thought about a stranger. That is, our brains see our future selves as if they were looking at a stranger.
This is what psychology calls a lack of 'future self-continuity' . Simply put, it means that you feel less emotionally connected, less close, to the 'you' in the future. Because that 'future me' feels like a separate person, we don't feel like sacrificing our present happiness for that person. Think about it, you'd think twice about helping a stranger than a friend, wouldn't you? That's what's happening here.
What are the benefits of connecting with your 'future self'?
Okay, so now you understand the challenge of thinking about the future. But what if we could overcome this obstacle and build a strong connection with our future selves? The benefits are truly immense. Research has shown that people who think about their future and can visualize it clearly are more likely to make healthier and wiser decisions today.
"If I feel an emotional connection, a closeness, to my future self, it's not a big deal for me to do things today that will benefit that person in the future," says Professor Hershfield.
See the table below for practical benefits that this relationship brings to our lives.
| Sector of life | Benefits shown by research |
|---|---|
| Saving money | They save more money for the future. They strive to increase their assets. |
| Eating habits | Reduce sugary and fatty foods and eat more healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. |
| Smoking | A study conducted in Austria showed that these people smoke less. |
| Overall health | Less chronic pain. Less difficulty with simple activities like climbing stairs. Attend medical appointments properly. |
This concept is especially helpful for those who are dissatisfied with their bodies. Research has shown that people who are anxious about their bodies but have a good relationship with their future selves are more likely to adopt healthy habits , such as eating a balanced diet and exercising.
How do you connect with your 'future self'?
This is good news! Your relationship with your future self is not something set in stone. It is something we can develop and strengthen. Here are two simple, research-backed ways to help you.
1. Write letters to yourself.
This may sound a little strange, but it's a very powerful method. Imagine that you are writing a letter to yourself 20 years from now. Your hopes, dreams, what kind of person do you think you will be by then, what advice would you give to that 'future me'... Write all of this down. Then, think of yourself as the 'you' of 20 years from now, and write a response to yourself today. It could be something like, "Thank you for the sacrifices you made today, that's why I am healthy today."
One study found that people who exchanged letters were 43% more likely to exercise in the days following the exchange, which means they averaged an extra 25 minutes of exercise per week.
2. Look at a photo of yourself as you age.
This is the easiest and most popular method available today. Use an app like `FaceApp` or `Oldify` on your phone and see what you will look like when you are older. When you look at that photo, you just think, "Oh, this is me. If this person wants to be healthy, I need to start taking care of my health today."
In one study, when young people were shown how they looked older using an app like this, they were more likely to choose a healthy type of bread (whole-wheat bread) over a donut when given a choice of food. Seeing a visual cue like this helps to reinforce the idea.
How long do these methods last? It's really hard to say for sure. Most likely, these are short-term effects. But that's not a problem. The important thing is that something small like this will give you a big push to start a good habit . Maybe you'll sign up for a gym or start taking an evening walk. That start is the most important thing. You can try these exercises regularly.
Ultimately, all of this is about how a small change in our mindset can have a big positive impact on our lives. So, starting today, talk to your future self a little, think about him or her. It will be a great strength for the health decisions you make today.
Take-Home Message
- Thinking about your future self and emotionally connecting with that person (future self-continuity) is a great help in making healthy decisions today.
- Our brains naturally see our future selves as strangers, so we need to make a conscious effort to build that connection.
- You can strengthen this connection with simple ways like writing a letter to your future self or looking at an age-progression photo.
- Although the boost from these methods is short-term, it is a great opportunity to start good habits like exercising and eating healthy.
- If you have any concerns about your health habits or before making any changes, it is very important to talk to your doctor.
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