Academic Consultant D. Neidorf: "We Find Many Reasons to Follow an Unhealthy Lifestyle"

Nowadays, we find many reasons to follow an unhealthy lifestyle – we justify ourselves as being in a hurry or tired, says Delina Neidorf, an academic consultant at the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University (VU). However, she says, the changes start with small steps, such as a resounding reminder to get up from the desk.

D. Neidorf is deeply interested in areas of a healthy lifestyle, the influence of nutrition, and physical activity on the quality of life. Moreover, she is currently pursuing Bachelor's degree in Physical Activity and Lifestyle at the Lithuanian Sports University. This is already her third degree. In addition, D. Neidorf holds the Health and Fitness Lifestyle Advisor certification from the European Lifestyle Medicine Organization (ELMO). Nevertheless, the student plans to deepen the knowledge in higher education levels.

Change doesn't happen overnight

D. Neidorf says some people who seek counseling often hope to receive miraculous advice on how they can alter their lifestyle. However, she said people should not expect the change overnight.

'My main task is to build an overall picture of the person seeking advice, to understand the reasons why the person is seeking my help in the first place, and to provide all the necessary information or, otherwise, the necessary tools to the person. A healthy lifestyle does not cure diseases or strengthen the immune system. If the immune system is healthy, it acts as disease prevention. Of course, genes and other aspects play a role. There is no magic pill, and change doesn't happen overnight,' D. Neidorf says and adds that she has no intention of persuading people of the benefits of the chosen lifestyle. Instead, she wishes to share the message of a healthy lifestyle by offering her way of living as an example.

In addition, D. Neidorf points out that people are used to ignoring health issues: 'For example, a person complains about occasional pain in the shoulder. A further conversation reveals many other health issues s/he has managed to ignore. It hurts a little here or there, but we think it's 'normal.' After all, who doesn't have aches and feel pain? But it shouldn't be the case. A man is not created to be ill and to feel pain. Therefore, it isn't 'normal''.

It is not necessary to exercise only in the gym

'Today we find many reasons to live unhealthy lifestyle – we don't have time for it, we're in a hurry or tired. When we are invited to exercise or play sports at the end of a working day, we say 'sorry, but I have life to live.' Yet a healthy lifestyle can be fully integrated into our life. People get the wrong idea that an hour a day dedicated to sports means running or lifting weights in a gym,' D. Neidorf states.

According to her, an excellent start for change can be just a resounding reminder to get up from your desk. Then, for five minutes, you can stretch your muscles, take a walk, let your eyes rest.

'First of all, you need to find sports that would be interesting to you. One may like to run, the other will want to exercise in the park, and the third will attend team classes. It is normal if we want to change the chosen sport in the long run – after all, our desires, tastes, and opportunities are changing,' she says.

Sustainability is integral to a healthy lifestyle

D. Neidorf argues that 'maintaining a healthy lifestyle consists not only of what you eat (i.e., nutrition) but also of what hygiene products you use, what dye you use for your hair, what perfume you use, etc. If you buy products containing chemicals or packaged in non-recyclable packaging, it means you are causing harm both to yourself and the environment. So why do we act like this? We don't even think about it, and it's just a habit.'

People are subject to marketing manipulations to persuade us that buying things will make us happy, thinks D. Neidorf. According to her, although most people are unfamiliar with the long-term nature of packaging damage, it is often not believed that their contribution can be significant to change.

'Let's say 2 million adults live in Lithuania. If each of them says it depends on me – it really does. Manufacturers are doing the making for buyers. If at least 30 percent of them no longer buy products packaged in plastic or non-recyclable packaging, they will be forced to look for a solution,' the academic consultant says.

She takes a similar approach to food: 'There is a straightforward rule. If you do not understand at least one word written on the product label, you should not use it. All the ingredients should be listed simply, such as flour, rice, sugar, salt, etc. And the components that need to be tested are usually not good for the body – they are designed to make the food last longer, look better, smell better.'

Finally, she noted that it is essential not to give in to the temptation to buy shares in moderation without carefully selecting food and other goods.

'We often use it to fill a psychological void, to get satisfaction, but it is a short-term feeling. Sometimes people get the impression that they feel a lack of self-realization, and they try to compensate by 'furnishing' the environment. It's as if – I'm not doing anything myself, so when guests come – we'll be able to see my stuff and at least talk about it. Such conversations are about nothing,' D. Neidorf says.