What would an anthropologist say about you?

A couple of weekends ago I was spending a lazy sunday afternoon laying on the couch watching a David Attenborough documentary. The documentary was looking at the lifestyles and behaviours of hunter gather cultures that existed thousands of years ago. Clever anthropologists where able to deduce an enormous amount about how these cultures lived by finding small artifacts. Spears and sharp cutting instruments informed the scientists that they hunted and ate meat. Intricate drawings on cave walls where an indication of the family values and their connection to mother earth.

As I was watching the documentary I couldn't help but wonder what would an anthropologist of the future be able to tell about our values and lifestyle in they looked through our house. If you have read any of my previous articles or seen any of my video healthcasts then you would no doubt have heard me talk about the power of environment when it comes to our health. The simple truth is that your environment is perfectly set up to give you your current life. Let me explain more:

A quick look in your cupboards and refrigerator would tell me exactly how you eat. If I know how you eat I can then predict a great deal about your weight, health and happiness. A family with a fridge full of fresh produce, natural yoghurts, good quality grass fed meats is going to look very different to a family whose fridge is full of soft drinks, pre packaged meals, alcohol and chocolate. It is not just your fridge that is a great predictor also. It is not uncommon for modern families to have a television is every room and you can bet that the more television you have in your house the less likely you and your children are to read a book. So here is a tip, if you want you kids to read more books and watch less television, buy some books and get rid of some televisions. The use of home exercise equipment decreases drastically the further it moves from the main living area (perhaps its time to unpack that treadmill from under the bed in the spare bedroom).

Two years ago my wife and I converted our formal dinning room - which we only used 4 or 5 times a year into a studio gym which gets used 4 or 5 times a week. Some might call that a little crazy but walking past a room full of exercise equipment each day really makes exercise an easy part of my life.

Making sustainable behaviour changes can be difficult at the best of times, trying to do it in an environment that encourages bad behaviour is almost impossible. If you want to make this year different perhaps it's time you looked at your environment.

Dr Angus Pyke is the founder and director of What Actually Works - an online forum providing simple, proven and effective strategies for people to live a happier and healthier life. Angus is a sort after speaker and health coach to leaders of industry and Olympic gold medalists. His humor, compassion and simple message has helped to empower thousands to make change and live a more passionate, healthy and fulfilling life. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.whatactuallyworks.com.au www.facebook.com/whatactuallyworks