We all know that working out makes us feel better. So why do most of us find it so difficult to actually do it?
DR DEAN BURNETT Neuroscientist Dean explores the nature of dreaming in his latest book Emotional Ignorance (£14.99, Guardian Faber).
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Humans aren’t the fastest or strongest species. We have no wings, fangs, claws, venom or armour. Physically, we’re largely nature’s also-rans.
‘Also-ran’ is an ironic term, though, because humans do physically dominate all other species in one area: long-distance running. Our bipedal gait and unique sweat glands mean humans can keep running long after other species collapse from exhaustion.
Basically, humans evolved to spend long periods physically exerting themselves – that is, exercising. But while many people do indeed enjoy exercising, the less crowded gyms and abandoned New Year resolutions of mid-February reveal they’re in the minority. Even though, as a species, we’ve evolved to do it.
Why? The baffling complexity of the human brain is to blame.
Evolving an ability doesn’t automatically mean we’ll want to use it; after all, creatures with armour don’t actively want to be attacked. Granted, physical exercise isn’t that bad, but it’s still typically unpleasant and uncomfortable. It has to be. You’re pushing your body to its physical limits, which leads to significant discomfort – they’re limits for a reason.
Another issue is that the human brain is highly sensitive to wasted effort. Studies have shown that it contains dedicated circuits, within the insula cortex, that calculate the effort required for actions, the likely reward we’ll get from them, and ask “is it worth it?”
It’s an evolved tendency to stop us squandering vital resources on pointless endeavours (for example, walking 20 miles for a handful of berries). But regular exercise, to get in shape, requires constant, considerable effort, for gradual progress and uncertain rewards (it’s impossible to guarantee ahead of time that you’ll succeed). So, your brain’s tendency to ask, “is it worth it?” will be hard to ignore.
This trait also means we typically prefer things that offer minimum effort for maximum reward. So, we take the path of least resistance, stick to routines, dwell within our comfort zones and so on.
Taking up exercise means changing all that for uncertain results. And our brains typically tend to put more significanc
