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According to a new study from the University of British Columbia, people are inherently lazy because that's exactly the way our brains are wired.
The study, published in the neuropsychology Undertake to solve the "paradox of exercise" – why does society become more lazy even if we know the risks associated with an unhealthy and inactive lifestyle.
The answer, according to the researchers, is that our brains are simply constructed to choose what is easier.
Healthy choice at a cost
For the study, the researchers sat young adults in front of a computer and gave them a digital avatar to move on the screen.
Images of physical activity or relaxation were displayed on the screen, one at a time. Participants had to move their avatar to the active option and move away from the lazy one as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, the electrodes recorded their brain activity.
The study found that participants generally made the healthiest choice and quickly turned to exercise images – but their brains worked harder to do so.
This animation shows the tasks performed by the participants.
"The exciting novelty of our study is that it shows that the faster avoidance of physical inactivity has a cost – and that it's about an implication. increased brain resources, "said Matthieu Boisgontier, a postdoctoral researcher at UBC and senior author of the study.
"These findings suggest that our brain is naturally attracted to sedentary behaviors."
Boisgontier said that our attraction to lazy days has probably been strengthened over the generations.
"Energy conservation has been essential to human survival, as it has allowed us to be more efficient in foraging for food and shelter, competing with partners. avoid predators, "he said.
The researcher adds that it remains to be seen if we can change our habits.
"Everything that happens automatically is difficult to inhibit, even if you want it, because you do not know it happens, but knowing that it happens is an important first step."
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