Myths that make us sick

At a Zero Harm Conference for NZTA we explored some common myths that drive unsafe behaviours. This is a sensitive topic. I will be blunt but honest. All too often we have allowed commercial interests to systematically delude and coerce us into self destructive consumption. This is done through the creation of myths.

Let's examine a few simple, innocuous myths advocated by populist advisors:

Lemon in hot water on waking is great for you

Two friends are about to undergo very expensive 10 hour dental treatment to attempt to recover teeth that have thinned, decayed and become sensitive. Both diligently followed a local "health expert's" advice to drink lemon and hot water on waking.

Lemon juice has a pH of 2. It is a strong acid. It is worse than Coke and sugary drinks. Acid will erode your teeth, increase the risk of heartburn and inflammation and unsettles your mouth bacteria. No health practitioner should recommend this and you should never do it. Water is just fine.

Good health starts with clean hands

We have known for many years that healthy gut bacteria and strong immune systems develop when we are exposed to dirt. Yes, dirt. Excessive cleaning fluids and cleanliness are not close to godliness. They cause illness. Proof: a recent study improved gut bacteria, health and weight loss by giving people a "poo pill".

Limit your cleaning fluids, never rinse your hands with chemicals and share the bugs around a bit. Seriously. We evolved to be resilient without a single cleansing agent.

Push fluids to prevent hydration

This is a very dangerous delusion. People are exceptionally good at preventing dehydration. See Waterlogged. Drink to thirst only - even when exercising. And please reduce your use of bottles. Elite athletes are well aware of this but continue to promote sugary drinks with the support of Coke, Powerade and innumerable community destroying businesses.

Sleep in on weekends to repay sleep debt

Yes, we should fret about sleep disruption. The average adult is sleeping an hour less than they need and a teen, 2 hours. Most of us repay this sleep debt by sleeping in on weekends. This will wreck your biological clock, increase obesity and diabetes and dampen you mood. You are crash waiting to happen on Monday morning. Never sleep in. Powernap after lunch or go to be early twice a week.

Avoid fat. It is bad for you

This is one of the most dangerous myths of the last generation. The foundations of the low fat diet were fabricated. A decade of strong data shows that high carb diets are killing us - particularly if you are poor. Fat is good - in moderation. For some it can be an excellent source of energy as it reduces inflammation, is long lasting and improves cognition. Don't go "paleo". Go Low Carb, Healthy Fat.

Keep emotion out of work

This shows terrible ignorance. Emotion is the fuel of motivation, movement and decision. Take emotion out and you become helpless. Emotion must be in work. Emotional intelligence underpins 85% of star leadership. The trick is to master the destructive emotions. Then we can bring constructive emotion passionately and respectfully into solving complex problems and conflicts.

Think it through. Thinking skills are critical

At our best there is no thinking. Thinking, from a modern neurobiological perspective is simply expensive and upsetting. Most of what we call thinking is "my melodrama". We worry about the future and ruminate about the past in pointless loops that drive anxiety, depression and anger.

It is increasingly clear that we actually make decisions moments before we are aware of it. The "thinking" is simply a rationalisation to justify what we do. Therefore, be present, stay calm and trust intuition.

She is just so talented

For some reason we love to explain success by imagining some extraordinary natural talent. Consistently, the research shows the opposite. Success follows thousands of hours of deliberate practice - with specific objectives, under skilled coaching and well outside the comfort zone.

We could go on...Be careful, ask who is profiting and look for contrary evidence.