Lounging on the couch, putting off doing the dishes until the last minute or not feeling like taking a single step. We’re all lazy sometimes, but is there anything we can do about it? Experts tell us whether people are inherently lazy.
In Germany, traffic expert Gerard Tertolen told many people that Don’t care too much about traffic rules. According to him, we prefer not to update our knowledge “because people are inherently lazy.” But is this statement true?
the easiest way
“We always choose the easier way,” explains behavioral expert Lisa Losink. According to her, this is necessary, because we have to make thousands of choices every day. “We just have to make decisions very quickly, otherwise you won’t be able to work.”
She says that’s because our brain capacity is limited. That’s why you can call people “naturally lazy.”
prehistoric age
Behavioral biologist Patrick van Veen says that the principle of taking the easiest and most efficient route was useful in the primitive system when humans lived in their natural environment. “Gathering food used a lot of energy.” For this reason it was necessary not to use a lot of energy, because its renewal takes a lot of time and effort. It’s helpful to take it easy and be “lazy.”
This element of laziness is now present in our daily lives, Losink explains. “Although it may not seem like people are lazy, because we are so busy in our days.” But in our daily rhythm we do many things efficiently and well, in a “lazy” way. “These are all ingrained patterns in our brain.”
Minimum resistance
In short, people choose the path of least resistance. “If we have exercise in our routine, we do it.” Deviating from this also costs energy. “But if you have to start something new, it’s easier at first to stay on the couch.” This is because you will then have to deviate from your pattern.
You see something like this in collections, for example, says van Veen. “It takes a lot of energy to deviate from the group. For example, if you walk into a group, it is very difficult to break out of it.” The same applies, for example, to a highway.
Extra time and energy
“Sometimes when I drive too fast, it’s because I’ve stopped thinking for myself. Everyone drives 90 kilometers and then I go with the group. Because I assume the group has more information.” According to Van Veen, conforming to the group can also be a negative.
Laziness can get in the way in several ways, Losink says. This mainly concerns good intentions. “If we want to change our behavior, it is very difficult. We do not like change and prefer to stay where we are.” According to her, we don’t always want to invest that extra time and energy.
Still moving
However, she says there are tricks to getting moving. For example, through the “If Then” application. “This is a technique from psychology that can help you get out of that laziness. So when I come home I put on my gym clothes, then I go to the gym and I don’t sit on the couch in my gym clothes.”
Depending on your weight, this helps to control your behavior unconsciously. “It helps if your environment provides the trigger that you’re already picturing in your head: If this happens, I’ll do that.”
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