How to "make things move in a positive direction on their own" without having to persuade others: Take action yourself first!

The other day, I received the following inquiry on Instagram:

"Even though my mother is undergoing standard treatment for cancer, she still buys and eats cheap bread from the supermarket, ready-made meals full of additives, and fried foods made with bad oil.No matter how much I tell her, she doesn't listen, so what can I do to get her to understand?"

In fact, this kind of worry is not uncommon. If your precious family or friends are eating something that you know is bad for their health, it is natural to want them to stop. However, even if you try to tell them that they should do something, you often find yourself in a dilemma where your message does not reach them or they do not accept it.

The dilemma of not being able to communicate healthy choices

For those people, I recommend the method I myself practice of "not trying to force persuade the other person."

I have had allergies since I was a child, and live a lifestyle that involves hypersensitively avoiding chemicals and food additives, but I never force or persuade my close family or friends to do the same.

Because even if I said that, it would be impossible to change people's habits and attitudes.

So how can we change the people around us?

In this article, we will explain in detail the advertising structure of TV commercials, the actions you can take if you want to change the awareness of those around you, and the practical steps you can take.

The impact of TV commercial advertising structure

Television has been a "natural" part of our lives for many years. Many people born in the Showa era must have spent their daily lives with television. Of course, I am one of them.

However, I am a little different from you guys because I have lived overseas since my 20s, and inevitably I spent a long time not watching TV, so living without a TV has become the norm. Even after returning to Japan, I never thought about having a TV in my house.

Recently, there was a documentary that my family really wanted to watch, so we paid for a one-month subscription to a video streaming service.

That's because TV's revenue comes almost entirely from commercials from sponsoring companies. And the products sold by those companies are not necessarily good for your health. However, because TV stations depend on their relationships with sponsoring companies for their lifeline, they turn a blind eye to products that are bad for you or that could cause problems if you continue to use them, and promote them on a large scale. What's more, it's out of the question for experts who criticize them to appear on TV, and the truth is never told.

For example, the following products are advertised throughout the hour-long documentary:

• Fabric softener containing a large amount of cationic surfactants (advertised by young, talented actors with the tagline that the scent lasts a long time)
• Canned chuhai with low sugar content and lots of artificial sweeteners (even though some of these drinks contain ingredients that are banned overseas, famous actors are seen drinking them with gusto)
• Bread containing potassium bromate (a toxic substance that is banned in the West but OK for use in Japan), yet the national actress smiles kindly at the sight of it)
• "Hot pot soup stock" containing a large amount of additives
  (Even though it contains yeast extract and isomerized sugar, which numbs your sense of taste, it still evokes the image of a family get-together.)

I don't usually watch TV, so I was shocked to realize that watching TV has such a negative effect! Of course, no matter how much I complain, it's a complete surprise for old people who watch TV frequently every day. Lol

Famous actors and celebrities advertise these products as if they are the most natural thing in the world, describing them as delicious or convenient, so if you watch TV on a daily basis, you will end up believing that "everyone is using them, so they can't be bad for you."

It made me realize that many people actually live their lives without realizing how much chemicals and additives they are consuming.

Why we don't try to change others

You might be thinking, "Then I'll tell people around me so they can avoid those TV commercials." But that will only have the opposite effect. It's best to avoid it, since you'll just be seen as a weirdo.

For example, if a friend serves you fake "reduced-sodium soy sauce" that is not made with honjozo, or if their clothes smell like "detergent containing microbeads," it is taboo to say anything. This is because you cannot change other people .

• No matter how much you explain things in words, it won't get through to people right away . Awareness of food and chemicals will not change unless individuals naturally become aware of them in their daily lives or become interested in them. People are creatures who tend to change their behavior drastically the moment they are convinced, so coercion or persuasion can sometimes be counterproductive.
  
• If you look healthy and radiant, others will be interested in you. <br /> Rather than going on and on about things before others show any interest, if I continue to eat and live a healthy lifestyle, have healthy skin, a healthy complexion, and look youthful, people will naturally ask me more questions like, "What skin care products do you use?" and "What do you pay attention to in your diet?" Only then will I be able to share my methods, which will be more easily accepted by others.
  
• Even family members are different people <br />We sometimes think, "They'll understand if I tell them because they're my husband, wife, or parent," but in reality, even our closest family members are "different people." Their values and lifestyles don't always match up perfectly. That's why speaking up can only be counterproductive.
  

In conclusion, the quickest way to get others to do something is to simply continue doing what you think is best at your own pace.

Changing yourself will change the people around you: concrete steps

So how can we make our actions impact the people around us? Here are some concrete steps that anyone can take to get started.

Step 1: Deepen your experience

• Prioritize physical experience over knowledge . When you start improving your diet or eliminating chemicals, rather than chasing the small details, take the time to closely observe your physical condition, skin condition, quality of sleep, etc. The more you feel the change yourself, the more likely those around you will notice it without you having to say anything.
  
• Record your experiences <br /> It's a good idea to keep simple notes about how you're doing day to day in a diary, memo, or using a smartphone app. If you want to take a more positive approach, you could also post about it on a blog or on social media. If others notice and ask for advice, show them these documents. Being able to see with your own eyes, such as with photos, how you've changed over a period of time will provide a compelling example that will move them.
  

Step 2: Make everyday actions a habit

• Look for "different options" rather than "stopping" cheap bread and prepared foods . One way is to try out organic ingredients and additive-free foods that you can buy at the supermarket little by little. Rather than "banning" or "holding back," think of it as "increasing your options" and "playing a game of choosing healthy foods" and you will be able to set an example for those around you.
  
• Change your detergents and shampoos little by little <br />Start with small changes, such as using products with fewer synthetic surfactants or environmentally friendly detergents. As you continue to use them yourself, others will often notice that your changes look good.
  

Step 3: Don't interfere more than necessary

• Resist the urge to give information <br /> Even if someone close to you keeps buying foods full of additives, telling them "That's bad for you!" is likely to be counterproductive. In fact, it's easier for them to listen if you wait until they ask for advice. Don't you think it's more persuasive to say "I did this and this happened!" rather than "Do this! Do that!"?
  
• Don't try to force change <br /> If you are able to maintain a healthy and energetic appearance, people around you will naturally be interested. If they ask you, "How is your skin so beautiful? How do you look so youthful?", that's the time to start telling them about your lifestyle and tips on choosing the right products.
  

Step 4: Wait for others to notice

• Don't force your family or partner<br />Even between spouses, don't force others to do anything; just show them that you are practicing it yourself. When my husband saw me continue to drink chlorella, he thought, "It looks like it's good," and started drinking it secretly. Now, even though I'm not forcing him to do it, he doesn't even use shampoo or body wash.
  
• Catch the timing when the people around you are changing <br /> One day, you might suddenly hear someone say, "I want to start exercising," or "I'm interested in this type of supplement." When that happens, be sympathetic and offer advice, helping them choose products and find recipes, which will further raise their awareness.
  

Case studies of naturally involving the surrounding area

As I mentioned in my Instagram article, when my parents saw my healthy habits, they suddenly said, "I want an exercise bike." Even if I had kept telling them that exercise is good for the body, it wouldn't have changed anything. This is exactly the result of me "continuing to do my own thing without saying anything." Furthermore, my parents also started drinking chlorella and black roasted brown rice tea with black pickled plums, not because I forced them to, but because they saw me and thought, "This seems to be effective."

In this way, the moment when someone close to you starts to become interested in healthy living can come unexpectedly, regardless of age. By accumulating small daily actions, you give the other person more reasons to think, "Maybe I should give it a try."

Summary: Show that you are having fun rather than persuading others

No matter how much you tell someone that "it would be better if you did this," it's common that they don't accept it easily. However, if you maintain a healthy lifestyle and show that your skin and mental condition are good, the other person will naturally approach you and say, "That's interesting." Even if you don't force them to understand, the "energy aura" you give off will be the most persuasive.

Especially if you have a sick family member, you may feel a strong desire to help them somehow or to change their eating habits. However, rather than using that energy to persuade them, try focusing on practicing a healthy lifestyle that you enjoy and showing it to those around you. If you do this, even if it is only a little at a time, you will surely see the seeds of change in the people you care about.

If you have any questions or concerns while practicing, please share them in the comments or on social media. Let's share information with many people and spread the word about "healthy habits without persuasion" together.

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