Do your grocery shopping in the morning, when you have more self-control than after a long day at work, to reduce the temptation to buy unhealthy snacks. And aim to get up at the same time every day; it boosts productivity and helps prevent mental health problems. These are just two of the research-backed tips collected by Vonken and Metz and shared through Maastricht University’s Instagram, website and intranet last year.
The idea for the project was born during a health psychology conference in Bremen. “Before the conference, we attended a workshop where we were asked to come up with a science communication activity”, explain Vonken and Metz. In other words, how can you get your research noticed by the general public? The two researchers set themselves an additional challenge: “Our work focuses on health promotion and behavioural change. So when we’re asked to communicate something, we immediately start thinking about how we can use that to actually make a difference. That’s what we ultimately want – it has to serve a purpose.”
Ginger shots
The answer came naturally to them. “When my friends hear about my work, they often ask things like, ‘Should I take ginger shots?’ There’s so much health information out there, and not all of it is true. And I don’t have the answer to that question – I’m not a dietician”, says Vonken, who now works in the Prevention and Vitality Programme at MUMC+. “But there are things I do know, or that my colleagues know. They develop complex interventions to help young people eat more healthily, for example. So, perhaps we should make that research more visible and share more of our knowledge.” Metz adds, “We thought, if we’re going to share research findings, they should be useful for students in particular. As a target group, they are relatively open to change.”
And so what began as an idea in Bremen became a project in Maastricht. Vonken and Metz approached their colleagues for evidence-based dos and don’ts revolving around themes such as healthy eating, love and sex, and sleep. “The tips range from ‘Put your phone away half an hour before bed’ to the importance of contraception”, says Metz. “And they’re not necessarily groundbreaking”, adds Vonken. “They’re easy to apply and were met with a lot of enthusiasm. Someone at the hospital even asked if the tips could be shared there.”
However, the project’s original target group – students – was less responsive. “We didn’t get a lot of reactions, so we don’t know who actually read the tips on the university website or social media. It’s hard to tell”, the two researchers admit. “And because we chose the topics ourselves, it’s possible they didn’t fully resonate with students.”
Tear-off calendar
In total, around twenty tips were shared, but there’s no shortage of source material. “There’s so much interesting research being published, but it can be difficult for non-researchers, like students, to find. It just ends up gathering dust on a shelf instead. We could definitely keep this project going for a while”, say Vonken and Metz, who have already started brainstorming new ideas. “The format seems to work well. We could make a tear-off calendar, with a tip for each day.”