Day 33 - Effected

The Hawthorne effect is a sociological term for the form of reactivity whereby subjects improve an aspect of their behavior being experimentally measured simply in response to the fact that they are being studied, not in response to any particular experimental manipulation. The term was coined in 1955 by Henry A. Landsberger when analyzing older experiments from 1924-1932 at the Hawthorne Works factory. Hawthorne Works had commissioned a study to see if its workers would become more productive in higher or lower levels of light. The workers' productivity seemed to improve when changes were made and slumped when the study was concluded. It was suggested that the productivity gain was due to the motivational effect of the interest being shown in them. Although illumination research of workplace lighting formed the basis of the Hawthorne effect, it has since been applied to many forms of research and the term is used to identify any type of short-lived increase in productivity.

This has made me think of how the Hawthorne Effect can be used for positive change in one’s life. In talking to a friend who attends Weight Watchers meetings, she finds that they are imperative to the success of the program. I wonder if they have a study on people who attend meetings versus those who do it online and the success of these subjects in comparison. I haven’t made that many changes in my life since starting my 40 days, I already went to yoga 3-4 times a week and ate a healthy diet beforehand. However, there are small things I was struggling with that I have now conquered (such as giving up wheat) and I wonder if it is the structure of having a weekly group workshop that has pushed me through. I am not really a “group” person or big on “sharing with the group” but I do enjoy seeing them every week and hearing about their journeys as well. We are all so different, it’s not about comparison, but more so about companions. It makes me wonder how things will change once I sign off at the end of next week, if I am really just experiencing that short-lived increase in productivity. I do feel that this experience has been invaluable and provided me with a specific timeframe, a deadline, to prove to myself that I could improve my way of life even more, and it truly has. Even if a person carries extensive knowledge on yoga, nutrition, health, ayurveda, sometimes all you need is a group of people to share that yellow brick road with.

Day 30 - The Beautiful Truth

My intuition and experience has made me feel for a while that my healthcare provider is not really there to provide for me at all. I had to call them last week to change Medical Groups (a concept I am slowly beginning to understand) so that I could continue to visit the same specialist I had when I lived in the East Bay. The phone call took over 10 minutes of Q&A with a machine and finally a transfer to a very cranky customer service rep who sighed some very heavy sighs when I told her what I needed. I use my healthcare once a year for a checkup and they still manage to profoundly annoy me at all times. Growing up in Brazil I spent my whole life visiting the same doctor, he delivered me, he was my pediatrician, and after many years we considered him a very good family friend. He would often see me at his home if needed, and he always shed this amazing kindness, we referred to him as a true angel on Earth. I have never since then experienced anything like that in the American Healthcare System. Bedside manner is truly optional in this culture.

This movie offers a unique and interesting look at the food and health care industry. Garrett is a 15-year old boy living in the Alaskan wilderness with a menagerie of orphaned animals. Growing up close with nature has given him a deep understanding of nutritional needs required by diet sensitive animals on the reserve. Unfortunately, the untimely and tragic death of his mother propelled him into a downward spiral and he risked flunking out of school. This led to his father’s decision to home-school Garrett. His first assignment was to study a controversial book written by Dr. Max Gerson. Written over 50 years ago, Dr. Gerson found that diet could, and did, cure cancer. Controversial at the time (and even today), Garrett took on the challenge of researching this amazing therapy. After a number of cancer patients, who were diagnosed as terminal, shared their stories and their medical records with Garrett, it became abundantly clear that, contrary to the disinformation campaign spear-headed by the multi-billion dollar medical and pharmaceutical industry, a cure for virtually all cancers and chronic diseases does exist. This cure does not involve chemo, drugs, or your life-savings. It is a simple approach to optimizing your body’s ability to heal itself with whole foods and alternative therapies. Who would have thought that this perfect machine called the human body can cure cancer all on its own! The catch - your doctor will never recommend it. If you are intrigued, visit the Gerson Therapy website for more info.