Is a better planned day a healthier day? A daily diary study

Abstract

Objective Previous research has shown that intentions, implementation intentions, active planning and coping planning predict engagement in important health behaviours. This study investigated the role of general daily planning as opposed to specific behaviour planning as a predictor of engagement in lifestyle behaviours. The study also examined conscientiousness and mean levels of planning as moderators of that relationship. Design This study utilised a daily diary approach wherein 76 adults were recruited to complete daily diary surveys for 14 days. Multilevel models assessed the within- and between-person relationships between planning and five lifestyle behaviours. Main Outcome Measures Physical exercise, fruit and vegetable intake, time spent in social interaction, time spent in nature and heavy alcohol intake. Results Within-person general daily planning predicted engagement in exercise. Interactions were found between within-person general daily planning and between-person general daily planning as predictors of exercise, social interaction and time spent in nature. Conclusion These findings introduce general daily planning as a potentially influential variable for explaining engagement in some lifestyle behaviours. Further, the interactions shed further light on when planning may be more and less helpful depending on individual differences.