When Mark Twain quipped that one should be careful in reading books of health, he touched on a complex, seemingly paradoxical, universal problem. We are fortunate to live in societies rich in calories, indulgences, and leisure. For this, our biological selves are truly grateful.
On the other hand, we are also fortunate to have what Vonnegut in Galapagos called “big brains,” frequently capable of rational thought. As we have developed more delicious foods and more extensive luxuries, alarmed members of society have turned these big brains on the body, analyzing every iota of input and output.
And so came the terrible schizophrenia of materialistic views on health. Healthy foods are defined by what appears to be the whims and myopic preferences of societies, authors, and some vague sense of “optimal” health. Healthy exercise is fetishized and idealized as some lofty goal that requires pain and discipline.
All of this, of course, takes a toll on the minds and bodies of what is generally considered to be a glorified monkey with a penchant for salt and fat.
What does health even look like?
Most of us think that health is sexy, flat-bellied, with 2% body fat. Most of us think that health is smoke free, drug free, and carb free. Most of us think that health is happy all the damn time.
Of course, the world-famous Jack LaLanne, notable for his juicers and emphasis on regular exercise, is still kicking at 94. On the other hand, George Burns died just after his 100th birthday (NOT of lung cancer), after a life of conspicuous cigar smoking.
Hmm.
This unfair anecdotal juxtaposition is proof of nothing. But, it should have caused you a slight pausing, during which you questioned, even a little bit, whatever vision of health you currently see.
Reaching the goal
Once a goal is selected, people abuse their basic tendencies for salt, fat, and free time. They build and refine complicated systems designed to hold that all at bay, ensuring that they become a picture of health. And they become healthy, happy individuals.
Except that it rarely works. More often than not, the goals we set are foolish, or misaligned. Other times the systems we put in place are incapable of leading us to success.
What else can explain the myriad diet books and machinery? Which systems have failed you?
Pushing through
Christopher Hyatt, a clinical psychologist, pointed out many times in his writing that most people fall into this two step cycle.
- Enthusiasm
- Frustration
Look at the end product of that cycle.
What’s missing is the last two pieces
- Renewed effort
- Results
Look at the end product of that cycle.
OK, so now what?
I say we closely examine each of the three problems with health– the goal, the cycle, and the circle. I say we have a longer conversation, one that may be devoid of harsh answers, judgments, and “simple” solutions for what health is.
By questioning our definitions, we alleviate much of the stress that comes with health, because we allow ourselves to look at it from many different angles. With any luck, we can land with an open definition that isn’t quite as painful.
By questioning our cycles, we gain more understanding about what healthy behavior looks like. At the same time, it offers an opportunity to increase engagement and experimentation in our lives, so we aren’t just accepting someone else’s maladapted system for our own lives.
And finally, by questioning the vicious cycle of failed health, we stop searching for perfection, and we look for health in who we are and what we can do. At the same time, by fostering a culture of perseverance and experiential results, we live our lives the way we want, and reduce the risk of death by misprint.
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