I generally find that being healthy in certain ways makes me enjoy the time I have more. Sugar or refined carbohydrates makes me tired and lethargic -- I never knew how much energy I could have until I gave them up. Standing at my Series 7 desk instead of sitting also gives me more energy, keeps me more focused, keeps me in better positions that reduce carpal tunnel, and I think helps me sleep better.
I do eat saturated fat, however, but I'm not convinced after reading Taubes's "Good Calories, Bad Calories" that it is unhealthy for me. So, I eat my vegetables sauteed in lard, bacon fat, or duck fat. It tastes great, and I wouldn't want to give them up for a chocolate bar.
Nobody should make health a top value above everything else, and I know some do -- health is a means to your life and I would sacrifice some of my health if it meant more enjoyment. But in most cases, I find better health means not just longevity, but enjoying the time I actually do have.
Exercise, eating well, sleeping enough, socialising and having a little fun are often treated as luxuries in many cultures yet are essential to maintaining healthy living.
What an insightful point! Maybe I should eat nothing but candy, smoke cigarettes, and go into bright sunlight with no sunscreen everyday. Who cares if I get diabetes or mouth, lung, or skin cancer!
Or maybe I can just take basic precautions like eating more than three different foods? You make it sound like that is such a burden, but it really isn’t. It’s possible to enjoy your life even while taking care of yourself.
In fact, I have a much easier time being happy when my health is good than when I am sick, so I’d say these precautions are important for a good life.
I guess being healthy isn't just about disease but wellbeing. You could drink/smoke/eat fast-food/never exercise and live till your 90 but you might feel shit every morning.
Yes! Exercise and a diet consisting largely of fresh food. And then some junk food, because life is for the living and you have to find some time for enjoyment as well.
You don't have a multi-course meal with matched wines every night.
Sometimes (most of the time unless you have a really deep bank account) you just have to feed yourself. When you just have to feed yourself, eat something healthy.
Exercise releases all of the good feeling brain chemicals. As A life long computer-nerd/couch potato, I will testify that it is shocking how good it feels to exercise.
Eating properly and being in shape does a ton to boost self image. (As i'm sure motor bikes and nice meals do too).
Of course, none of pleasurably food, excitement and a healthy lifestyle are mutually exclusive.
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