I've been in the health game for about half my life and have taken it pretty seriously for about the last 7 or 8 years. On the eve of my 40th birthday I sat down and reflected. What has all this researching, reading, studying, pondering, questioning, challenging, thinking, rethinking and experimenting taught me about health?
The short answer: everything depends.
The medium answer: When it comes to your health be flexible and adapt, make it a priority, work on it and be open to everything. Your truth and your journey is unique to you.
The long answer...
40 Health Lessons:- Figuring out health is hard. Think of a Where's Waldo scene:Try to wrap your head around the whole thing. Now, pick a window the size of a pencil eraser and try to come to any reasonable conclusion based off glimpses of a few snapshots within the scene. See how many times you are wrong and how a slight shift in where you glimpse can drastically change your beliefs. Pretty tough. FYI... we haven't found Waldo yet.
- There is no truth. Truth is water. Truth is in the eye of the beholder. Truth depends greatly on one's own point of view. (Shoutout to Obi-Wan)
- Passion = Uncertainty. The more argument there is about something the less likely it is to be certain.
- Health = politics = religion. Keep that in mind always.
- Take research and science with a grain of salt. Particularly if you hear about it on the news or social media or...
- Don't believe any documentary you watch. They are often powerful and filled with very convincing arguments but please refer back to points 1-5 before believing anything too much.
- Nothing is terrible for you no matter what.
- Challenge your dogma and don't be afraid to change.
- Your health will reflect its priority in your life.
- Nature and nurture determines health.
- The more you learn the less you know.
- You are a snowflake.
- Context and dose matter.
- Slow and steady wins the race.
- Progress not perfection.
- Don't eat stale cookies.
- Use trends as tools, not the answer.
- Every day is a new day.
- Changing lanes is ok, if not necessary.
- Everything works in cycles.
- Your body is smarter than you are.
- There's a reason for just about everything.
- Your body: Move it or lose it.
- Your senses: Use 'em or lose 'em. (including one of the most important: common)
- Health comes from the inside.
- Use analogies to understand the body. (Body, Inc., Cholesterol: Venetian Handyman)
- The more we stimulate our senses the better. Aka get outside.
- We have only scratched the surface on the gut and microbiome.
- Cholesterol is not trying to kill you. Neither is the ☀️ .
- Short term solution does not always equal long term answer. Paleo/Vegan/Low carb/etc. are great life rafts but usually won't make a good forever home.
- Moderation almost always ends up being the best.
- Health is determined by several things. You need to address them all.
- If you make the choice to improve your health, be prepared for whatever comes with it.
- Keep Calm and Use Your Common Sense.
- Health takes many forms. Your form might be different than other people.
- Stress complicates just about everything.
- Don't take health too seriously.
- Go with the flow.
- Sometimes we make mistakes- learn from them and move on.
- Optimism helps just about everything.
Thanks for reading, have a great day!
