The goal should be to get to a point where we love ourselves enough to put our health first and reap the personal benefits that come with this. But if you’re not there yet, how about we lean on this idea: If not for yourself, then do it for the rest of society.
I heard the phrase, “this isn’t for me, it’s for you” thrown around a lot during the height of the COVID epidemic with reference to masks. I’m not here to get into the politics or the science on this topic but I do want to highlight how we should practically apply this concept to our health as a whole to provide a framework to help keep us a little more accountable.
Having poor health does not just affect you. Truthfully having poor health impacts those that live with you, those that have to interact with you, and really society as a whole.
When we have poor health habits, we set an example for those who are living with us to do the same. When we continue to eat junk foods that leave us feeling depressed and anxious, we are less enjoyable to interact with. When we fail to fuel our bodies with nutrients that support optimal brain and body function, we are unable to contribute to society as well as we could. When we keep buying those packaged foods loaded with ingredients that cause damage to the environment to be produced, we are supporting practices that hurts us all. When we fail to get our health under control, we contribute to the massive (and growing) health care expenses that are hurting our economy.
If you study philosophy from nearly any period of human existence, you will see a continued emphasis on the whole world being one organism that works in harmony and is dependent on each other. You will see the stressed importance of playing your part in society and playing it well. Even ancient civilizations realized that this was not only the key to a thriving society but also a key to happiness. We can all rest a little easier when we know the good decisions we are making are helping not only us but those around us.
So if not out of self-love, consider the responsibility you have to the rest of society to be healthy. It’s something you can do for others that will provide even more for you.
Thanks for reading,
Chris Irvin
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