Can being too healthy make us unhealthy?

A Little Bit Of What We Fancy Can Do Us Good

You know how it is, that packet of chocolate biscuits lies seductively across the table, its wrapper begging you to unfasten it and savour the sweet delights within. You know you want to, but you dare not. Quickly you look away, knowing that if you gave into temptation, one nibble would lead to an empty packet. But there is a word that can solve this problem: “moderation.” .

Eat sweets in moderation

This sea-saw of extremities can also be found in other areas of life. Perhaps you are a running fanatic, constantly pushing the boundaries and stretching your body to extremes every single day, even when you are tired and there is thick ice on the ground or you have to rise at 4.30 a.m. every morning when you really should rest. Staying in bed may sound like a nice idea but the thought of resting would play havoc on your mind and you would not be able to sleep. So you get yourself up and start running on empty which might make you feel good mentally but physically you could be a candidate for exhaustion, injuries and even lasting physical harm as you become caught up in this need for control.

Obsessions such as these usually start out as good intentions which quickly take over your life as they need to be repeated day in, day out. Failing to do so, would lead to anxiety. Any kind of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is unhealthy, both physically and mentally. While we know that it would be wrong to consume an entire packet of biscuits, it would be equally damaging to have none at all as this could lead to cutting out carbs altogether which could cause us to question sweet things, etc.

OCD is a distraction that develops as a result of failing to address an outstanding issue such as a looming redundancy, relationship problems etc. Instead of the attention being placed on that matter, it is channelled into a small obsession which can turn us into its slave.

Whilst regular exercise is good for us, exercising to the extreme is not. Those who have confined themselves to the gym every single day are actually doing more harm than good. Too much vigorous exercise can cause a tremendous strain on the muscles as they should rest after strenuous activity. If constantly overworked, tendons can become damaged and cause severe pain thus defeating the object. Exercise at this pace can also accelerate the risk of heart problems and osteoporosis. Not to mention psychological disorders such as isolation due to being constantly at the gym.

Therefore, indulging in a little of what you fancy can be a good thing. So go ahead and have a biccy or two with that cup of tea as a reward for not going without and not going to the extreme. A healthy balance is a great way to feel content with making good decisions without eliminating the object or situation altogether. Abstaining from certain foods could even have the opposite effect and promote binge eating which brings with it a whole new set of problems.

While there are many things that are good for us and many equally as bad, we are the ones who put our own labels on how damaging they are for us. By adding a bit of colour to a black and white mind set, we are in a better position to control our obsessions. This frees us from their restraints and enables us to address those complicated areas of our lives that we have buried under a set of rituals. By becoming balanced in our way of thinking, our relationships will improve, life will become smoother and we will be able to solve those problems easier, allowing us to enjoy life rather than endure it.