Self-Destructive Behavior

Cigarette smoking, inactivity, alcohol abuse, obesity, drug use all represent a form of suicide or self-destruction. These factors combine to be the most important determinants of your present and future health. You can live longer and feel better by implementing enjoyable disciplines into your lifestyle. Remember that the impacts of each poor health decision are cumulative. The probability of an early death or disability increases the longer you lack exercise, continue to smoke, are overweight and the percentage of time you do not put on your seatbelt. Stopping bad habits at any time in your life will be beneficial. And for many of us, moderation, not total elimination from your life is the crucial element in living a healthier and longer life.

Long term habits are not easy to break. Even if you know you absolutely need to. How can you conquer a habit? The first thing you need to do is stop the excuses and avoid self-deception. Set goals and write them down. Chart your progress and keep a log. Work with other people that are trying to break the same bad habits you are. Face the reality that you are probably going to have to work at it for the rest of your life. Identify the positive benefits that have come into your life from stopping the unhealthy opr negative behavior: more energy, more money, less illness, etc.

But ultimately you need to decide to make permanent changes in your life. Crash diets, periods of being "on the wagon," spurts of physical activity are all poor practice and will not have lasting positive effects on your health and lifestyle. Exercising beyond your conditioning can have negative implications such as unnecessary stress to your muscles and heart. Having your weight going up and down on a regular basis is just as bad for your heart and arteries as if you never lost the weight in the first place. These issues and many others are for your lifetime and need to be treated that way, there are no short-term solutions.

You are the patient. It is your life and your responsibility. Many people who are at the later stages of life often have the attitude of "what does it matter at this point?" But it does. Any positive change at any part of your life will improve your overall life style. There are health care advocates that give elder care help. Define for yourself those health goals which are important to you and your family. Define a solid and workable program to approach these goals which are important to you and anyone else that is impacted by your health and wellbeing. Define a solid and workable program to approach these challenges and goals, and plan to maintain that program for the rest of your life. You will live longer, feel better, and have more energy to share with your family and friends.