Health is wealth unless impossible

in Self Improvement2 years ago

Over the last six months, there hasn't been many days that I haven't taken a painkiller and the days I didn't I was just in more pain than normal. This isn't the US though, so the painkillers I am allowed to take are just strong Panadol, but as someone who has barely taken any through the rest of my life, moving to daily is not what I was expecting.

However, this is the funny thing that I find in regards to the "health is wealth" mentality that often comes up when I write about things like my lack of sleep, because there seems to be some kind of assumption that if I just got a bit more sleep instead of working all the time, all of my problems would disappear. would all of your problems disappear with an afternoon kip?

Unlikely

However, health really is important for our wellbeing, but I also think that too many people focus on it as if being healthy solves other issues - it doesn't. The other thing is there is a diminishing return on getting healthy and one has to consider just what level is possible and appropriate to achieve, based on who we are.

For instance, I have had incurable chronic illness since I was 16 and it doesn't matter how much I sleep, exercise of eat healthily, it is not going away and it is likely to be a major contributing factor in my eventual death. So, should I spend my time trying to achieve the "best health possible" and get enough sleep and worry about everything that passes my lips or, should I spend the time living? After all, what is the point of having a healthy body, if all the time is spent having one? Is that a life worth living?

Perhaps there is a balance point somewhere, but I do find that there is an interesting intuition that we favor longevity of life over quality of life. I think that the last couple years have shown that no matter the age group, people will lower their quality of life in order to protect themselves, even if they aren't at risk or, have already lived well past the average "used by" date. People in their mid-80s worried about dying is a strange condition, if you think about it in terms of the average age of death, which has doubled in the last 150 years. That means, my current "middle-age-ness", was end-of-life-ness. It is now about 82 in Finland and even 60 years ago in 1960, it was only 68 - that is a year after retirement.

Perhaps due to medicine and hygiene we have unrealistic expectations about how longevity of life, but maybe more importantly, because we expect to live a long time, we use our time frivolously. It could be that the longer we expect to live, the less likely we are going to appreciate the time we have and use it wisely.

It is how I see the portrayal of vampires, as with all of the potential of the "long-lived" to learn, build and affect their world - they instead spend their time hiding away in high schools. What assholes - no wonder people want to stake them through the heart, because they are fucking a scourge on society. Not because they drink people's blood, but because they do not use the massive amount of potential they have to do something useful. If they did attempt to cure cancer or such, people would willingly donate their blood to keep them alive and thriving.

While vampires (of this kind) aren't real (probably), the portrayal is human, much like how humans portray god, imagining that they can know what an all-knowing and all-powerful entity would think like - it is hubris.

Health is interesting though as while a lot of people look at those who for example make money but end up unhealthy as fools, they don't consider that they were already unhealthy to begin with. Because of this, they might not see that building experience or working hard instead of chasing health and longevity of life is actually the smart play, the one that has personal value. In my opinion, dying young is not a problem.

Dying without living is.

If we truly only have one life (as I believe) and we spend it chasing our own health just so we can be here longer, does it have more value than a short life that has more positive impacts on the world in which we live. For instance, would my daughter be better off having me around and sickly forever, or enjoy her time with me now and have a legacy of my work for her to lean against?

This is impossible to answer, because she will only experience one side of that and will likely favor sentiment - but it is something to think about.

Health might be wealth. But good health isn't always achievable.

Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]

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More consistent sleep probably wouldn't hurt XP I know I definitely need more (I can feel it affecting things), but I am still failing so far (I think it will get better if I can work this schedule out, but that requires me not getting distracted).

Spending all of your time trying to maintain "healthy" is counterproductively unhealthy though, obsessions seem to be generally unhealthy and that's what that is.

I'm very limited for comment on the vampire example as it's been a very long time since I've gotten to read books, but that type of example is stuff I've generally only found in tabletop roleplaying. All the vampire books I'm aware of have basically been romance or monsters or romantic monsters (maybe the people inclined to write about that stuff are about as limited in imagination as I am on comment where that's concerned, or perhaps the ones that deviate from those tropes aren't well received by people who insist that they want new and interesting while only accepting what they're familiar with and rejecting the things they insist they want?).

More consistent sleep probably wouldn't hurt XP

Definitely not! :D

obsessions seem to be generally unhealthy and that's what that is.

I know a few people like this where a lot of their productive time is spent making themselves feel as good as they can physically, but they end up "overinvesting" and skipping other aspects of life, so they don't feel that great and then end up in a loop.

No idea about the vampire writers, but I think "villains" are often representations of ourselves and our fears - our darker side. The way we might be, if no one was watching.

It's wild that the concept of retirement is also relatively new... I think it's only been around since the 60s where people started to outlive their productivity.

I'm sure balance is the answer... with your chronic illness I assume it gets worse when you've really been able to sleep, unable to eat healthily, etc... so yes, you could work all the time, then get sick and burnout, then be forced to rest and then get back to work... or you could maintain a consistent level of health and ultimately get more stuff done (counter-point: how many hours does Elon work a week?)

Or you could actually be a vampire and this post was entirely just to throw us off the scent... maybe people were starting to notice you never aging in Australia hey?

I can't imagine how many amazing discoveries the world has missed out on because a researcher died before they could find their answer...

"He retired" = Dead. :D

Balance is definitely key here, but there is an opportunity cost and a diminishing investment return. I feel like we are kind of encouraged to be selfish and work to feel as good as possible, even if it costs those around us.

maybe people were starting to notice you never aging in Australia hey?

It was all that bloody sun....

I can't imagine how many amazing discoveries the world has missed out on because a researcher died before they could find their answer...

Yep. I also wonder how many could have been made, but people were too busy playing X-Box. It is one of those interesting questions I have often thought about where everyone says to relax and take time off - but if someone you loved was dying of cancer, would you want the person who was working on the most promising cure to have a Netflix addiction? It is their "right" of course, but it sets up an interesting conflict.

I think about this a lot too... but more from the angle that if we have all this entertainment that is constantly drip-feeding us dopamine - then surely we'll have entire generations that can't focus on anything for more than a few minutes. How will all the arts/sciences/literally anything that requires huge amounts of focus and dedication ever progress?

I don't know about your work... but at mine management is constantly talking about taking time off and recovering... and in the same breath tells people about all the work that needs to be accomplished by the deadline (and that people might need to work late hours/weekends to get it all done).

I'd have to imagine that the person with the most promising cancer cure would not have a Netflix addiction, surely it'd take years of focus and dedication to get to that point. We've seen it with the pandemic, medical professionals all around the world slogging their guts out to help everyone else.

On that I agree a lot. Most people are healthy when young, but they are afraid of getting sick, or of doing something that might hurt them, cripple them, or kill them. I knew a lot of people like that especially between the age of 18 and 25, I never could understand the fear people, some friends had of doing something.

I had sever hypothermia as a kid, contracted on a long hike and camp excursion. I still loved to hike and camp even after that event, an individual that was on the same hike and camp outing let the fear destroy his joy of hiking and camping, because it could have been them the helicopter was picking up and not me. Stupid really but people are people.

I am glad for all the experiences I had growing up and as an adult. My health is certainly not what it used to be, but I do not let it interfere much with my life. I could see doctors, chase cures, see therapist, but in the I may be a tiny bit healthier, would I have anything to live on after paying off medical debt? What is 5 to 10 or 20 years more worth? How much healthier would I be?

As long as a person does not stop living there are always things to to do no matter ones health level, that make living still fun and enjoyable.

I personally remember that time quite differently. My friends and I all thought we were totally invincible. I cringe at all the things we did and either didn't get hurt or did get hurt but recovered immediately... I'd be so broken if I did any of those things now.

I cringe at all the things we did and either didn't get hurt or did get hurt but recovered immediately... I'd be so broken if I did any of those things now.

And you are a bit insane still ;D

Haha, no more insane than any parent who gets headbutted in the chin or jumped on when they're not expecting it.

That is why youth was/is so much fun, or used to be. Young and dumb out does old and knowledgeable a lot. Back then there was no real fear for a lot of people, now there are so many videos about the stupid things we did as kids and young adults that it seems a lot of them today just do not want to go out and have physical/dangerous/might get hurt fun.

I often wonder how many kids are climbing up on the roof and jumping off with a sheet as a parachute. Dragging a tricycle up to the top of a slide to see how far they would fly off the slide. Fun, for me it was, exciting for me it was, dangerous, well what's a few stitches in the chin, I survived, and was able to talk about it.

As a young adult things are kind of forgiven easily, as an older person doing the things a twenty something would do are kind of frowned upon by society and more harshly punished by society, and more punished by our bodies.

For me "MORTALITY" kicked in around 38, when I started being more careful and more choosy about my activities.

Yeah, I definitely noticed a big drop off on my reaction times in my mid-30s which makes it a lot harder to trust yourself not to get hurt... and the injuries take so much longer to heal.

It's such a different world now... we weren't allowed inside until dinner time. I have no idea how many hours I spent just doing stupid things in our backyard... but I guess the other side of that is I probably wasn't learning at the same incredible rate as kids with an iPad now.

I think there is some hope for the generation of kids from today's kids, they had parents that saw one extreme, and they had the other extreme, I wonder if it will balance out soon. Fun and learning.

You were medivac'd? That is cool! :D

I could see doctors, chase cures, see therapist, but in the I may be a tiny bit healthier, would I have anything to live on after paying off medical debt?

Exactly. I am not saying "don't be healthy" but do consider the value of chasing health.

What is 5 to 10 or 20 years more worth? How much healthier would I be?

It doesn't sound like a pleasant life to live long, but do little.

No it does not, that is why people need to find their own balance, just like in saving for retirement and not living for or providing for today. I do not look forward to ever living in a retirement type home, or spending the rest of my days bed-ridden in one, and or limited by what they allow me to do. I want to make my own choices, just as I have in the rest of my life, right or wrong, they are my choices to make.

I want to make my own choices, just as I have in the rest of my life, right or wrong, they are my choices to make.

My biggest fear of getting old is, losing the ability to make my own decisions. I find it interesting these days that people are willing to give up their ability in order to feel a little more secure in a world where there is no such thing as security.

I hope my mind holds on til the very end. Like you I can not fathom why so many people have given up on making their own choices. What good is life when you only get to live it another persons whim.

Hearing you speak about your daughter, would make one think you would be the one to chase after health and a long life. Hearing you bring out the truth of the matter "we can not escape pain and death is inevitable", while leaving the question wjat are you alive for and what is that life breeding, how are you managing your time and are you archiving while at it.. My conclusion and take away while everything is important you can not archive health at the expense of life expecting to archive what was a possibility then at a later date.

Hearing you speak about your daughter, would make one think you would be the one to chase after health and a long life

It is a conflict I have, but if the basic idea of "happy and healthy" for my daughter is the goal, does that require me to see it? I can support her happiness/contentment and her health, without actually observing it.

Think of all the people who have lost their parents young through illness and war, but have grown up fine. Think of all the bad parents out there who have lived long and terrible lives tormenting their children.

Your realistic and objevtive aproach to this life is what parliement needed. Instead of people building castles in the air, when they are not damaging every progress mankind makes

In fact, you are right. Health is the true wealth without which you will not enjoy anything, and many do not feel this blessing that is in their hands, and worse does not preserve it.
I wish you good recovery and health.

But, what if you can never be healthy? Can you never be wealthy?

You know your body and health more than anyone else could ever know. I like @aussininja thinking you could be a closet vampire though.

I spend an hour a day and sometimes more on my health, trying to stay in shape and train. It is also a hobby though. My goals are to stay as independent as I can for as long as I can. If health issues come up, then this may not always be the case, and I will have to readjust.

It gives me a good quality of life for now though being able to keep up with my kids and do so many more things with them. I was just out practicing front flips on the trampoline with my 7 yr d the other day. I know many women my age who literally can't because of the choices they have made.

I am trying to hold onto my health as long as the good Lord lets me.

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I spend an hour a day and sometimes more on my health, trying to stay in shape and train. It is also a hobby though.

I would like to do this too - but I don't have the dedication to do it at home.

My goals are to stay as independent as I can for as long as I can.

Absolutely. When I had the stroke last year, people said I was lucky I didn't die. No, that is not the case - death is not a problem - I am lucky I am not trapped in my body, drooling in the corner in a nappy.

I was just out practicing front flips on the trampoline with my 7 yr d the other day. I know many women my age who literally can't because of the choices they have made.

This is awesome! I wish more people cared enough for themselves that they could realise more of their potential, but there is a balance in there too and sometimes, chasing health is throwing good money after bad (so to speak).

BTW, I am not totally incapable physically either, but I am also not in the "greatest condition of my life" - but I haven't been that since I was 15.

One thing that does keep me active though, is being a role model for my daughter. I don't want her to "copy me" when she has no reason to, so it forces me out to do many activities still - but it isn't to improve my health, at least not directly.

Is it really life without living? Empty.
Like going to Italy on a vooking tour while on a keto diet. Why? You hit the nail on the head.
Quality over quanity. It's priceless. I have to admit! A little more sleep won't kill you! I promise.

:D what a wasted trip that would be!!!! :D

Yeah, I should sleep a bit more, but I also wonder that if I did, would it make a huge difference to my experience? In the next couple months (have to wait for the machine) I will get a CPAP which will hopefully improve my sleep apnea and maybe then, the quality of sleep will be better, so there will be a difference between how I feel going to bed and when I wake up. At the moment, it is much the same either side of the night.

Why so long? Months? It is days here. :/ My sister just got one. She has no rest ever! So for her! The quality of her sleep is measurable, but it's getting better. Just not overnight or magical. Time will tell.

I wish you luck and maybe you won't notice it, but your body will.

Daughter-in-law sleeps with CPAP for past five years. After overnight hospital testing it was determined she stops breathing during deep sleep. This nifty gadget has done wonders for her, don't delay if that is what is required, go for it!

I think that the longevity of life does not totally depends on how we live, feed, do sports. We never know what will happen to us tomorrow, what kind of fatal fisease our body will develop... Chance plays a role as well.

Yeah, my niece's grandfather passed away in his eighties yesterday - my mid-30s friend was given a year to live as the cancer she "beat" 10 years ago has returned. Luck of the draw.

I sympathize with your condition. Maybe you should consider taking herbal pain relievers from an official pharmacy every day? Herbal tea, consumed daily and regularly, for a long time, works wonders!

I like herbal tea, but not for the health benefits - it isn't going to cut it for some of this stuff :)

No one knows how much time they will have, clock is always ticking and can stop at any point in time. Some are born with problems, others inherit extremely good genes, almost luck of the draw it seems.

Brought up with mentality to eat a balanced meal, moderate exercise, echo over time eat to live not live to eat.

No matter how long we have, always do right by others and our surroundings, far easier to sleep at night living a balanced life, not chasing dreams of grandeur realizing we all but human.

something happened to 3speak. First it posted my old video yesterday, after that it did not post my new videos. One of them is still in the scheduled category and the other is published but not on hive. do you know how to fix this?

No idea - I have never posted to the 3speak.

there is a discord channel for issues by the looks:
https://discord.com/channels/793757909837676554/799407165098033162

thank you very much.

Go to swimming pool AND get excercises specific for your shoulder it would help a Lot.

As someone who has lived most of her natural lifespan already (74), I can appreciate your blog from a particular perspective. While I can think of reasons for living longer (I am still useful to my family and to others, I hope), still I find unattractive the image of grabbing for more life when so many younger people are losing theirs.

Sometimes I tell my husband we have won the life lottery (he is four months older), and we wonder at that. Why us? It seems so whimsical and unfair. But then, fair is not part of life's equation. So, what to do? Use our gift the best we can. Try to make a difference somehow, somewhere. Help an animal. Help a person we may never meet. Don't be greedy. We don't need more, of anything.

I love being on this platform because for someone my age, with my rather limited physical potential, I can reach out. I can make a tiny difference to someone, somewhere. I keep that in mind as I blog, vote and comment. Infinitesimally significant as my actions may be, still they may cheer someone, encourage someone.

I'm sorry you have been ill. That is a challenge more people face than most of us realize. We think of ordinary as being well. But a large part of the world's population deals with an impairment of one kind or another. The challenge is to live productively and enjoy life despite that impairment.

Wishing you many years of peaceful, productive life. Whatever measures you take to achieve that, all the best.