Search:       

Tuesday, 2 December 2008       

 
Home / Health

Playing the Health Odds

By:Dr. Randy Wysong


If every time we did something that would bring eventual harm to ourselves, to society or to the environment, we were given a convincing jolt of electric shock, most problems facing humanity would be almost instantly solved. But that’s not the way things are. Other than sticking our hand in a fire or falling off a cliff, or similar easy lessons in living, most choices require intelligent foresight, a measure of potential consequences perhaps far into the future.



Therein lies our problem. We like to cheat, are lazy, pleasure-for-the-moment driven, too clever with alibis and excuses and particularly good at self-justification. We continue whatever suits our fancy until eventually we are sufficiently harmed, or the contrary evidence becomes so overwhelming that we change due to the brute force of public opinion.



Although cigarette smoking, industrial smog, water pollution, radiation, toxic gases emitted from modern construction materials, and sedentary living are all proven to cause harm, even grievous life-threatening harm, they continue because immediate ill effects do not occur, or change would mean inconvenience or sacrifice. Then there is Uncle Josh, who is now a robust ninety-four, and yet has smoked a cigar, chewed tobacco and swigged whiskey since he was sixteen. There is the brother-in-law who works in the nuclear plant and has never developed cancer. There is the classmate you saw at the recent reunion who doesn’t exercise, watches virtually every soap opera and eats pounds of chocolates every week but yet looks more trim and fit than you in spite of your tofu and jazzercise. Or how about the NBA All-Star who eats greasy fast foods, additive-laden soft drinks, and candy bars? Using such logic to justify poor life choices is like pointing to people who drive drunk habitually and have done so for decades without ever getting in a wreck. Just because people can escape immediate harm does not mean such a course is wise and that the odds are not against you.



Everything is a matter of odds. If you can shoot nails into your brain and survive essentially unscathed, then certainly you might be able to smoke, lead a sedentary life, breathe toxic fumes, be unfit, and eat almost anything and possibly escape damage too.



For most of us, however, it would be much smarter to weigh the odds in our favor and use our brain (minus nails) to exercise judgment and foresight and make decisions now that increase the odds for a better, longer, happier life.



Article Source: http://www.dailynewarticles.com

Dr. Wysong: A former veterinary clinician and surgeon, college instructor in human anatomy, physiology and the origin of life, inventor of numerous medical, surgical, nutritional, athletic and fitness products and devices, research director for the present company by his name and founder of the philanthropic Wysong Institute. www.wysong.net Also check out www.cerealwysong.com




More Articles from Health Category:
Keep A First Aid Kit Handy In Case Of An Emergency
Annoying Inducing Mishaps
Better Libido And Performance With Sexual Enhancement Herbs
Will Depression Lead to Chronic Depression Problems?
Mold Air Purifier:A Seasonal Threat
School Nurses To Prescribe The Pill
Can You Really Use Hypnosis To Quit Smoking?
Are You Capable Of Learning Self Hypnosis?
Birthing Around the World
The Good And The Bad And The Basics Of Cholesterol
Weight Loss Tips That Help You Create A Thin, Yet Healthy Body
Going Up In Smoke
Colon Cleanse: Why, How And When?
What Is HEPA In An Air Purifier
Cellulite Treatment Guide

 


Main Menu
Home
Most Popular Articles
Top Authors
Submit Articles
Submission Guidelines
Link to Us
Bookmark
Contact Us

Partners
Blue Articles

 

 

- Privacy Policy -