From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
In the May 11<sup>th</sup> edition of International Business Week, there was an interesting article titled ‘Lifestyle Drugs’. It was largely about Viagra , the hot, new drug for impotence, but it also looked at a range of other current and promised pharmaceutical company products. Products that are supposed to control baldness, wrinkles, arthritis, memory loss , incontinence and a range of other age related disorders.
As I read this article, I thought how sad that so many of us are looking for a one hit drug wonder, a quick fix or a ‘lifestyle pill’ that will fix problems that in many cases, we have created with poor lifestyles over many years!
Just as people were starting to be more aware of how they live and use ( or abuse) their bodies there is a rush by the pharmaceutical companies to create these bulk money producing drugs. In some cases, I am sure these drugs will be of great benefit; but will it encourage people to ignore lifestyle choices that are life enhancing?
For example, for those men experiencing difficulties with erections, instead of breathing a sigh of relief at the invention of Viagra, why not pay attention to the fact that the risk factors for cardio vascular disease are the same risk factors for certain types of impotence. You may not realize this, but following discussions with a urologist and a cardiologist, I learned that the blood vessels in the heart are the same physiological makeup as those in the penis. And when you ignore the viability and health of your heart blood vessels you are ignoring the health and state of those other arteries.
So they both become blocked, which not only blocks blood flow to the heart , but also blocks blood flow to the penis. Even more reason to watch what you eat , how stressed you are , and how much you exercise and smoke fellas!
Instead of thinking about lifestyle ‘drugs ‘ which create a habit (you have to keep taking them to continue the effects) , why not eliminate the ‘drug’ component and stick with ‘lifestyle habit’?
Healthy eating , moderate exercise, no smoking, now, that’s a much better lifestyle habit to comabt lifestyle diseases. With habits like these we are much less likely to need the so called ‘lifestyle drugs’.
What other lifestyle habits could you embrace that would delay or negate your need for ‘lifestyle drugs’?
For example, do something actively to reduce your stress levels and you hair may stay in your head! You will probably look much younger; you will have less free radicals which will slow down the aging process dramatically and you will be boosting your immune system so you can fight off other diseases.
Or you could practice loving yourself and giving love to others. Giving love to others have been proven to boost the immune system. Loving yourself and believing you are a worthwhile person is a great habit to foster wellness.
Having a sense of purpose in life does the same and has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack. As does keeping your heart happy, seriously, a person with an angry or hostile heart is much more likely to have a heart attack than someone with a peaceful or at least contented heart.
What about practicing the habit of laughing often? Watching comedies and spending time with your family?
Or making a sincere effort to have your heart and your head connected? Too many people in our rushed and tense society are loosing the ability to feel, all they feel is ‘numb’. When our head rules our body and our heart is forgotten ,we are setting ourselves up for major health issues. Make sure you have time by yourself each day, explore your feelings.
And create habits that keep us connected to our loved ones. Spend special time with your partner and/or children. Make the effort to have quantity, not just quality, time so you can really be with them.
In fact, why not use this article to trigger a discussion with your friends and family about what lifestyle habits you are willing to embrace to guard you against ever having to take (forever) the artifically manufactured ‘lifestyle drugs’.
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