Self-help faithful exaggerate health remedies

Natalie Turko-Slack finds much to be said for a cup of tea or an evening walk.

I admit, I enjoy listening to self-proclaimed health gurus tout the benefits of some previously unknown vegetation native to the Amazon rainforest. I am fascinated by magazine articles and books disclosing how we can all live to be 100 if we just embraced kale, yoga and powdered crickets. There would be far fewer patients lined up outside of medical clinics and emergency wards, we are told.

Frustrated by the seemingly slow progress made by conventional medicine in the development of new cures and treatments, alternative medicine finds a rapt audience in those seeking relief and increased longevity.

Those advocating unproven, and possibly risky, treatments convince us that we have more power over our health and lifespan than we actually do. While there are supplements that can be of some value, sadly many of them fail to live up to our expectations. This industry is largely unregulated, and aside from those supplements that have stood the test of time, many have fallen by the wayside as being ineffective, or of dubious value.

And even if some things might generally be beneficial, that does not mean they are beneficial to everyone, in all circumstances. Some individuals can’t tolerate a diet emphasizing vegetables, legumes and those ancient grains now being heralded as the panacea for all that ails us. Jogging and hiking are good for you, as long as you don’t develop tendinitis and spend the next six months hobbling around the office in pain. Music soothes the soul, but if that music is ramped up, you may find yourself plagued with tinnitus or hearing loss.

We are not all built for endurance, either. We can marvel at the strength and perseverance of triathletes, but we can’t all reach that level of fitness, training and self-discipline. I can take my dog for a walk and lug grocery bags, but I can’t climb Mount Everest. A strict dietary regimen and reduced calorie intake may increase one’s lifespan, but at the expense of one of life’s greatest pleasures. Our multicultural society has brought us wonderful restaurants offering up a plethora of delectable dishes, but it’s not always easy to find that balance between controlling our diet or having our diet control us.

The bottom line is that while there certainly is much to be said for a healthy lifestyle, proper diet and a positive attitude, at the end of the day there are also risk factors over which we have little or no control. There are genetic predispositions to certain diseases and degenerative conditions. There are disorders that are debilitating but not life-threatening, occurring for no apparent reason.

The self-help industry relies largely on guilt and insecurity, suggesting there is something wrong with us the way we are. We are called upon to be smarter, more successful, more attractive, more desirable. The dogged pursuit of unrealistic expectations and unattainable perfection is a constant drive that is simply not sustainable. We need to realize that sometimes in life, things just happen, and are not tied to something we did or failed to do.

That being said, if a positive attitude is conducive to the maintenance of good health, then my morning cup of tea does more than give me a jolt of energy. The world looks a lot brighter with every sip. Likewise, an evening walk may not be as physically demanding as a morning jog, but it’s as good for the soul as it is for the body.

So, as much as I would like to put my faith in the newest health trends, I prefer not to be enslaved by them.

In the end, a good sense of humour, an inquisitive mind, a balanced lifestyle, and finding beauty and joy in the smallest and simplest of moments are the best gifts you can give yourself.

We need to realize that sometimes in life, things just happen, and are not tied to something we did or failed to do.