MY HEALTHY LIFE PLAN

As a chronic fatigue syndrome suffer for some twenty years, you might find it strange that I’m offering a healthy life plan. But one of the strangest elements of CFS is that, despite the fatigue, the dizziness and many other symptoms, most CFS sufferers are remarkably healthy regarding the major ailments such as cancers, strokes and heart conditions. And you can add to this the fact that, since no doctor knows what is wrong with me, like most CFS sufferers, I keep a close eye on health issues, and am perhaps more informed than most, without descending to that unhealthy practice of hypochondria.
My healthy life plan can best be termed A.M.H. And I maintain that following its simple rules can protect you from most major illnesses.
A is for antioxidants. A lot has been said about them over recent years. How much is true or not, no one really knows. But one thing that is clear is that they are unlikely to be harmful, and at best, can offer protection from most major illnesses. Hence, you should flood yourself with as many antioxidants as possible.
In their unique wisdom, however, most health gurus and authorities spoil the excitement of antioxidants by aping mom and saying eat your veg – five portions of fruit and veg a day to be exact.
Oh, how boring, boring! Who the hell is going to listen to that, no matter how true it may be. So why not let other truths rise above this nannying, such as the fact that tomato sauce and frozen peas have more antioxidants than most fresh veg.
Now that is interesting, and, most importantly, appetising. Other delights such as black tea is flooded with the stuff, but to many that may be as boring as the fresh veg. But however you take it, point one of my plan is the antioxidant way.
M is for moderation. This is a hard fast rule. Whatever you do, do it in moderation. Exercise, work, sleep, sex, eating, drinking, smoking. Anything that is legal, be moderate. Exercise too much and you are in for structural problems. Exercise not at all and the flab and heart suffer. And the same can be said for work, sleep and sex.- they all have hidden problems with too much or too little. Drink too much and you’ve similar problems. Drink not at all and … well, that’s up to you. But what about smoking?
Here’s the killer. Smoke forty, upwards, a day, and you’ll die – unless you’re very, very lucky – of a smoking related illness. But again, health gurus and authorities are not exactly being honest. For is the danger the same is you smoke moderately?
Let’s get it straight from the start. It’s best not to smoke. But many people who do smoke, and don’t want to give it up, or can’t, are being seriously let down. For there is a simple question that is not asked. Is it true that moderate smoking causes cancer, or would it be better to say that people who smoke could develop cancer?
What is the difference, I hear you say? The difference is this: most smokers have unhealthy lifestyles in terms of diet and other factors. So could it be it is the diet that does the damage? Bearing in mind my previous words on antioxidants, could an antioxidant rich diet negate the effects of moderate smoking? No one knows. For the research has never been done. Because smoking is bad for you, so there! And the health lobby will not move from this intransigent point.
Yes, it is always best not to smoke. But I think it is time we had honesty on whether moderate smoking is as bad as we believe, or whether it is the related smoker’s lifestyle that is the real killer. But in the end, a simple mantra. Nothing will kill you in moderation. Unless you’re unlucky.
H is for happiness. And immediately the unhappy will say, it’s alright saying be happy, but life won’t let me.
Oh dear. What’s causing the unhappiness? Abused as a child? Failed marriage? Bullied at school? Got a lifelong illness? Well get real! Most people have disasters in life which they had no control over. But no matter how life gets, the simple fact is the main villain in everyone’s lives is themselves.
An event is more than itself. It is also the appreciation of the event after it is over. Some opt for victimhood, others realise that you’ve got to make the best of it regardless. I applaud the latter; I have contempt for the former. Happiness is down to you, no matter what life throws your way.
The importance of such a positive attitude is often under¬stated. I am a great believer that there is a psychological element to every illness. It cannot be measured by science, but I feel it is right nevertheless. Have a cold and brood, it feels worse. Get on with life, you fight it easier. And it could well be the same with all illness. So in many ways, happiness, optimism, and rising above the Cosmic Joker who throws fate in your way could be the answer to good health.
So this is my healthy life plan. A.M.H. Antioxidants. Moderation. Happiness. And if I die tomorrow? Well maybe I was just unlucky. But I’ll tell you this: I’d die happy.

© Anthony North, April 2002