Abstract
People generally find it easier to define healthy living than to display it openly. I see healthy living as the moderation of short-term pleasures in order not to compromise the attainment of longer-term goals such as personal happiness, a longer life, and self-actualization. My definition of healthy living allows for the use of “recreational” drugs such as alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana. For some people, moderate use of these substances may have distinct personal advantages. I see a healthy lifestyle demonstrated by the individual who values temperance in eating, work, and recreation. Many of us simply enjoy an occasional smoke or drink. However, if people are expecting a newborn or if they have an illness, they would be wise to abstain from smoking and drinking entirely. Long-term chronic use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and especially powerful drugs such as narcotics rarely bring about real advantages—rather, they usually result in great avoidance of responsibility, in withdrawal, and in conflict.
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Witkin, G. (1985). Healthy Living. In: Ellis, A., Bernard, M.E. (eds) Clinical Applications of Rational-Emotive Therapy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2485-0_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2485-0_8
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