There’s a kind of wisdom in health that goes beyond what medicine teaches. The best way to stay healthy is to observe yourself—pay attention to what makes you feel good and what harms you. It’s safer to say, “This doesn’t agree with me, so I’ll stop,” than to say, “This hasn’t hurt me yet, so I’ll keep doing it.” Youth often covers up the harm caused by excess, but those debts come due as you age. Pay attention to the signs of aging and accept that you can’t keep doing everything you did when you were younger—age will catch up with you eventually.
Be careful about making sudden changes to your diet or lifestyle. If you must make a big change, adjust other things to balance it out. Both in nature and in life, it’s often safer to adjust many small things than to make one dramatic shift. Look at your habits—your diet, sleep, exercise, clothing, and so on. If you find something that isn’t good for you, try to change it gradually. But if the change causes problems, don’t hesitate to go back. It can be hard to tell what’s universally healthy from what works best for your unique body.
Being relaxed and in a good mood during meals, sleep, and exercise is one of the best ways to stay healthy and live longer. As for your mind, avoid things that wear you down: envy, constant worry, internalized anger, overly complicated or obsessive thinking, extreme highs of joy, and deep sadness you don’t share with others. Instead, focus on hope, laughter over wild joy, and a variety of enjoyable activities rather than overindulging in any one thing. Keep your sense of wonder alive—try new things, admire the world, and study subjects that inspire your imagination, like history, stories, and the marvels of nature.
If you completely avoid medicine when you’re healthy, it might be too unfamiliar to help you when you’re sick. But if you use it too often, it might lose its effect when you really need it. Instead, I recommend occasional dietary adjustments rather than relying on medicine unless it’s become part of your routine. These kinds of changes alter your body gently and cause less trouble. Don’t ignore new or unusual signs in your body; it’s always worth seeking advice when something seems off.
When you’re sick, focus on getting healthy again. When you’re healthy, focus on staying active. People who keep their bodies active in health are often able to recover from minor illnesses with just rest and proper care. The Roman doctor Celsus wisely said that one of the keys to health and longevity is balancing opposites but leaning toward the gentler side. For example, use both fasting and feasting, but lean toward eating well; balance staying up late and getting enough sleep, but favor rest; alternate between sitting and exercise, but prioritize movement. This way, your body stays strong but also adaptable.
Some doctors are too focused on pleasing their patients, offering comfort instead of real cures. Others are too rigid, sticking to medical rules without considering the individual needs of the patient. Ideally, you should find a doctor who balances both approaches. If you can’t find one person like this, consult two—one who knows your body well and another with a strong reputation for skill. That way, you’ll get the best care for your specific situation.
Bacon Blueprint 