Without enough water, we get dehydrated and our bodily functions suffer greatly. Too much can cause excess dilution of critical minerals, leading to your cells swelling, and your body can’t function properly. Both situations can lead to fatigue, seizures, organ failure, and even death. Something as simple as water, which is critical for us to function day-to-day, can be damaging to us in amounts that are too high or too low.
You’ve likely heard the phrase… the dose makes the poison. This phrase was formed by a Swiss physician, Paracelsus, in 1538. The principle is simple… A thing may be good, but the level of benefit depends on the amount you are getting.
This principle applies to all chemicals and compounds, but it also applies to everything in life. And when I say everything, that includes your wellness endeavors and efforts to improve your life. You surely know someone who has taken self-help to a level that appears to be self-sabotage. We know that too much exercise can damage your joints, increase inflammation, and lower your immune system. We know that too much vitamin D (because it is a fat-soluble vitamin) can cause nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and confusion. And we also know that incorporating more natural and health-focused lifestyle choices has incredible benefits, but going overboard can be dangerous, limit the fun you have in life, prevent you from experiencing some of life’s greatest joys, and even isolate you from others.
I read about, write about, and practice a healthy lifestyle. I know that better health means a better and most likely longer life. The healthier a person is, the stronger they are and the more productive they can be. Their moods and energy will be better, and it makes them a better spouse, friend, colleague, parent, or grandparent. These days, though, some people are taking it too far. They are consumed with what they eat, their exercise regimen, and everything they come in contact with.
The self-help practice is something I’ve been interested in for decades. But there is a new thought emerging… can too much focus and attention in this area backfire? The answer is yes! Tim Ferris recently posted a blog, The Self-Help Trap: What 20+ Years of “Optimizing” Has Taught Me, where he delves into this issue. (Click here to see that post.) One line he wrote grabbed my attention… “To continually improve yourself, you must continually locate the ways you are broken.” In an effort to get better, we must first point out all of our flaws and shortcomings. And because we love the idea of maximizing, optimizing, and growing personally, we may have a tendency to create problems that don’t exist, beat ourselves up about things we’re actually doing well, and search for something bad that just isn’t there.
There’s a quote from Alan Watts that prompted me to reflect on this and is ultimately the reason that I wrote this blog… “If we are unduly absorbed in improving our lives, we may forget altogether to live them.” I’ve been unduly absorbed from time to time. And I am sure it has cost me. Which is why it is helpful to be aware that it can happen, take note, pay attention, and proceed appropriately.
Walking across burning coals in bare feet with Tony Robbins helps to show the power of what’s possible. Being in subzero temperatures in just shorts for long periods with Wim Hof can shatter limiting beliefs. Setting audacious goals, creating vision boards, reading the self-help books, journaling, meditating, and doing positive affirmations can all contribute to having more, doing more, and being more. I’m a huge fan, and I’m not giving it up by any means. But it’s worth taking a step back, making sure that we are not being fanatical, ensuring it’s not adversely affecting us and that our obsession about a better future isn’t robbing us of the precious moments right now. Doing nothing to improve your life is a mistake, but being hyper-focused on your personal growth can backfire. Remember… it’s the dose that makes the poison!
