Increasingly, people are aware of the importance of good health. Keeping habits like regular exercise, eating properly, getting enough rest and taking care of one’s mental health. Health trackers to exercise classes, kale to the Sleep Revolution, unraveling mental health stigmas to avocados on everything. An application of the cliché phrase: your body is a temple. I think that’s powerful and important advice, but if you’re not convinced, I’d like to offer a slight variation on the philosophy and hope to, if not change your mind, and least have you consider something you hadn’t before. [If you are convinced, I guess that you can sit this one out. Take 5. Get outside for a bit, enjoy the sun.]

The Ship of Theseus paradox involves a ship leaving port, and to preserve it on its long journey, panels that rot get replaced, repaired or patched up. Is the boat that comes back into port, the same as the one that left? What happens if every single thing is replaced? (And Hobbes asks the question, what happens if every replaced panel was saved and made into another ship?)

This thought experiment is, in modern times, applied to ideas like teleportation, in particular, if a machine could break your body down to electrical data points, transfer that data somewhere else, and rebuild your body; would you still be you?

I’m not quiet the elegant philosopher to wax poetic on the human identity, body v spirit, or the idea of change. But I’ve at least thought of one thing. Regardless of whether or not it’s changing the essence of the ship, the board needed to be repaired. Right? Otherwise, the ship would sink! If you’re sailing on the sea, and you spring a leak, no sailor is going to sit around pondering the philosophical implications of replacing broken boards. It’s either getting fixed or they’re headed to Davy Jones locker. Or the 5th Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Don’t know which is worse.

Ships take constant repair and maintenance, cleaning and care. If the ship is meant to be a representation of the human body in the modern application of Theseus’ paradox, then it is the responsibility to take care of ourselves that is absolutely vital for us to keep journeying. [Maybe the crew is the probiotic system. The captain is the human consciousness?  Let’s go with that. Unimportant, just extending the metaphor.]

Now, I will admit, my personal relationship with my body is pretty healthy, and that’s a privilege that not everyone has. From body dysmorphia, to gender non-conformity, to victims of sexual and/or physical abuse, to the systemic racial division. To paraphrase Coates, not everyone is entirely in control of their body or their relationship with their body.

I’ve also had wonderful teachers, mentors, parents, and coaches that have given me the guidance and the tools to effectively upkeep myself.

Privileges aside, I grown to find genuine enjoyment in exercising, eating well, sleeping well, maintenance. I have a particular fondness for stretching as anyone who has smoked with me can tell, the simple pleasure in unwinding that accompanies opening my body and breathing deeply. And tell me you don’t feel amazing after sleeping a solid 9-10 hours. I’ve even picked up meditation as a great mental health routine. Mundane, but healthy pleasures.

This idea expands to my eating, as I find eating well not only a consistent and necessary habit but a fun way to challenge and expand my experiences. [See Flirting with Peskitarianism]

But let me present that argument that if the ship requires consistent repairs, then there is no harm in enjoying the process. And good repairs, ensures a smooth journey. A longer trip. More fulfilling travel.

I hope you at least consider my perspective if you were looking for motivation to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. I hope that you find habits that are sustainable and enjoyable. I hope that it will lead you to success and better overall health!