16 Things We’ve Been Conditioned to Do That Are Unhealthy or Absurd

We are conditioned by advertisements, news reports, and erroneous comments from people around us to do harmful or ludicrous things. Here are 16 examples.

1. Vape.
2. Smoke cigarettes.
3. Drink a lot of alcohol (a drug).
4. Take psychiatric drugs.
   1. This article highlights: Why Psychotherapy Doesn’t Work
5. Take drugs for every perceived problem.
6. Watch lots of television.
7. Watch, listen, and read the news many times a day.
   1. This article elaborates: Why the News is for Suckers
8. Eat tons of dead animal flesh.
   1. Humans have only been carnivorous for a tiny recent portion of our history.
   2. This article motivates: Inspiration to Become a Vegan
9. Drink the baby milk of cows, goats, and other animals.
10. Eat high sugar, salt, fat, and processed (junk) foods with nearly zero quality nutritional value.
11. Buy a house that is much bigger than needed.
    1. Big mortgage equals big stress.
    2. This article offers perspective: Big House Mentality
12. Go into debt buying gifts during the holidays and other annual events.
    1. Get purposeful, collaborative, and goal-oriented low or zero cost gifts instead.
    2. This article describes: Contrived Traditions of Gift Giving
13. Get on a gigantic cruise ship with 5-7 thousand people.
14. Travel long distances to tourist traps.
    1. Tip: Go instead to the closest, nicest hotel and live it up.
    2. This article explains: Romantic Getaways Near Home
15. Vacation in outdoor super malls e.g. Waikiki, Hawaii.
    1. Waikiki used to be charming, relaxing, and beautiful. Not so anymore. Now it’s just a big shopping center. To make room, many longstanding restaurants and bars were demolished.
    2. My Hawaii story (written before my 2018 visit): Romantic Getaways to Island Paradises
16. Get a hotel where 100-350 thousand people are staying e.g. Las Vegas Strip.
    1. Tip: Stay at neighborhood hotel-casino resorts away from The Strip. Almost always less expensive, less crowded, and more friendly. Sorry, I must keep my favorite secret. 😎
    2. This article details: Living in Las Vegas: The Good, Bad, & Ugly

Do not follow advertisements, news reports, popular trends, advice from “so-called” experts, or the practices of people around you. Look past them, do what’s best for you, and get inventive. You’ll save your health, mind, and money. And you’ll enjoy your life, home, and recreation much more.