Introduction
It was a few years when I came across the book 'Freakonomics' written by Steven Levitt, who is known to several folks for his contribution in finding the link between legalized abortion and the drop in crime rates purely by using a statistical approach.
The underlying theme of the book revolves around that fact that statistics never lie which is validated in almost every section of the book of which the chapter "What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common?" just blew me away.
And it's for no reason that the title 'rogue economist' has been bestowed on this Ivy League graduate over the last few years. However, his finding being backed by facts and numbers only go to show that our assumptions about not being able to ascertain certain facts about life may be far from the truth than we know.
The Link between unhealthy eating and depression
Everyone knows that a relationship between unhealthy eating and depression does exist yet being 'subjective' in nature, one can hardly validate the fact in a lab somewhere using the scientific method. One way or another, depression causes unhealthy eating and vice-versa.
The most common example these days 'is getting dumped'. Does it make you feel good?
Obviously not. Not only does it leave one with a lack of self-worth but it also leaves you with a lot of time that you used to spend in the company of someone who doesn't find you appealing any more.
So what does one do to fill in the time?
You have no choice but to spend it by yourself… right? Some folks deal with a separation strongly by moving on immediately, but for those who are vulnerable… it leads one down the path of depression.
Now, medically speaking, dopamine in the brain releases hormones that makes one 'feel good' about themselves, and for people who feel a little low on the emotional side, tend to get addicted to drugs, alcohol and ahh, yes… unhealthy food.
Just to 'feel good'.
One of the best alternatives in dealing with a breakup is to build your self-worth through 'taking care of yourself' in a constructive manner. Recently, I came across this model over the internet who looked so fine who, after a divorce, decided to wake up and do something with her life. Now, that's what I call constructive, baby!
The bottom line was how she saw herself as opposed to what other people thought about of which the latter soon became irrelevant. No one gives a crap about her husband but both men and women love and admire her for what she has become today.
Most people do not take this route but continue to spiral downwards until there comes a day when you feel like 'there's no turning back'. That's a tough position to spring back from, as we continue to make the same mistakes over and over again… from one relationship to another… making things worse, leaving you feeling jinxed, not forgetting fatter and sicker.
In the case where unhealthy eating creates depression, people who naturally eat too much become fat, and have to look at themselves in the mirror everyday. Your diet is very important because what you eat controls your emotions. For example, look at alcohol. If you're happy, it magnifies the emotion… if you're angry… God save the unsuspecting soul who angers you unknowingly.
And food does that to you as well. Look at Morgan Spurlock who ate McDonalds food everyday for 30 days. Not only did he feel depressed and lethargic but was also addicted to the food as well.
At a subconscious level, everyone wants to look good, and if one loses that battle with his body, he tends to spiral downwards and make excuses for it. And I say this because I've been there, done that… but not anymore.
In Closing
A rogue economist doesn't even have to deal with this one. It's basic common sense. If you don't love yourself, you won't even bother to take care of yourself either. For what you think is what you are…
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