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Healthy Living

  • Chapter
Clinical Applications of Rational-Emotive Therapy

Abstract

People generally find it easier to define healthy living than to display it openly. I see healthy living as the moderation of short-term pleasures in order not to compromise the attainment of longer-term goals such as personal happiness, a longer life, and self-actualization. My definition of healthy living allows for the use of “recreational” drugs such as alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana. For some people, moderate use of these substances may have distinct personal advantages. I see a healthy lifestyle demonstrated by the individual who values temperance in eating, work, and recreation. Many of us simply enjoy an occasional smoke or drink. However, if people are expecting a newborn or if they have an illness, they would be wise to abstain from smoking and drinking entirely. Long-term chronic use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and especially powerful drugs such as narcotics rarely bring about real advantages—rather, they usually result in great avoidance of responsibility, in withdrawal, and in conflict.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Valley Stream, New York, 11581, USA

    Gary Witkin

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  1. Gary Witkin
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Rational-Emotive Therapy, New York, New York, USA

    Albert Ellis

  2. University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    Michael E. Bernard

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© 1985 Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy

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Witkin, G. (1985). Healthy Living. In: Ellis, A., Bernard, M.E. (eds) Clinical Applications of Rational-Emotive Therapy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2485-0_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2485-0_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9506-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-2485-0

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