Also known as Law#9 Avoid trauma. Either way, there are a lot of implications here for the way we live. Our ancestors did not benefit from a healthcare system and an injury as (relatively) minor as a sprained ankle could mean death at the claws of a predator. It is likely that injury was the lead cause of death. Looking at modern day hunter-gatherers, we can see that they maintain good health as well as fitness and strength into their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond. Our caveman ancestors might ask us why we are so reckless as a society if we value our lives so much. I find myself leaning towards this thought too. Imagine what our society would look like if healthcare and easy access to food disappeared overnight. All those youtube videos of people "accidentally" injuring themselves, or acting foolishly and breaking something - Dead, all dead. Slowly, almost definitely, but dead nonetheless. Any trekker, or adventurist injured in the wild - dead. Any infected open wound - likely dead. A single trip or fall could lead to a slow end without the massive support we receive from the established healthcare system. All those drugs designed to keep those alive that have destroyed their systems through drink, drugs, obesity, negligence, or plain stupidity would most likely die.
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| We can all get injured, but avoidance/prevention is always better than recovery/cure |
Beyond these dark prediction, what does this leave for us as primal blueprint-ers? In short, use common sense. Do you need to rush across the road, or can you spare that 30 seconds to wait for the walk now sign? Do you need to drink that last vodka-red bull at the end of a night out when you can barely stand? Do you warm up, and cool down appropriately after exercise or do you neglect this crucial aspect? Do you push yourself to perform that extra rep at max weight despite fatigue and failing form, or do you break and finish when you cannot maintain near perfect form any longer. The list goes on, and if I looked at my full day I probably have done something slightly dangerous when I could have been safer. I could wear a crash helmet while on my bicycle for example. Which reminds me, I have seen 3 separate cyclists today jump a red light and continue on while I wait at the lights. I'll say it again, avoid stupid mistakes - especially when the slightest miscalculation can leave you injured, or worse. Wear a helmet, and stop at the lights - cars win against people. simple as. Oh, and wear your freaking seat belt, and get off the mobile phone while driving.
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YOLO doesn't give you permission to be stupid -
try to value life without stupid injury and risk
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Don't get me wrong, I don't believe in bubble-wrapping society until no danger exists. Primarily because we would only learn that the slightest scratch is the worst thing ever, and in result we would be training ourselves to be wusses all of the time. In effect, bubble-wrapping society becomes its own stupid mistake. This law applies to each of the other laws also. Don't over-exercise and under-recover; don't eat zero protein and lift heavy weights; don't ruin the benefits of eating and moving primally by acting stupidly in another way.
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You don't need to risk assess everything - but at
least be mindful that the risks exist
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Type 1 diabetics, I think that this law particularly applies to us. Ensure you test your bloods regularly, check your feet, don't reuse needles or lancets, don't miss out on health appointments and ensure that you manage your condition well. In transition to primal eating, take it slowly because then you lessen the likelihood of hypos and falling off the wagon. Ultimately, avoid the stupid mistakes of eating poorly (see
law#1 and
law#2) and worsening your health outcomes.
Have I missed anything? Or have I been too harsh? Please do comment so we can build the primal blueprint awareness for the benefit of everybody, including my type 1 brethren. What do you do to avoid stupid mistakes, or what don't you do?
Respectfully,
Sam
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