Great question! In fact, people do in a sense learn to "become addicted" to good things. The nature of the word addiction generally takes on a negative context..."Repeating an undesirable behavior with negative consequences despite a commitment to stop." In fact, even good things can be taken to far. The real goal is to find balance in the healthy things. Exercise is good, but there are those who are compulsive and will over-exercise...anyone know that person who exercises 6 hours a day?
There are those who will take healthy eating so far that it becomes unhealthy. We are addictive in nature always looking for a way to validate ourselves and find happiness.
Things like chemical substances and pornography are a "quick fix" to the pleasure center and do indeed create a form of pleasure, but carry consequence. These types of things are a fast fix that they become addictive quickly! The brain latches on to them craves that quick fix...the easy route. The instinctive brain says, "Well heck! That worked and so why not use it again when I need a fix?" The logical brain says, "True, it worked, but it creates negative consequence and damages." Then the instinctive brain says, "Ah, shut up! Whatever...I need to survive so I will do the quick fix again." Then the addict guilts themselves and tries to fight the addiction. The instinctive brain feels threatened due to the fight and wants to survive and will win the fight. And thus the negative cycle of addiction takes place and the logical brain is weakened over time.
Creating what I would call "healthy addictions" is definitely not easy. It takes the brain longer to really latch on to these things that take more effort and work on our part; however, When one takes the time and does the "healthy" things each and every day true satisfaction and long-term power takes place. Channeling that addictive nature into a healthy format creates amazing focus and power. Just not as easy as the quick fixes but in fact can be done. That is the goal of Innergold...to teach a new language and help create a new way of thinking and living.
So here is the dialogue that should take place in the brain to stop the fight and create more healthy pathways: Instinctive brain, "Ahhhh...I need a fix! Time to use or look at porn again." Logical brain, "True, that would be easy and I admit it would create temporary satisfaction. I respect that need but I choose to do ABC instead of use." Instinctive brain, "Ah, cmon! Seriously? You got to be kidding me! I need...I need! Just once and that will be it." Logical brain, "I agree, once would be nice and I respect that fact that a quick fix would be easy but I chose ABC." At that point, move on and chose the other activity whether that is exercise, working, a healthy hobby, etc... See the difference? Acknowledge and respect the instinctive brain but don't fight. Also, don't guilt yourself for having thoughts and cravings.
Most important is to be patient and consistent with the process. Don't beat yourself up! A marathon runner doesn't just wake up one day and decide they are fit and ready for a marathon. They practice and go through the pain and training day in and out. Addiction recovery is much the same. The point is to work on it every day. Review the Innergold program, meditate, do the dailies, etc...
But yes!...find those things that you would like to create "healthy addictions" with and get started but keep things balanced. Redefine addiction if you would like such as.... healthy addiction.... "repeating a healthy behavior over time, in a balanced way, to create long-term positive results." The addictive brain sure struggles with this healthy definition which is why the unhealthy things are so much easier and damaging to the brain. Press forward and use the process every day and over time there will be healthy change!
