Thank you for sharing that. I agree that the stoic philosophy is a useful to gain a sense of perspective and hopefully balance. It is when we are out of synch, either mentally or physically, that we recognise that we have been taking our body for granted. And change has to take place.I was suffering from anxiety and depression, overweight and out of shape, when I reached a fork in the road. My doctor gave me a prescription for high blood pressure medicine. I looked down that road and saw the prospect of more prescriptions and ending up riding a motorized cart around the store to get more soda, and decided it was time to change before it was too late.
I never filled the prescription, but rather decided to eat better and get fit (an option my doctor did not bother to discuss with me!). I cut sugar out of my diet and started riding a bicycle, a little further every day, every week. Those two simple choices were very effective. I lost 100 pounds and got rid of the high blood pressure. A side effect is that my anxiety and depression were diminished, and this allowed me the mental clarity to work on them further.
I found stoic philosophy to be a great help, especially the dichotomy of control. Much of what I was worrying about was outside my control, and not worth the energy of worrying about.
So, clearing the junk out of my body and my mind allowed me to enjoy simple pleasures again, like: riding my bike, playing golf, walking my dog, being outside, reading... I think those 'little things' are the ingredients of the good life, and the possessions we are told might make us happy are more like a cocaine addiction (or a prescription from the doctor!). They mask the unhappiness for a time, but they don't really make you happy and you'll never get enough.
I think you've hit on something. You probably won't make much progress at the top of the pyramid unless you have a good foundation. I know I was not making progress until I improved my nutrition and fitness. I never realized until after the fact how my poor physical health contributed to poor mental health. Our culture here in the states certainly does not help people make this connection. If you don't believe you can control your desires, and you are surrounded by objects of desire (as our culture tells us we are), then you are bound to be unhappy.
About doctors and prescriptions - I agree some are too quick to try to alleviate hypertension with medicine without looking at the cause. In simple cases, due to anxiety or being overweight then - you are right, medication isn't always the way to go. Or it can be supplemented with a lifestyle change in activity/diet. I believe some gym classes are now available on prescription.
However, some causes are more complex, involving major organs e.g. the kidney where medication is vital. The person is seriously ill with no ability or energy to exercise. Diet is also complicated. What's good for one, has negative consequences for another. So, we can't generalise.
It's heartening to hear how some people manage to self-care. With a bit of knowledge about the interaction between mind and body.
Again a word of caution - and I'm guilty of this too. The internet is a wonderful resource. However, it is not always wise to attempt to self-diagnose by simply clicking on a few signs and symptoms.
Constant tiredness can be the sign of something more serious, not fixed by energy bars or drinks. In fact, they might make the condition worse.
Oh dear, I've gone on a bit.
Thanks for your insight and hope you continue well.
Now, I'd best get out there for a walk in the sunshine...