I read an article in today's paper headlined: Tanning's Dark Secret: Study finds the facilities can become addictive. The article spoke to the point that tanning activates the same parts of the brain triggered by drug dependence. Apparently in a blind study, groups of people who tanned and then were deprived of tanning underwent a withdrawal. Also, the vast majority of folks who tan do so, not because of physical appearance, but rather as a means to relax and to improve one's mood, and to socialize. Sound familiar?
The reasons we think we do things and the real reason we do things may differ dramatically. Take tanning, for instance. I have always been aware that I feel better if I have some sun on my skin. I believe I look better and I believe I tan so that I am more healthy overall. Yet, this is contrary to everything we know about tanning. I know that it's not healthy to bake my skin in the hot sun. We have ample evidence that this behavior is bad for us and can lead to all sorts of maladies including melanoma-skin cancer. Yet, just as the social drinker thinks they drink only to loosen up and be entertaining, perhaps an underlying cause is perpetuating this behavior. Perhaps addiction, to whatever it is that addicts us, is only being masked by our own misinterpretations. After all, it is so much easier to fool ourselves rather than to take a hard look at our behaviors and then decide to act positively to change them. The effort it takes to change our unhealthy behaviors sometimes seems overwhelming. It is at these times when the principles expressed in PREHAB can really benefit you. Paying constant attention to the 4 P's and to your intention and focus will always assist you in determining whether you are on a healthy road moving forward towards your dreams, or whether you are just perpetuating the same actions that keep you stuck in your place-or worse, mired in your past.
If we can become addicted to tanning, it is easy to see why addiction to many things is rampant.In our world feeling good is it's own reward and we have instant ways to feel good. I believe that "feeling good" through a quick fix, though, cannot possibly be as enjoyable as feeling good because of accomplishment. Functionality leads to accomplishment and that always feels good. So, forget the shortcuts. If you want to feel good about yourself and have that feeling last longer than your next hit or your next drink or your next tan, then look toward your functionality and see if you are headed toward your dreams. If not, then you may need to check that addiction and replace it with healthfulness.

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PREHAB: The Essentials for Successful Change
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