As a functional-friendly health coach, one of the most common patterns I see in clients on strict healing protocols—whether for autoimmune disease, gut repair, or hormone balance—is the buildup of pressure. Perfection becomes the goal. We say no to the 200+ evasive names of sugar, no to gluten, no to all the hidden ingredients, no to skipping workouts… and somewhere along the way, we start saying no to joy- and our bodies notice.
But what if your body isn’t just craving chocolate?
What if it’s craving freedom?
Here’s a radical reframe: what if “being bad” (in the right ways) is actually a healthy, protective response?
The Psychology Behind Being “Bad”
When we overly restrict ourselves—on or off the plate—we activate internal rebellion. It’s a form of nervous system backlash. The more you white-knuckle your way through “being good,” the more likely you are to snap… and suddenly find yourself in a spiral of chips, ice cream, skipped supplements, and shame. Why? Humans crave balance. The law of polarity states that everything in existence has an opposite, and these opposites are two sides of the same thing, differing only in degree. This principle suggests that all things have a dual nature, with opposing forces constantly interacting and influencing each other. When we swing too far in one direction, not so soon after, we may find ourselves swinging back just as hard in the opposite direction.
A common example we see and may even experience, is fast or restrict, then overcompensate and binge. But what if you could give your wild side a safe, structured outlet that doesn’t hurt your progress?
Be Bad Off the Plate
Instead of channeling all that energy into food rebellion, what if we gave ourselves permission to be “bad” in playful, creative, or even slightly mischievous ways?
Here are some examples that feed your spirit—without wrecking your protocol:
- 🖌️ Skip your to-do list and spend the morning painting (badly).
- 💃 Put on music you loved in high school and dance like you’re in a music video.
- 📵 Delete your productivity apps for a day.
- 🪩 Wear something totally out of character: sequins to the grocery store, red lipstick on a Tuesday.
- 🌲 Sneak away barefoot into nature and don’t tell anyone where you are.
- 🧖♀️ Take a sick day from work (mental health day), and instead take a luxurious bath during “work hours” awhile your kids are in school, and don’t feel guilty!
These are ways to say to yourself: I exist outside of discipline. I am allowed to feel pleasure. I don’t owe the world a perfect version of me to be worthy of healing.
Nervous System Regulation, Not Perfection
When we allow ourselves controlled “rebellion,” we keep the nervous system flexible. We maintain our inner sense of agency. We stop swinging between extremes. And ironically? We stay more consistent on our protocols because we’re no longer trying to escape them.
As I often remind clients: It’s better to be 90% consistent with joy than 100% perfect with resentment.
Build a “Bad” Toolkit
Here’s your homework: create a list of 10 ways you can be “bad” in the next month. Not destructive-bad. Not toxic-bad. Just… you being wildly, unapologetically yourself. Especially in ways you haven’t been in a long time.
You may find your cravings decrease, your digestion improves, your mood lifts. Because guess what? Food isn’t always the problem. Sometimes it’s the outlet.
And that chocolate cake? It might not be calling you as loudly when your soul is already feeling free. Or maybe you’re low in serotonin and just need a good hug- in that case, come and see us to get your neurotransmitters checked!
Jade Green, TNC, CHHC
