Humor — A Great Starting Point for Improving One’s Health and Wellness

Dancing Elephants Book Project: Health and Wellness. Group 2

Initially, I was baffled at how to respond to this prompt. That is because I presumed the terms health and wellness only applied to taking care of one’s physical health, as in diet and exercise.

Those are two subjects I know virtually nothing about as I rarely practice either of them. As I would not be able to speak from experience, what the hell could I have to say other than what anyone can easily surmise from googling articles!

My diet is embarrassing to share with you, but I will nonetheless — I suspect it will at least be good for a laugh or two. Here’s a recent example:

Three times this week, I had a bowl of chocolate ice cream for breakfast.

Well, I did top it off with slices of banana. That counts for something — no?

Exercise — I’m better at that, although that’s not saying much as the bar was set so low with my diet — only a wee bit higher than scraping the ground.

To my credit, at my advanced age of soon-to-be 70, I still run. Well, ok — jog. But let’s not get technical.

However, that’s only seasonal, when the temperature is in the upper 50s or higher (Fahrenheit). The rest of the year, my exercise program is non-existent.

The only weight I lift all year round is my 7 lb black cat Maddox — to carry her into the den so she won’t attempt to run outside if I need to leave the garage door open for a few minutes.

The thought crossed my mind to make up a non-existent diet and exercise regimen. After all, how the heck would anybody know?

But then I said to myself: Nah — that’s not my style. For those who know me, I pride myself on my honesty and authenticity.

I was stuck. That was until I had an out-of-the-box idea — something new to try before waving my arms up in surrender, begging Lady Dr. Gabriella Korosi to allow me to skip this month’s prompt. Promising this will be the only one.

Anyhow, here was my idea — why not look up the formal definitions of health and wellness? Perhaps I was defining them in too narrow terms.

I excitedly keyed health and wellness in the google search bar, clicked on the very first link, and lo and behold, my hope was validated — the definitions went beyond physical health.

Mental health was equally applicable.

As per the study.com website, here is what I found.

Health is defined as the overall mental and physical state of a person; the absence of disease.

Wellness refers to the state of being in optimal mental and physical health. It’s about living a life full of personal responsibility and therefore taking proactive steps for one’s entire well-being.

Now I had something to work with. I could focus my article purely on the mental health and wellness aspect.

Not that I don’t have more than my fair share of unresolved mental issues. My readers are quite familiar with that, ad nauseam.

But at least I’m working on them. Far more so than the effort I put into my diet. Although you only live once, and I gotta tell you — the banana-sliced topped ice cream is one helluva yummy way to start my day.

Time for Me to Get Serious

My apologies in advance for the abrupt reversal in the tone of this article. I’ll give you a few moments to settle in and adjust.

60,59,58,57,56 ….,5,4,3, 2,1

Ok — hopefully, you’re ready now.

All kidding aside, I’m very serious about my mental wellness. I’ve worked hard my entire life at becoming healthier, especially over the last few years.

I’m thrilled to say I’ve reaped the benefits. My self-esteem has incredibly improved. I love myself more than ever before. I respect myself for all the effort I continue to put in each and every day.

What is Mental Wellness

There are many definitions on the Internet, some quite dry and technical.

This is the most down-to-earth, relatable definition I found. It comes from the Volunteers of America website.

Mental Wellness:

“A state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”

Mental Wellness Guidelines

The website gives the following six guidelines on how to improve one’s mental wellness. For each of them, I included what actions I’m taking that work towards that specific one.

1. Allowing yourself to seek professional help if you need it

I have weekly therapy sessions. My therapist Gerard and I talk about whatever situations are causing me stress, and come up with coping mechanisms that are a good fit for me. We also discuss ways I can utilize my strengths to benefit others and to live a fuller, more joyous life.

2. Staying in contact with friends, family, and your community

I talk regularly with good friends and family. Hopefully, as Covid continues to wane in frequency and intensity, we will get together face-to-face more often.

My support community has expanded in two significant ways. One is via the 12-step Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACoA) fellowship.

Multiple times per week, I attend Zoom Meetings with men and women all over the world who are working their respective butts off to become the best possible versions of themselves. They are positively inspirational.

Second, I am blessed to have made many precious friendships with my fellow Medium writers. You guys know who you are. We consistently encourage each other to make progress on our personal journeys.

3. Finding ways to keep a positive outlook

That’s been mostly about learning to work with my inner critic, as that is where all my negativity stems from.

The most effective strategy I have found is to recognize my inner critic knows shit about me. It only speaks lies, no matter how convincing its message may seem to be at times.

When I hear the voice of my inner critic, I turn away from it and turn towards the direction of my truth — which is I’m perfectly fine.

Contrary to my inner critic's opinion, there is nothing wrong with me. We all have weaknesses. One of my biggest strengths is I’m willing to look at and work on them. I respect that about myself.

4. Incorporating physical exercise into your routine

Oy, back to that again. Did they have to include that as a guideline??? Ok, I shall take a one-day at a time approach. Today, I shall go for a walk.

5. Volunteering or helping others

I already do this in multiple ways. The first one that comes to mind is by mentoring a couple of people, both of whom are millennials.

One is Asmita, a lovely young lady who lives in India whom I met a couple of years back on a meditation site. She talks with me about what’s going on in her life- her struggles and successes.

Multiple times, she has told me how comfortable she is sharing her feelings with me, knowing that I will always be there for her to listen, free of judgment. I’m blessed to be held in such high regard.

6. Developing coping skills that are right for you.

My strategies begin with recognizing it’s not just me who mightily struggles with life at times — It’s a universal phenomenon. That takes away the part of me that tends to throw a pity party.

Second, I do my best to view each challenging situation as a learning opportunity from which I can take away one or more lessons to apply the next time a similar situation comes up.

Lastly, whatever the stressful situation might be, I assess whether it’s something I can do something about or whether it’s not at all within my control.

If it falls into the former category, I do my best to carefully consider what action might be most helpful, rather than reacting in a knee-jerk fashion.

If the situation is one that is beyond my control, I do my best to view it as a lesson in acceptance. Also to appreciate it’s not the end of the world even though it may feel that way at the moment.

What strategies do you use when working on your mental wellness?

My Wish For You

I wish for you to take good care of yourself in every possible way. To not settle for surviving, and to instead strive to thrive, as that is your birthright.

That means taking good care of your physical health, via diet and exercise. Do yourself a favor and don’t follow my diet plan, lol.

It also means taking care of your mental wellness. First and foremost, be kind to yourself. Be forgiving of your flaws. Be appreciative of your strengths.

Recognize that taking care of your mental wellness is an ongoing process. Some days will be more productive than others. Please don’t get discouraged. Don’t be hesitant to reach out for help from others. That is a gift to them, as much as a gift to you.

Be well,

Art

A huge thank you to the awesome editors of the Dancing Elephants Book Project, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Sharing Randomly and Lady Dr. Gabriella Korosi

References:

1.

2. study.com website