Greetings! Happy Fall!
Thank you for taking the time to read my fall blog. The theme this blog is happiness and health. In general terms, there are 4 outstanding indicators of happiness.
1) Autonomy- feeling one has choices in their life.
2) Competence - feeling one is good at something.
3) Sense of belonging- 1-2 close confidants.
4) Good self-esteem and self-worth.
What strikes me most about this list of happiness factors, is that it is based largely on internal gauges of well-being rather than external. Autonomy- to think, feel, and act independently, helps us to feel powerful in our lives. True autonomy invites us to move into our authentic selves; confident and undeterred by what other’s may think, or say. The adage, ” To thine own self be true”, may sound selfish, but it is not. Rather, it honors the path to individualized expression, and give’s us permission and encouragement to shine our lights. A state of competence naturally flows from this state of self-assurance, allowing us to tap into our innate talents and abilities. Sharing our talents with others is truly one of the greatest gifts we have to give. As we say in 12-step programs, “you can’t keep it if you don’t give it away.” Having people in our lives to share our strengths and weakness with, not only keeps us humble, but helps us develop a deep level of respect for the human condition. We are literally all in the same boat.
Which brings us to Self-esteem and self-worth- the dynamic duo if you will. Here is the juncture where overall mind/body/health matters are truly measured in by how honest we are willing or able to be with ourselves. You make ask yourself- Am I feeling stressed out? Are outside circumstances and situations impacting my ability to make healthy lifestyle choices? Do I know I have a health issue to address? Am in denial about the severity of my negative patterns? Am I putting others needs before my own health and well-being?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. Chronic stress is a real problem, and not uncommon in our fast paced, upwardly mobile society. Unfortunately, the busier and more full our lives become, the greater the likelihood that we turn to quick fixes such as alcohol, drugs, overeating, spending,…ect. to take the edge off. External solutions, to internal imbalance are stop-gap measures at best, and a death sentence at worse. The good news is that you have the choice and power to break the stress cycle, to re-establish balance, and begin enjoying an improved level of health and well-being. Human beings- or human doings, are very resilient, and respond well to healthy interventions within a relatively short period of time. Speaking to a health-care professional, for ideas and suggestions on ways to begin, is a good start. If you would like further support, or help in finding your way back to a more balanced and healthier way of life, please feel free to contact me. You may also find help from agencies listed in my resource page.
I hope this information has been helpful, and welcome your comments or questions. I wish you a happy and health-filled Fall season. Take Care!
Spring 2011
Spring 2011
The days are longer, lighter, and brighter; the birds, bees, flowers, and grass, greet us more vibrantly with life and energy. Walking around my neighborhood I notice people smiling more, and responding to each other often with a “nice day” and a “Yes! It is a beautiful one!” Contagious smiles from person to person, let us set aside our differences, our “stuff”, and share in the recognition, that Mother Nature has given us all a wonderful free gift: Sunshine.
Sunshine, among other delights, is the most natural form of vitamin D which our bodies need to sustain optimum states of health and well being. Not enough vitamin D has been linked depression, which according to The Center for Disease Control and prevention (CDC), is associated with several chronic health issues such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, physical inactivity, and binge drinking.
So, if all it takes is getting some free natural sunshine to improve our overall health, why is it that billions of people are thought to be vitamin D deficient? First, it is reported that people spend less time in the sun than in previous history, due to our work/lifestyles/computers/television. And, as I recently learned in an article in Healthy Living News, even when we do attempt to get direct sunlight for 20 minutes a day it is often not enough. In North America, where the sun is only strong enough to provide the vitamin D we need six months out of the year, we aren’t really getting all we need. Hence, the phenomenon we see in the mental health field often reported in the winter months, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Not to despair, there are other ways to supplement your vitamin D intake, such as light therapy, and vitamin D supplements. There are also many noted treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder including light therapy, medication, ionized-air administration, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Please consult with your medical provider/therapist if you are concerned about depressive disorders, and treatment.
There are thousands of ways to improve your overall mood/physical health and well being while soaking up some sunshine in the great outdoors. And since we are heading into that time of the year here in Northern California when the sun will give us a healthy dose of vitamin D, I wholeheartedly recommend you get outside and get yourself some of mother natures wonderful “free therapy.” Here is a short list of 20 minute activities( the recommended amount of direct sunshine needed to absorb the benefits) to get you out in the sun! ENJOY!
- Walk to the park
- Pop on your headphones and sing while walking outside
- Bike ride
- Call a friend to go for a walk
- Take a pet for a stroll
Get creative, enjoy, and know that you will feel your best when you put your health first!