If you're just joining us, check out the explanation of my "New Life Resolution"
Day #55 - Social
According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The social dimension of wellness encourages contributing to one's human and physical environment to the common welfare of one's community. Social Wellness emphasizes the interdependence with others and nature. It includes the pursuit of harmony in one's family. As you travel a wellness path, you'll become more aware of your importance in society as well as the impact you have on nature and your community. You'll take an active part in improving our world by encouraging a healthy living environment and initiating better communication with those around you. You'll actively seek ways to preserve the beauty and balance of nature along the pathway."
There have been more times in my life that I have been socially unhealthy than I would like to remember.
When I was in college and moved from dorm life to living off-campus, I desperately missed the friendships that were so easily started and maintained in the dorms. It was routine to leave your room door open and people would just pop by to chat as they walked down the hall. Living in a townhouse off-campus definitely didn't lend itself to those sorts of interactions anymore.
After college, I moved to Indianapolis where I didn't know a soul and spent many a lonely weekend holed up in my apartment before I found new friends and activities to fill my social calendar.
For me, the path to social wellness is, once again, in reaching a state of balance. I definitely need other people in my life, but I also need some "alone" time to recharge. After a day of working and playing with other people, it's nice to have some time to veg in front of the TV or dig into a good book all by myself. On the other hand, after a day spent in grungy clothes cleaning my house by myself, getting dressed up and going out for dinner and drinks with friends is just what the doctor ordered.
The other thing that I consider when trying to get myself socially healthy is what my soul needs from social interactions at the time. Let me explain. I am blessed to be friends or acquaintances with a wide variety of people. There are SAHMs, single working women, poker buddies, motorcycling chums, fellow actuaries and, of course, my family. When choosing who to spend time with, I often think of them in terms of food (perhaps this may be part of my weight issue....hmmmm) and what I need at the moment to nourish my soul. For example, some friends are a big slice of chocolate cake. They are fun and indulgent in all the right ways. Other friends are more like a chicken breast and vegetables. They may appear plain to others, but the time I spend with them makes me stronger and healthier. Then there are my "chips and dip" friends. They are spicy and tangy and just what I need when I want to be adventurous.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
A New Life's resolution - Day #54 (Emotional)
If you're just joining us, check out the explanation of my "New Life Resolution"
Day #54 - Emotional
According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The emotional dimension of wellness emphasizes an awareness and acceptance of one's feelings. Emotional wellness includes the degree to which one feels positive and enthusiastic about oneself and life. It includes the capacity to manage one's feelings and related behaviors including the realistic assessment of one's limitations, development of autonomy, and ability to cope effectively with stress. The emotionally well person maintains satisfying relationships with others."
I may not often feel Intellectually ill, but sometimes I am the poster child for emotional illness. ....wait....that didn't come out right....
Anyway.... Next to trying to find physical wellness, struggling for emotional wellness has been one of my hardest tasks. I think I was always a bit of a melancholy child and I was told I was "too sensitive" from the time I emerged from the womb, I swear! For some reason I have this deep abiding need for other people to "get" me. I want them to understand why I'm angry or frustrated. I need them to be excited when something excites me because it's the "coolest thing I've ever seen!" When they don't, (which is inevitable, really) I take it as a personal affront.
When you combine this desperate need to be understood with my desire to be empathetic to those around me, you have one heck of an emotional rollercoaster ride!
So, what do I reach for most often when I'm feeling down? First, these amazing little white pills called Bupropion (marketed as Wellbutrin). They are an antidepressant and they are seriously a blessing.
This is the point where my mother's voice enters my head telling me not to tell everyone that I'm medicated. She's of the generation that thinks the stigma involved with admitting you need chemical assistance or that you see a psychologist is to be avoided at all costs even if taking said meds and seeing said doc is one of the best things you've ever done. Believe me when I say the decision to take an antidepressant was not one I made without a serious amount of soul-searching and research into alternatives. Despite my doctor's suggestion of it, it took me well over a year to take the plunge because I thought that needed it meant I was weak or that I was one step from being checked into an asylum. I thought that I just needed to pep talk myself into feeling better (even though I'd tried to do that unsuccessfully for years) or that I just had to "decide" to be happy. Admitting that my depression was actually something caused by a chemical imbalance in my body rather than a character flaw freed me up to get the help that I desperately needed.
With the help of that little pill, the thought of walking out into the world each morning is much less daunting!
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Second, there is something incredibly soothing about the cute fuzzy muzzle of my little Sasha puppy. If I'm feeling sad or lonely a few licks from her and the world is a brighter place. If you have a pet, you know what I'm talking about. If you don't you MUST go and get yourself one of these precious bundles of love. They don't care if you didn't wash your hair that day or if you're wearing your fat pants. All they know is playing and sleeping and loving you unconditionally. If that doesn't cure what ails you, I don't know what will.
Day #54 - Emotional
According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The emotional dimension of wellness emphasizes an awareness and acceptance of one's feelings. Emotional wellness includes the degree to which one feels positive and enthusiastic about oneself and life. It includes the capacity to manage one's feelings and related behaviors including the realistic assessment of one's limitations, development of autonomy, and ability to cope effectively with stress. The emotionally well person maintains satisfying relationships with others."
I may not often feel Intellectually ill, but sometimes I am the poster child for emotional illness. ....wait....that didn't come out right....
Anyway.... Next to trying to find physical wellness, struggling for emotional wellness has been one of my hardest tasks. I think I was always a bit of a melancholy child and I was told I was "too sensitive" from the time I emerged from the womb, I swear! For some reason I have this deep abiding need for other people to "get" me. I want them to understand why I'm angry or frustrated. I need them to be excited when something excites me because it's the "coolest thing I've ever seen!" When they don't, (which is inevitable, really) I take it as a personal affront.
When you combine this desperate need to be understood with my desire to be empathetic to those around me, you have one heck of an emotional rollercoaster ride!
So, what do I reach for most often when I'm feeling down? First, these amazing little white pills called Bupropion (marketed as Wellbutrin). They are an antidepressant and they are seriously a blessing.
With the help of that little pill, the thought of walking out into the world each morning is much less daunting!
+207.jpg)
Friday Follow again!
It's time for another Friday Follow! Check out some of the amazing bloggers, follow them to read more of their adventures and don't forget to check out this week's sponsor: Toothsoap!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
A New Life's resolution - Day #53 (Intellectual)
If you're just joining us, check out the explanation of my "New Life Resolution"
Day #53 - Intellectual
According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The intellectual dimension of wellness encourages creative, stimulating mental activities. An intellectually well person uses the resources available to expand one's knowledge in improved skills along with expanding potential for sharing with others. An intellectually well person uses the intellectual and cultural activities in the classroom and beyond the classroom combined with the human resources and learning resources available within the university community and the larger community."
This week, we've been discussing how I find health when I'm feeling illness in a certain dimension of wellness.
I must admit that, for me, the area of Intellectual wellness may be my Achilles' Heel. During my life I have most definitely gotten the most positive feedback and attention because of my intellect and I have to say I've bought into it. Unfortunately I may have bought into it so much that I've become an intellectual snob.
I'm not proud to admit it, but there are times when I regard people with some disdain if I think they aren't intellectually involved in what's going on around them or curious about what makes the world work the way it does. When I called my parents during the presidential debates in 2008 and they weren't watching them, I wanted to reach through the phone and throttle them. When I went on a trip with some friends to Dallas and they wanted to go shopping rather than learn about the Kennedy assassination, to say I was extremely disappointed is putting it mildly.
Like I said, these may not be some of my finer characteristics, but they are all part of me none the less.
So, whether it's because I've deluded myself into thinking I'm smarter than I am or simply because my intellectual self-esteem is healthy, I am happy to say that I don't often feel intellectually ill.
The downside to that is when I do, my ego takes a massive hit and I can be down for the count. Luckily it's nothing that a good dose of Jeopardy! can't cure.
Day #53 - Intellectual
According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The intellectual dimension of wellness encourages creative, stimulating mental activities. An intellectually well person uses the resources available to expand one's knowledge in improved skills along with expanding potential for sharing with others. An intellectually well person uses the intellectual and cultural activities in the classroom and beyond the classroom combined with the human resources and learning resources available within the university community and the larger community."
This week, we've been discussing how I find health when I'm feeling illness in a certain dimension of wellness.
I must admit that, for me, the area of Intellectual wellness may be my Achilles' Heel. During my life I have most definitely gotten the most positive feedback and attention because of my intellect and I have to say I've bought into it. Unfortunately I may have bought into it so much that I've become an intellectual snob.
I'm not proud to admit it, but there are times when I regard people with some disdain if I think they aren't intellectually involved in what's going on around them or curious about what makes the world work the way it does. When I called my parents during the presidential debates in 2008 and they weren't watching them, I wanted to reach through the phone and throttle them. When I went on a trip with some friends to Dallas and they wanted to go shopping rather than learn about the Kennedy assassination, to say I was extremely disappointed is putting it mildly.
Like I said, these may not be some of my finer characteristics, but they are all part of me none the less.
So, whether it's because I've deluded myself into thinking I'm smarter than I am or simply because my intellectual self-esteem is healthy, I am happy to say that I don't often feel intellectually ill.
The downside to that is when I do, my ego takes a massive hit and I can be down for the count. Luckily it's nothing that a good dose of Jeopardy! can't cure.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
A New Life's resolution - Day #52 (Spiritual)
If you're just joining us, check out the explanation of my "New Life Resolution"
Day #52 - Spiritual
According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The spiritual dimension of wellness involves seeking meaning and purpose in human existence. It includes the development of a deep appreciation for the depth and expanse of life and natural forces that exist in the universe."
The Spiritual dimension of wellness may be the hardest one for me to keep myself "healthy" in. Finding the things that make me spiritually healthy is something that seems like it's been a life-long pursuit.
Growing up in the Lutheran church, I think I was all about being the "good girl". That translated into always being able to say the things the teachers and pastors were looking for. I was a whiz at memorizing bible verses and I've heard my share of stories from the bible. But for me, that's the problem. They were only words to be memorized and stories to hear. They never went any deeper than that. Perhaps it was because asking questions was not encouraged or because of the hypocracy I saw in the (mostly) adults around me. They would say/do one thing on Sunday and most often act a completely different way the rest of the week. That just didn't add up in my mind.
Even now, many of my friends on Facebook routinely thank God for blessings in their lives. Seldom do they ever rail against Him because they are in pain or have experienced a loss. The relationship with God has always seemed very one-sided for me. I am to do what I am told and be a good girl. Thank him for the things I receive, but never am I allowed to "talk back". Rarely do I feel like I get a response from Him.
So, how do I find spiritual healing and peace? Most of the time I think I'm sort of eastern in my beliefs. I believe in kharma and that I may not always get what I want, but if I send out good thoughts/actions into the universe, I will receive blessings in return. I also believe in being genuine (in a caring way, hopefully) with the people I come in contact with. If I feel that I've been injured, I try to get that off of my chest with the assailant. If I have been unkind to someone, I try to express my sorrow and ask for forgiveness. If I care for someone, I tell them. After all, we don't know how many days we have with them. I don't profess to be 100% proficient at any of these things, but I try to stay mindful most of the time and often I am rewarded. In fact, recently I had two former classmates tell me how much they enjoyed reading my blog and that I have been a help to them. This was a huge spiritual boost for me when I needed it most. (Little did they know.)
The other thing that I sometimes long for when I'm feeling spiritually down are those deja vu moments. It may sound silly, but for me, those times when I feel like I've been somewhere or seen something before feel like signposts from God. It's like he has a plan for my life and a path he wants me to follow. When I experience those signposts, it feels like I'm heading in the right direction.
Day #52 - Spiritual
According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The spiritual dimension of wellness involves seeking meaning and purpose in human existence. It includes the development of a deep appreciation for the depth and expanse of life and natural forces that exist in the universe."
The Spiritual dimension of wellness may be the hardest one for me to keep myself "healthy" in. Finding the things that make me spiritually healthy is something that seems like it's been a life-long pursuit.
Growing up in the Lutheran church, I think I was all about being the "good girl". That translated into always being able to say the things the teachers and pastors were looking for. I was a whiz at memorizing bible verses and I've heard my share of stories from the bible. But for me, that's the problem. They were only words to be memorized and stories to hear. They never went any deeper than that. Perhaps it was because asking questions was not encouraged or because of the hypocracy I saw in the (mostly) adults around me. They would say/do one thing on Sunday and most often act a completely different way the rest of the week. That just didn't add up in my mind.
Even now, many of my friends on Facebook routinely thank God for blessings in their lives. Seldom do they ever rail against Him because they are in pain or have experienced a loss. The relationship with God has always seemed very one-sided for me. I am to do what I am told and be a good girl. Thank him for the things I receive, but never am I allowed to "talk back". Rarely do I feel like I get a response from Him.
So, how do I find spiritual healing and peace? Most of the time I think I'm sort of eastern in my beliefs. I believe in kharma and that I may not always get what I want, but if I send out good thoughts/actions into the universe, I will receive blessings in return. I also believe in being genuine (in a caring way, hopefully) with the people I come in contact with. If I feel that I've been injured, I try to get that off of my chest with the assailant. If I have been unkind to someone, I try to express my sorrow and ask for forgiveness. If I care for someone, I tell them. After all, we don't know how many days we have with them. I don't profess to be 100% proficient at any of these things, but I try to stay mindful most of the time and often I am rewarded. In fact, recently I had two former classmates tell me how much they enjoyed reading my blog and that I have been a help to them. This was a huge spiritual boost for me when I needed it most. (Little did they know.)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
A New Life's resolution - Day #51 (Occupational)
If you're just joining us, check out the explanation of my "New Life Resolution"
Day #51 - Occupational
According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The occupational dimension of wellness is involved in preparing for work in which one will gain personal satisfaction and find enrichment in one's life through work. Occupational development is related to one's attitude about one's work.' Traveling a path toward your occupational wellness, you'll contribute your unique gifts, skills and talents to work that is personally meaningful and rewarding. You'll convey your values through your involvement in both paid and unpaid volunteer activities that are gratifying for you. You'll know when you're on the correct path for career wellness, when your work and hobbies become exciting."
..Continuing our discussion on what we look for to bring us comfort and health when we're ill in any dimension of our welness.....
When it comes to occupational illness, I have definitely had my down days. As I've said before, I'm an actuary and in order to become a full-fledged Fellow in the Society of Actuaries, there are a series of exams that need to be passed (think the CPA exam or the Bar exam, only there are 10 of them!) I have yet to pass them all.....and I'm old. Okay, I know I'm not really old, but to STILL be studying for exams, I'm old! Many of the people in my office passed them all before they were 30. I have 4 of them right now. That's not so bad, but it's a long way from being done and I am really tired of thinking about them.
When you're surrounded by people who have had success in an area where you have failed a few times, it's easy to get wrapped up in the mindset that you're not good enough. More than once, this thinking has really gotten me down on myself.
So, what do I do to make myself occupationally healthy again? I guess I try to get some perspective and remember that I need balance in my life. For many of the people that I work with, they have concentrated solely on studying for and passing these exams. They have put off buying homes, having families, finding other interests. That's great if that's what works for them. Unfortunately, I know myself enough to know that's not what works for me. I had a semester in high school where I didn't have any math classes. I basically finished all of the math classes provided by my high school by my junior year. So, the first semester of my senior year, I had a study hall instead of a math class. I was pretty sure I would lose my mind. There's something about how I'm wired that I need to be doing something mathematical and/or logical on a daily basis.
On the other hand, as you might be able to tell from my list, I feel like life is short and I want to experience as much of it as possible. That means delving into all of my creative interests, desires to visit new places and need for some (motorcycle) speed. If I didn't feed those needs in me, I would die a little and, consequently, not be honoring the authentic me.
So, when I'm bothered by not passing those professional exams more quickly, I remember that I used that study time to take an amazing motorcycle vacation or scrapbook for a day with my mom or spend some quality time with "my girls". That's when I remember that my paycheck may not be bigger, but my soul is overflowing.
Day #51 - Occupational
According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The occupational dimension of wellness is involved in preparing for work in which one will gain personal satisfaction and find enrichment in one's life through work. Occupational development is related to one's attitude about one's work.' Traveling a path toward your occupational wellness, you'll contribute your unique gifts, skills and talents to work that is personally meaningful and rewarding. You'll convey your values through your involvement in both paid and unpaid volunteer activities that are gratifying for you. You'll know when you're on the correct path for career wellness, when your work and hobbies become exciting."
..Continuing our discussion on what we look for to bring us comfort and health when we're ill in any dimension of our welness.....
When it comes to occupational illness, I have definitely had my down days. As I've said before, I'm an actuary and in order to become a full-fledged Fellow in the Society of Actuaries, there are a series of exams that need to be passed (think the CPA exam or the Bar exam, only there are 10 of them!) I have yet to pass them all.....and I'm old. Okay, I know I'm not really old, but to STILL be studying for exams, I'm old! Many of the people in my office passed them all before they were 30. I have 4 of them right now. That's not so bad, but it's a long way from being done and I am really tired of thinking about them.
When you're surrounded by people who have had success in an area where you have failed a few times, it's easy to get wrapped up in the mindset that you're not good enough. More than once, this thinking has really gotten me down on myself.
So, what do I do to make myself occupationally healthy again? I guess I try to get some perspective and remember that I need balance in my life. For many of the people that I work with, they have concentrated solely on studying for and passing these exams. They have put off buying homes, having families, finding other interests. That's great if that's what works for them. Unfortunately, I know myself enough to know that's not what works for me. I had a semester in high school where I didn't have any math classes. I basically finished all of the math classes provided by my high school by my junior year. So, the first semester of my senior year, I had a study hall instead of a math class. I was pretty sure I would lose my mind. There's something about how I'm wired that I need to be doing something mathematical and/or logical on a daily basis.
On the other hand, as you might be able to tell from my list, I feel like life is short and I want to experience as much of it as possible. That means delving into all of my creative interests, desires to visit new places and need for some (motorcycle) speed. If I didn't feed those needs in me, I would die a little and, consequently, not be honoring the authentic me.
So, when I'm bothered by not passing those professional exams more quickly, I remember that I used that study time to take an amazing motorcycle vacation or scrapbook for a day with my mom or spend some quality time with "my girls". That's when I remember that my paycheck may not be bigger, but my soul is overflowing.
Monday, March 8, 2010
A New Life's resolution - Day #50 (Physical)
If you're just joining us, check out the explanation of my "New Life Resolution"
Day #50 - Physical
According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The physical dimension of wellness encourages cardiovascular flexibility and strength and also encourages regular, physical activity. Physical development encourages knowledge about food and nutrition and discourages the use of tobacco, drugs and excessive alcohol consumption. Physical Wellness encourages consumption and activities which contribute to high level wellness, including medical self-care and appropriate use of the medical system.
{sigh}
Alas, the 2010 Winter Olympics are over and I have spent the last 7 days sick. I was so sick that I didn't even go to work 2 out of the 5 days last week. I spent this weekend sitting on my couch, napping under a blanket and watching too much programming on The History Channel. This was all while my dog and one of my cats vied for my attention. The dog wanted to go play outside (she got her way via the dog park) and the cat wanted to be petted while the dog was outside. I finally broke down and went to the CVS Minute Clinic for a diagnosis and some relief. The verdict? Sinusitis which turned into Bronchitis. Lovely.
All of this illness has reminded me that I take my health for granted and made me think of what it takes to be healthy. So this week I thought it might be a good idea to spend more time delving into that topic. When we are experiencing dis-ease in one of our dimensions of wellness, what are the things that we seek out to ease our discomfort?
Finding a cure for what ails us Physically may sometimes be one of the easiest for us to tackle. When I was little and skinned my knee or cut myself, a band-aid and a "kiss to make it all better" would often do the trick. If I woke up in the middle of the night with a stomach ache or a need to (ahem) evacuate my stomach contents (to put it delicately), my mom would always hold my hair back and laying on the cool bathroom floor always helped. As I grew older, I had my fair share of headaches. I learned that "toughing it out" was so not necessary when I could simply go to the medicine cabinet for a few tablets of instant relief.
Day #50 - Physical
According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The physical dimension of wellness encourages cardiovascular flexibility and strength and also encourages regular, physical activity. Physical development encourages knowledge about food and nutrition and discourages the use of tobacco, drugs and excessive alcohol consumption. Physical Wellness encourages consumption and activities which contribute to high level wellness, including medical self-care and appropriate use of the medical system.
{sigh}
Alas, the 2010 Winter Olympics are over and I have spent the last 7 days sick. I was so sick that I didn't even go to work 2 out of the 5 days last week. I spent this weekend sitting on my couch, napping under a blanket and watching too much programming on The History Channel. This was all while my dog and one of my cats vied for my attention. The dog wanted to go play outside (she got her way via the dog park) and the cat wanted to be petted while the dog was outside. I finally broke down and went to the CVS Minute Clinic for a diagnosis and some relief. The verdict? Sinusitis which turned into Bronchitis. Lovely.
All of this illness has reminded me that I take my health for granted and made me think of what it takes to be healthy. So this week I thought it might be a good idea to spend more time delving into that topic. When we are experiencing dis-ease in one of our dimensions of wellness, what are the things that we seek out to ease our discomfort?
Finding a cure for what ails us Physically may sometimes be one of the easiest for us to tackle. When I was little and skinned my knee or cut myself, a band-aid and a "kiss to make it all better" would often do the trick. If I woke up in the middle of the night with a stomach ache or a need to (ahem) evacuate my stomach contents (to put it delicately), my mom would always hold my hair back and laying on the cool bathroom floor always helped. As I grew older, I had my fair share of headaches. I learned that "toughing it out" was so not necessary when I could simply go to the medicine cabinet for a few tablets of instant relief.
This week as I hacked and coughed my way through each day, it was the simple things that I yearned for: my fuzzy pajama pants (sexy, no. comfy, yes!), a fluffy pillow under my head and a blanket covering me as I lay on the couch with the TV remote control in hand, a cup of soup, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and hours stretching out in front of me with nowhere to go and nothing to do but nap whenever the desire hit me.
I think I hear the couch calling my name now.
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