HEALTHY IS WELLNESS

WELLNESS

Forever Young

Bob Dylan wrote Forever Young as a love song to his son. In each line you can feel the love he is experiencing and is able to translate

Sarah Hoffman magically into Health Is Wellness and lyrics that have

Inner Road Work changed many people’s lives, including mine. His lines can easily be related to our health. Of the many ways Bob Dylan imagined this song working its way in the world, he might be surprised by this one, but then again maybe not. It is a perfect guide on how to live a healthy, fulfilling & joyful life. Which is what he wished for his son.

May your hands always be busy:

Keeping your hands busy keeps your brain healthy. Neuroscience shows that active hands stimulate your brain to produce chemicals that balance emotions and lower anxiety. We are at our best when we enjoy a healthy dose of activity. My Dad feels his best in the garage working on a project. One of those projects is his 1939 Packard which he has restored to almost perfection. What project are you willing to start or finish today?

May your feet always be swift: Much of staying healthy and feeling young is achieved by moving your body. It is recommended to get up and move every hour. Dancing is a great option. (That is unless you add alcohol, a lamp shade for a hat and a table top!!) It can boost your cardiovascular health, build core strength and can help prevent memory loss to name a few. Dancing lessons can be a great option.

If being in public or a crowd is not your thing, you can dance alone!

May you have a strong

foundation: Here are four strong foundations for health.

1. Prioritize Sleep: Sleep

improves your brain performance, mood and overall health. 2. Eat well: Enjoy more whole foods and less processed foods. 3.Stay calm: Remaining calm improves heart health, blood pressure and quality of life. Practicing meditation is one method. 4. Find your Rhythm: Look for routines that work for your body to promote healing and regeneration.

When the winds of changes shift: Having friends and family you can lean on in times of tough change is important. Having people to celebrate good changes with is important as well! Having support increases our sense of belonging, improves our self-esteem and emotional wellbeing.

May your heart always be joyful: This line is my favorite. There are many things that make my heart feel joyful. Star gazing, wading in an ice-cold river or lake, making snow angels, being with my dogs, Sharing a good meal with friends and family. Doing yoga (especially with my grandsons. Amazing but rare). What makes your heart sing? Do more of that!

May your song always be sung: Unlike Bob Dylan, most of us do not have a recording contract or people lining up to sing the songs we’ve written. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t sing!! Put on your favorite song and sing along. Research shows that music can boost memory, lighten your mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and lessen fatigue & pain. It also has the power to connect us.

And… May You Stay Forever Young: You can feel young, no matter what your actual age. Being youthful is not just for the young. It’s for everyone! On the days you feel like a million bucks (or at least $100,000) what did you do? What actions can you take to feel your best?

Be willing to stay forever young!

Thankfully, we chose Billings Clinic.

“My mom, Mary, is my biggest supporter and my biggest fan. The morning of her stroke, something felt di erent. God was telling me something was wrong. I checked on my mom and that’s when she told me she couldn’t move her legs. I rushed over and took her to the Emergency Room at Billings Clinic. When we arrived, the team told me that my mom was having a stroke. They immediately got her in for a thrombectomy to remove the clot. A nurse came out and called my name, and it was one of the scariest and best parts of my life. I immediately asked, ‘Is my mom okay?’ And she said ‘yes’ with a big smile. My mom always taught us to give thanks in all things. Now I appreciate how much of a miracle she is and how grateful we are for Billings Clinic.” - Megan, Mary’s daughter