4 minute read
WELLNESS
HEALTHY IS WELLNESS
Healthy is Wellness Health Coach: Becky Ketterling, Certified Personal Trainer
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Celebrate...
LIKE A KID AGAIN!
Kids, even babies, celebrate everything! Not just the big stuff, with balloons and cake, but the small stuff too. Little ones Becky Ketterling Certified Personal Trainer, captivate us with their pure Health Coach joy at the tiniest
Healthy Is Wellness, Inc. pleasures, from a game of tag with a sibling to the tickle of the family dog’s tail. Children have an amazing capacity to be 100% present in what is happening RIGHT NOW and to celebrate their delight with a smile, a giggle or a full-blown belly laugh. Imagine what a gift it would be to see the world through fresh, youthful eyes again! It’s no surprise that celebrating life’s small and silly moments becomes harder as times goes by. Especially over the last year, stress and uncertainty have clouded how we view the world and placed a hold on our celebrations. But finally(!) we seem to be headed toward better days, providing an opportunity to choose our future path with purpose! With a fresh start, we can elect to focus on the good things in our lives and commit to celebrating them, the way a small child might!
Do it for the Health of it!
Moments that cause us to pause and appreciate a feeling of happiness or wellbeing make us better, both physically and emotionally. In fact, when it comes to celebrating, optimism and positivity, there are literally too many health benefits to list! Here’s a few highlights:
• A Healthier Lifestyle – Positive people choose healthier foods and exercise more regularly.
• A Stronger Immune System –
Those with a positive outlook are much less likely to get sick.
• Reduced Stress – Positivity leads to lower levels of stress, helping us to sleep better while also decreasing our risk for weight gain, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
• Lower Levels of Pain – A positive sense of well-being reduces the perception of pain and stiffness associated with many health conditions, such as arthritis.
Setting the Stage for a Great Start
QUIET THE NOISE… How does a child greet the day? Maybe with a hug and a
kiss, an ‘I Love You!’ and an excited “What are we going to do today?” They anticipate little things like playing on a swing-set or having a playdate with a friend – simple pleasures that will make them happy!
As adults, we often start our day much differently. We turn on the tv, power up the computer, or open the newspaper - checking for the latest stories of our world’s problems. Immediately, our sense of control and wellbeing begins to diminish as overly negative messages and ‘noise’ flood our minds. How can we celebrate life if we begin our day in such a sad state? Instead, try a gentler morning routine that starts with something positive or peaceful (stretching, holding a pet, or expressing gratitude) that creates a calmer state, so we can approach the day with a positive outlook.
CLEAR THE CLUTTER… No one can say that kids don’t have clutter! But their clutter usually has meaning to them or are things that they love. (Think teddy bears and Transformers!) This is usually not the case for grown-ups since most of our excess ‘stuff’ doesn’t really matter to us. In reality, it only serves to create more noise in our minds, making us feel tired and stressed.
Getting rid of things we don’t use or need is energizing, which increases our sense of self-control and enables us to take on challenges with optimism. When the lens through which we view the world is less murky, it becomes easier to appreciate the small bits of good that surround us. Starting is simple: commit just 15 minutes a day to reducing your clutter and enjoy the sense of calm it brings.
Start the Celebration!
With a more peaceful environment, or a ‘clean slate’, it becomes easier to rediscover what brings us joy. See if you can commit 30 days to mini-celebrations like these:
• Set aside time to tune in to small pleasures, like a cool breeze, a budding tree, or the feel of a blanket. Be mindful of what makes them special.
• Work to strengthen human connections. Be there for others and let them be there for you.
• Express gratitude for what is right in your life.
Once or twice a day, jot down a few things you’re thankful for.
• When you feel bogged down, look up – literally!
Looking to the sky helps us remember we’re part of something bigger than ourselves.
• And most importantly, have some FUN. Do one thing every day simply because you want to, not because you have to!
Developing rituals that include celebration is a prescription for good health and good relationships, and the benefits are contagious! So help others while helping yourself; take your new-found positivity and spread it around!
