don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

Would a few wellness initiatives make you happier? Absolutely.

Thomas Jefferson is credited with being a man of many talents, but he has not been credited, till now, as a wellness pioneer. Yet, when he wrote that immortal preamble to the Declaration of Independence, he led the way for future Americans to be responsible, to take control of their lives and to focus on a quality existence -- and if that's not wellness, what could quality as such?

Take a deep breath, smile and ponder these glorious words: "We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed...with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Now consider: how goes the pursuit? Are you happy, much or some of the time? Here are ten brief tips to help you enjoy more such feelings in positive and constructive ways, as part of a wellness lifestyle.

1. Take the stairs, walk briskly or jog in place naked! Any one or a variation of these activities for a total of 30 minutes daily will make you happier -- especially when you finish!
2. Set a goal of trying to find a way to get paid for doing whatever it is you enjoy. Take your time about this -- the pursuit of avocations on a part-time basis may be necessary for decades before you reach this marvelous objective and, when you do, you'll never have to work another day in your life. If you love what you do, it isn't work.
3. Develop a perspective that embraces responsibility for whatever goes well or poorly in your day. This will help you make the best of what happens, rather than trying to blame, excuse, whine, whimper or shift accountability to someone or something else. Do not rely on the health care system for YOUR health. This so-called system is not about health -- it's a huge disease and illness-based business irrelevant to excellent health and a disciplined wellness lifestyle. No matter how wondrous doctors, drugs and the medical system can be when used appropriately, what you do or do not do (in concert with human biology/culture/and your environment) will be the critical variable in affecting your happiness, as well as your overall health.
4. Exploit the wonders of the information age to become an expert in health and happiness. Among the richest resources are e-mail, the worldwide web and state-of-the-art software programs on computer disks.
5. Resolve to go out of your way daily to experience humor, lightness, fun, joy -- good times by whatever name you prefer. Laughter and assorted pleasures strengthen your immune system, metabolize bad vibes and act in 1001 ways to make your everyday life richer and fuller. Unlike frustrations, setbacks, tragedy and disaster, however, initiatives are needed to bring these sensations to a level above minimums.
6. Develop a deep and abiding sense of tolerance for diversity of all kinds. This is especially crucial for differences in styles, appearances, religions, politics, values and opinions at variance with your own. This is one of the most effective ways to eliminate negative stressors that come from unnecessary and futile judgments as well as temptations to try to change people to think or be more like you. They're not interested and you'll never be effective enough at it to make it worth the grief. Even if they were interested and you were magically effective, they might end up worse off than they were before you changed them. Live your own life and wish others well in trying to do the same.
7. Embark on a life-long quest to gather insights on varied meanings of life, and make this decision primarily in accordance with the rich database of your own life experiences, observations and reflections. Stay open to readjustments to ideas about your life purposes and ways of finding meaning as new possibilities suggest themselves over time.
8. Be of service to others, for YOUR sake. In your own fashion, reach out and make a difference in someone else's life by supporting a cause, helping the needy, working with a kid -- anything. Just don't get sanctimonious about it and realize that the greatest beneficiary will be you -- it will add to your sense of worth, purpose and the like. Frankl, Maslow, Yalom and dozens of other psychiatrists, existentialists and assorted scholars have urged engagement for mental health. Don't look for or even accept any awards for this, since it makes you feel good to do it; conversely, don't be too overwhelmed by the good deeds of others. I can't see why people made such a fuss about Mother Theresa! She did what made her feel good! Mother Theresa was into self-indulgence! Fine. Who would complain? Nobody. Who should be impressed? Nobody.
9. Find lots of heroes to emulate, in some ways. It's not a good idea to adopt a single hero, for everyone has strengths and weaknesses and only the former are worth copying. Think of traits you admire and the people who manage those qualities with dignity, panache and flair -- or whatever appeals to you. When you want to function at what you consider your best in these areas, think of your hero for that aspect of living. How would he/she deal with this? Then do your version, with the role model (hero) in mind.
10. Seek inspiration in the familiar. Don't overlook the scenery, sounds, aromas, and multiple blessings you already enjoy. Recall Gilda Radnor's needlepoint message revealed in Gene Wilder's book Funny About Love: "Contentment is not the achieving of what you want but the realization of what you already have."

By the way, my hero is Calvin of "Calvin and Hobbes" fame. I just ask myself, "What position would Calvin take on this aspect of living a wellness lifestyle?" For those not familiar with Bill Watterson's cartoon strip and Calvin's style, well, consider this: In vouching for his character in a recent letter to Santa Claus, Hobbes wrote, "...the kid tries to be sort of good if he's not tempted otherwise.")

These are my ten quick and easy tips to boost your happiness. I believe you will find that happiness follows good works appreciated by yourself; it does not ensue (for long) from attempts to secure it directly. Do these things in your own fashion and I think you will be transfixed, involved, committed and otherwise bound to a life wellness quest -- and your happiness will be secured. Thomas Jefferson would be proud of you.

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives in the MENTAL DOMAIN under the skill area of mental health. Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

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