Working on wellness

Press, 15 September 1988, Page 11

Working on wellness

. Q: It seems as though I ■ get sick more often than i' everyone else, and I al- ‘ ways feel exhausted. Any suggestions that would help make me feel bet- ; ter? I A: In many cases, people who feel as you do find that their lifestyles » are to blame. In order to ‘ stay healthy and feel well, / you must practise what ' has come to be called J, “wellness.” ' It is not the opposite of sickness. Instead, wellness is a whole pattern of good ' living habits that can help * you enjoy a long and happy life. First, scrutinise your eating habits. There’s some old advice that cautions: “Eat to live, don’t live to eat.” Being even a few pounds overweight can seriously tax your vital functions and rob you of vitality. But wellness involves more than just regulating food quantities; it requires wise choices. Make a diligent effort to cut down on salt, sugars, and fats, concen-

trating instead on lean meats, fish and poultry, fresh fruits and vegetables, and high fibre foods. Besides increasing your energy and controlling your weight, such choices will reduce your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Smoking and the abuse of alcohol and drugs have a strong negative effect on our feelings of wellness. Misuse of drugs and alcohol can have serious, long-term effects on your health by interfering with the normal functions of your body. Beware, too, of drinking too much caffeine; it can make you feel jumpy and irritable, and can interfere with your ability to get a good night’s sleep. One of the most difficult stumbling blocks in the path toward wellness is stress. In limited and controlled amounts, stress can actually be constructive, helping you to focus your attention and energieson the task at hand.

Too much stress can sap your energy and create feelings of helplessness and an inability to cope. Those feelings, in turn, build more stress, which can cause such severe physical problems as ulcers and high blood pressure. Try working on systems that will help reduce the level of stress in your life. Regular vigorous exercise is an almost sure-fire way to help you relax. Just a simple, quick-paced 30-minute walk every day can help you work off those frustrations, ease muscle tension, increase your energy level, help keep your weight down, and help you feel better about yourself. Wellness is not going to happen to you overnight. It takes effort, dedication and patience. But if you start today to gradually improve your daily living habits, you will , have taken the first step toward achieving a lifetime of wellness. —Copyright Jazzercise