The art and science of well-being
What is it about this topic that has people scratching their heads and then reflecting deeply?
Is it the immensity of the subject, given even a simple Google search provides literally millions of sources of information, or is it that everyone you speak to has an opinion? Some are bigger and broader than others!
One of the most used terms when you consider health is the word ‘well-being’, and the focus on this has many of us strategising how we can live and lead healthier lives. At a personal level, I enjoy learning about how to maximise aspects of my physical and emotional health, and recently, like many others, I’ve dived headfirst into some newly acquired literature on the subject.
Firstly, a book titled Slow: Live Life Simply by Brooke McAlary. This beautiful book recounts the writer’s story of slowly and deliberately reclaiming her life and her health, both emotionally and psychologically, after years of striving to achieve what she thought mattered. In doing this, it encourages the reader to travel a similar path, shedding what they don’t need and simplifying that which they have – all in the pursuit of well-being.
Given emotional health is the cornerstone of vitality and happiness, the ideas of letting go of perfection (I’m all for that), decluttering, practising gratitude, and mindfulness were also mentioned as major contributors to a healthy life.
Also making the list for the weekend’s research was a significant and lengthy podcast from Peter Attia, a Canadian physician. Peter is known for his research on life extension and overall health. He has written a book titled Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity, but for me, his most significant contribution, and I’m hoping I’m accurate in this, is his terminology. Rather than talking about lifespan, he discusses ‘health span’, favouring nutritional interventions, exercise, physiology, sleep, and emotional and mental health care to delay chronic disease processes and improve quality of life.
It’s a big realm, and, as I mentioned, everyone has an opinion. So, what I’ve decided to do (and I do these things every day, endeavouring to live a more balanced life) is the following:
Limit alcohol, exercise daily (and for me, that’s walking and resistance training), get to bed early, eat mostly vegetables (I’ve become a pescatarian), try – and this is the biggest ‘try’ – to limit stress, and spend time with beloved family and friends.
I’m sure an expert could add more, but these things are ways in which I can look to improve my own well-being. And I’m wishing that whatever you’re doing, it’s working too.
Happy September!