Where in Erie is Creating Wellness? Week 3

What a week it has been since I last wrote! It seems like winter flexed its muscles this week. The coldest I saw was minus 4 degrees. That's not including windchil, either! I lost track of how much snow fell, but I think the Erie region is up to 104.9 inches this year.This leads me to this week's Creating Wellness topic.

Remember, Creating Wellness focuses on all three dimensions of wellness, not just one. When most of us think of wellness, we think of it in the physical realm. "If I'm physically fit or if I eat properly, then I am well" is a common mistake we all make.

This week, Creating Wellness is located in: conscious awareness.

This concept might be a bit foreign at first, but if you truly begin to be consciously aware of your thoughts and emotions as well as the meanings behind them you'll begin to live well. How many of us reacted to the cold temps and snowfall with a feeling of discontent, irritation, or depression? How many of us actually thought about WHY we were upset with the weather? Was our response instant? Rationalized? Justified? This is an example of not being consciously aware. It is okay to not like the snow and cold weather. Snow is neither good or bad. Warm, sunny summer days is neither good or bad. The two are seemingly the same when it comes down to it. The problem arises when we let something, such as the weather, completely ruin our attitudes, thoughts, and ultimately our actions. Nothing in this world has any meaning only the meaning we apply to it. Attitude influences thoughts and it is our thoughts that influence our actions. Think back to this past week.

Think of one of the days when it was completely snowy and cold. What was your attitude toward the weather on that day? What kind of thoughts developed as a result of your attitude towards the weather? Lastly, think about how you acted those days. Were you short with a loved one? How was your interactions with co-workers? How was your energy levels those days? If you had a negative attitude towards the weather, it is likely you didn't have a great week last week. Were you a victim of circumstance or did you have a role in how the week was perceived? If you had a positive attitude towards the weather, then it is likely you had a pretty good week.

Weather is just one example. An upcoming deadline at work, heavy traffic, sick child at home, or a sagging economy are things or events that have zero meaning. In and of themselves they do not have meaning. You will apply a different meaning than your spouse, co-worker, or neighbor. The great thing is that you CAN CHOOSE your attitude by first being aware of it. If you aren't aware of it, you can't choose. Being consciously aware takes time, takes effort, but ultimately leads to a happier, healthier life.

Start today by being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions to every situation throughout your day. You may not be able to control unexpected events or accidents, but you can control how you react or perceive them. Your life is what you make it. Make it a good one.Erie, we need wellness now more than ever. We need to be physically and mentally well if we are going to be able to withstand the turbulent times ahead. Are you with me in this wellness revolution? The world is counting on you and me.

Until next week,

BE FIT. EAT RIGHT. THINK WELL.

Reclaiming lives,

Dr. Steve