Where in Erie is Creating Wellness? Week 6

Greetings and salutations, Creating Wellness Warriors!

What a wonderful weekend we had! Temperatures into the 50's was a welcomed respite from this winter. I hope you were able to get outside and breathe in some fresh air. A little sunshine, warm temps, and fresh air does a mind and body wonders!

Where in Erie is Creating Wellness this week? This week I find tremendous amounts of wellness in "perserverance."

The topic of the economy, employment, retirement funds, etc cannot be avoided. It is everywhere we turn. National and local headlines are rich with this type of news. It is difficult to find any positive news out there.

There is no doubt we are currently in and are heading towards troubling and challenging times. Rumors are swirling about large layoffs in our local workforce. When the big companies slow down and layoff employees, the trickle down effect is felt everywhere. Small businesses will feel the effects of the economic downturn even more.

If you have been recently laid off, face foreclosure on your home, or face other economic uncertainties, these times are very troubling indeed.

Many of us have enjoyed the fruits of a recent healthy and prosperous economy. Unfortunately, some of us enjoyed those fruits excessively and in an unsustainable manner. Now we are faced with uncertainty and challenges.

As King Solomon has said, "This too shall pass." We can and will survive these times. No, it won't necessarily be easy, nor will it be fun. We, as a culture, must return to a simpler time. No one is immune to these changes. Reducing the clutter in our lives will have tremendous benefits in our abilities to perservere and come out on top. Some examples of how to simplify our lives:
1. Buy only what is necessary
2. Entertain yourself/family with low cost/no cost activities
3. Recycle/Reuse
4. Consolidate where reasonable (i.e. 2 cars vs. 1 car)
5. Self Sacrifice (i.e. ride a bike to work instead of drive)
6. Eliminate habits that destroy health (i.e. smoking, excessive drinking, over eating, etc)

Cars, homes, iPods, etc come and go. During these tough times, we need our health more than anything. Creating Wellness in your life doesn't have to cost a lot of money. Creating Wellness in your life does require time, effort, and energy. To be truly well, remember, we must focus on the physical (how we use our bodies), biochemical (things we put into our body), and psychological (mind-body) dimensions at the same time. Focusing on wellness during difficult times may be the last thing on your mind. Being aware of your mental state and consciously creating a new awareness can help you perservere in the face of any adversity.

Creating Wellness in your life is no longer a choice. It is slowly becoming a necessity. Not to be too cliche, but only the strong will survive these times. Being strong physically (through adequate exercise and balanced nutrition) and strong mentally (through conscious awareness) will enable people to cope with the challenges ahead. A strong mind and body that is without interference to the nervous system can withstand many forms of stress.

Erie, now is not the time to retreat. Now is the time to buckle up, hold on tight and reclaim your life. Reclaim your life from inactivity! Reclaim your life from over-consumption! Reclaim your life from the status quo! We can and will perservere during these times.

Will you join me?

Until next week, Be Fit. Eat Right. Think Well.

-Dr. Steve