The Oldest College Newspaper in Southern California | Est. 1889

Got Wellness?

February 2, 2007

L&S Associate

Erin Shea, Wellness-aholic

Hi, my name’s Erin and I’m a wellness-aholic. That’s right, I’m not afraid to stand up and say it. I blame my Colorado mountain-girl roots and my health-nut hippie mom. Yes, I’m that crazy granola-loving tree-hugger who would much rather drink an Odwalla Green Machine than an In-n-Out milkshake. But you have to trust me on this one, I wasn’t always this way . . . no, it took years for me to realize I actually like being healthy and that I’m willing to do what it takes to achieve wellness.

Growing up, I was mortified (yes, mortified) at every school lunch. I was humiliated by the food my mom packed: all-natural organic peanut butter mushed* on whole wheat bread (*um, yeah, natural PB doesn’t exactly spread, per se). My classmates had their fluffy white bread with velvety smooth (and spreadable) Skippy or Jiff. And Gushers. And Oreos. I had ants on a log. Or a carrot. I felt like a loner with my weird food and parents who did yoga. Oh, the pain! I just wanted to be a normal American. But now, with the U.S. claiming stake to the worst health and wellness in the world, I sure as hell don’t want to be a normal American. I want to be healthy. I want wellness.

How about you – got wellness? What is wellness? How do you get it? And why does it even matter?

I love the term wellness – instead of just ‘health’ – because wellness involves balance in all areas of your life – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. Wellness is not just about eating the right food and exercising. Sure, it’s about healthy nutrition and activity. But it’s just as much about getting good amounts of sleep, daily laughter and love and friendship, sunshine and fresh air, challenging and exciting ideas, and peace and joy. Alright! Now that sounds logical!

One of my favorite authors, Ken Wilber, makes a great point: “To understand the whole, it is necessary to understand the parts. To understand the parts, it is necessary to understand the whole.” Yeah, duh. But when you think about this oversimplified nugget of truth in relation to health and wellness, it becomes clear how Americans are going about it all wrong. How can you expect to be healthy and well if the parts of your life (stress levels, relationships, outlook, diet, amount of activity, satisfaction, etc.) are not healthy? Unhealthy components won’t add up to wellness. I know this for a fact. Sure, there’s some wiggle room in wellness (like have ice cream or a steak occasionally, or having extreme stress around finals). Wellness goes down the drain when eating that quarter-pounder with cheese and fries (or brownie fudge sundae, if you’re more like me) is a daily thing, or pulling an all-nighter becomes a routine event, or when you’re so stressed you forget to look at how utterly beautiful the sunset is.

Unfortunately there’s no magic concoction to get wellness for our pill-popping nation. Too bad. What exactly constitutes wellness for each person varies – that’s the beauty of it. So there’s no cure-all. There are many overlaps though. So here’s a few general tips and guidelines for improving your wellness and the way you feel, look, think, and live.

1. If it’s not food, don’t eat it.

In his recent The Omnivores Dilemma (2006), Michael Pollan offers a great rule of thumb: “Don’t eat anything your great-great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.” Pollan warns against evil foodlike items (think PopTarts, American Cheese, PowerBars, Cap’n Crunch, Skippy and Jiff, etc.). Basically, aim to reduce or even better, eliminate, all processed foods from your daily diet. And especially avoid foods/foodlike items that have a) unfamiliar, b) unpronounceable, c) or more than 5 ingredients. This will get you eating healthier, more wholesome foods. Better nutrition is a gigantic part of the whole matter of wellness. Case closed.

2. Laugh!

A team of researcher from the University of Maryland Medical Center found that laughter and positive emotions are strongly linked to a decreased production of the stress hormone cortisol, and also to improved immune function, and reduced disease risk. Additionally, laughter can help boost your immune system, relieve pain, lower stress and even reduce the risk of heart disease. This one seems easy enough – just hang out with your funny friends more, or log onto the network and watch some ‘Arrested Development’ episodes or ‘The Big Lebowski.’

3. Confide in a friend.

Harvard-trained Dr. Andrew Weil (one of my favorites) highly recommends confiding in a friend, mate, or relative to feel more connected and more fulfilled. As us college kids are especially susceptible to depression, nipping emotional issues in the bud before they lead to serious depression is key. Talking to a friend about your day, or anything you’ve been struggling with can help you feel more supported and not so alone.

4. Go outside. I like to spend as much time as I can outside. I know it’s incredibly difficult with the terribly cold weather we’ve had to endure lately and all. (I’m being sarcastic. Claremont is amazing. I spent the winter break literally freezing to death in Denver – 10 degrees was the high one week. Do you even know how cold that is?) Take advantage of the fact we can eat lunch in our bathing suits in February if we want – I do. And yes, I’m wearing sunscreen. Go outside, play Frisbee, go for a jog or a bike ride, take a walk. Do something! This is one of those things I know to be true in my gut – even if it’s just for 5 minutes, you’ll feel more relaxed, happier, and healthier.