If you think your pant size determines your level of wellbeing, think again. While obesity is a key factor in physical health, it shouldn’t be confused with overall wellbeing. After all, how important is that garment tag if you’re anxious, lonely, and drifting in purposelessness? Perhaps it’s time we stop glamorizing the privileged, crafted version of health and find an equitable way to examine our true state of being.
Read MoreIt’s rare that emotion overwhelms me to the point of tears. I never intended to be so stalwart, but good or bad things happen and I tend to process them without the rawness that crying provides. I’m an expert laugher, which seems to flow naturally for me, but the joy of crying has eluded me for most of my 50+ years.
Read MoreLong before the definition of health began evolving into singularly focused weight loss fanaticism, a more robust concept of wellbeing was developed. It was more of a philosophical construct for many years, rather than a health metric, but it was, and continues to be, an important aspect of a life well lived.
Read MoreNothing says Happy New Year like a day on the water. In a kayak. At least that’s how we’ve rung in January 1 every year since my first kayak appeared under the Christmas tree in the late 90’s.
Read More
If you're too busy to follow all of the health news that's pumped out 24/7, let me spotlight two important pieces that affect your everyday wellbeing:
1) There’s more than one dimension of health. Wellbeing is a large synergistic cluster of health domains.
2) You are the center of the health model. Not a doctor, not an employer, not the soda industry marketing team.
Read MoreHow do we roll physical activity, community service, and social engagement into one fun-filled hour? Leave it to the St. Louis County Library, OASIS, the County Older Resident Program, and a team of volunteers to conduct a Walkability Audit, assessing county streets for pedestrian safety, particularly for older adults. On this day, we met at the Weber Road County library branch, and evaluated a 1 mile stretch of sidewalk,
Read MoreIs physical wellbeing really the foundation for optimizing all other dimensions of health, such as emotional, social, intellectual, financial, and spiritual health? It may be. I mean, if basic physical needs aren’t being met, it’s difficult for us to focus on other aspects of health. Can’t relate? That’s probably a good thing, because it means you’ve never wanted for food or shelter. While we’d like to have our faith and purpose serve as the foundation
Read MoreIt’s not often that I travel alone, but in the past few months, I’ve had several opportunities to do so. Not that I don’t appreciate my family and friend travels, it’s just that I discover changes in my psyche when I go it alone. To some women, it’s uncomfortable, to others, it’s routine, and for a few of us, it’s noteworthy from a life stage perspective. What I mean to say is, while I study social engagement in midlife women, I also get to experience it, which of course, influences my attitude and actions.
Read More
It’s Friday night and a movie sounds great. Then the voices start. "Who should I call? They were all busy last time. I must look so desperate... I can’t go alone. Or could I?” In the time that it takes to look up the theater schedule, you’ve talked yourself into another Netflix night on the couch.
Read More