How to Practice Theraputic Lifestyles at Your House
By Sandy Schroeder
When I was a young mom just starting out, a dear friend used to say, “Kids are different every morning. Just keep smiling and do your best. You will be fine.”
I believed her. She was a veteran parent with two bright kids headed off to college. Whenever you question your decisions, listen to the veterans and keep looking for more advice along the way.
You will know when everything is working. Your kids are giggling and you might find yourself chuckling, too. Nothing is broken, boiling over or flooding! Life is good!
Hanging on to that magic takes work. Sometimes you get lucky. Recently I found some helpful thoughts about TLC: Theraputic Lifestyle Changes, from Dr. Roger Walsh, University of California Irvine professor of psychiatry and human behavior, philosophy and anthropology.
His hands-on thoughts on exercise, diet and outdoor time, as agents of therapeutic change, are all natural, inexpensive, and easy to try. See what you think.
- Spending time in nature can promote cognitive function and overall well-being.
- Recreation and fun can lessen defensiveness and foster social skills.
- Good relationships can reduce health risks.
- Contribution and service, or altruism, can foster joy and generosity, and benefit both physical and mental health.
- Exercise doesn’t just boost people’s sense of well-being. It can help children do better in school.
- Diets with plenty of fruits, vegetables and fish may enhance kids’ school performance.
- Religious or spiritual involvement that focuses on love and forgiveness can promote well-being and reduce anxiety, depression and substance abuse.
Walsh wraps up these thoughts with the observation that they all require effort. Sometimes it is tempting to just take a pill, or let someone else tell you what to do. Right behind that comes an inviting flood of alcohol, fast food and cigarettes or drugs.
In Walsh’s words, “You can never get enough of what you don’t really need, but you can certainly ruin your life and health trying.” Boy, isn't that the truth?
At the end of the day, we all have to make our own decisions about our lives and the patterns we create for ourselves and families. Just the fact that you are reading this says a lot about how much you care about yours. Keep trying and savor every minute.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Morrisville, N.C.