Surprising things that are good for you

and cost absolutely nothing

even in February, the great outdoors is a balm for the soul

Recently I was invited to my son’s new apartment for dinner – okay, full disclosure, I invited myself for dinner.

He and his friends had just come in from playing outdoor pickup hockey. They were sweaty and joyous amidst the piles of snow and arctic temps. He and his girlfriend cooked a delicious meal of ratatouille (yes, ratatouille). Then we proceeded to play a super fun board game in which we had to ‘name that song’. According to Henry, “Tuesday is always game night, Mum”.

Next, I learned that Monday is padel and cribbage night. Wednesday? Oh yes, Wednesdays are for getting together with friends for a relaxed potluck. While the adults can’t stop bemoaning the state of the world, and are frankly obsessed with it, the kids are apparently doing all right. Mostly, by ignoring it all and kicking it old school.

When was the last time you had a wakeup call from a 24-year-old? Lesson noted.

I’m a firm believer that living well, and by extension, wellness, is much, much simpler than it’s made out to be. It’s about friends, and fun, downtime, a sense of purpose, activities that bring you joy, getting enough rest, having a good belly laugh, and hugging your dog. It’s about cooking a meal for loved ones. About taking a walk in nature. And sometimes, it’s about a mean round of ‘name that song’.

I know this, it’s my job to research it, I write about it non-stop, and yet – I simply forgot to put it into action. It’s been heavy lifting in the adult world lately.

Let’s put the news aside for a moment and get back to basics.

March is on our doorstep. The light is changing, the snow is melting, and just when you least expect it, a whiff of spring is in the air.

It seems an apropos moment for a little lighthearted news, along with a March Break soundtrack to get things, ahem, back on track.

I hope you enjoy.

Surprising things that are good for you

….. and cost absolutely nothing

Photo by Victrola Record Players on Unsplash

Listening to Music.

Music has been shown to improve mood, memory, and overall brain health. Music is as old as humanity, it’s intrinsic to who we are, and it’s a boon for mental health.

Oh, and did I mention it’s joyful, poetic, life-affirming, soulful, and just plain fun?That too.

Swearing.

Surprising? You bet. It turns out that swearing is a great way for the nervous system to decompress. Just don’t tell your kids!

“People often swear when they are stressed, faced with a challenge, or are otherwise experiencing an increase in the activation of their sympathetic nervous system. When people swear, they experience a release in physiological and psychological stress, prompting the parasympathetic nervous system to kick in”.

Dr. Kyle Zrenchik, PhD

Laughing.

Laughing is quite literally the best medicine, swapping out the cortisol (stress hormone) in our bloodstream for the feel-good (and good-for-you) chemicals dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins. Plus, it’s obviously a barrel of laughs!

Dancing.

Beyond the fact that you’re shaking your booty, dancing is good for you on an innate level that requires no explanation. Like a fingerprint, every human being on the planet has their own unique moves. Even babies do it.

Whether you dance at home or dance in a crowd, go ahead and get jiggy with it (cue the playlist below, which was planned to give you a spring in your step).

The Great Outdoors.

Forest bathing, feet in the sand, floating in the sea, romping in the snow, walking in the wilderness. Any way you cut it, being outside in a natural setting is the original unplug.

Yes, there are plenty of healthy hormones coursing through your bloodstream, and yes, you’re moving your body. I would argue it’s deeper than this. There is no substitute for a walk in the woods - or any natural setting, without headphones - for feeling grounded and renewed.

Community.

In all my years of wellness research, this is THE thread that pulls it all together. Let’s be honest, our peeps are what makes life worthwhile. Community can consist of good friends and family - or equally it can mean neighbours, casual acquaintances, and even saying hello to strangers.

Finding your people is, quite simply, the source of mental, physical, and spiritual health.

We are social animals and we work best by lifting each other up, one dance, laugh, and walk at a time. For more on the fascinating research behind community and wellness, check out my book ‘The Wheel of Wellness: Seven Habits of Healthy, Happy People’.

Guess what the centre of the wheel is!

Speaking of which, I’m beyond grateful for our community of Tumbleweeds. I love your feedback, and welcome the many great ideas you’ve shared along the way. If you know of a surprising wellness phenomenon, please post it in the comments!

Happy Spring :)

I’m Heather.

I’m a licensed naturopath, an unlicensed free spirit, an author, a mother, a yogi, a mystic, a goofball, an average but enthusiastic dancer.

Most of all, I’m curious.

I’m on a mission to bring you on a magical mystery tour of wellness, whimsy, and wanderlust. Thanks for tuning in.