Happy & Healthy
photo by D Sharon Pruitt
Well, I’m back. Apparently my skull-splitting headache wasn’t fatal and I will live to see another headache-free day. Phew. That was a close call seeing as last night I was convinced I’d never be rid of the slicing pain. And if you missed my post yesterday about 10 ways to fight headaches, check it out. There are some really good tips in the comments. (I love my readers.)
So, go figure, it’s Wednesday. Normally I’d say that with a deep sigh but today I’m all peppy (couldn’t you tell that through the Internet? Nope? Hm.) because I only have one more day of work till I head to Buffalo for my friend’s wedding. I’m still at that stage where going to friends’ weddings are fun and not a chore. Gimme a few more years and several more weddings, and I might be saying this with a sigh.
The reason I really love going to friends’ weddings (aside from, you know, the wedded bliss the married couple will know from now until eternity; and if you’re married you know I say this sarcastically) is that I get to catch up with my college buddies. These are the girls I traveled throughout New Zealand with. In case you don’t know what it’s like to live in New Zealand for six months with a great group of friends, it goes something like this*:
Jump over a waterfall (canyoning)…
photo by martin & julia
Roll down a hill in a giant hampster ball (Zorbing)…
photo by misterbisson
Climb a glacier (Franz Josef in the South Island)…
photo by lam snott
Jump off a bridge…
photo by syymza
When you do those kinds of things together, you’re bound to be friends forever.
I think sometimes when we think about health, we forget the whole happiness part. We overlook the fact that getting together with some friends—even if it includes digging into a massive pile of gooey nachos—can be healthy. There I said it (in a roundabout way): Nachos are healthy. If there’s nothing else you take away from this today, it should be that. Kidding.
You might lambaste me for not being a good health blogger but hear me out. Sometimes by putting too much focus on eating virtuously all the time or exercising every day we can lose sight of why we do it: To be in the best shape for enjoying life. If all of that sucks the fun out of life, what’s the point?
I’ve been thinking about this because I read a profile of Dr. Oz in the New York Times. The writer, Frank Bruni, describes Dr. Oz’s meticulous eating habits and then says, “It was the most efficient, joyless eating I have ever seen.” I’d love to be as healthy as Dr. Oz (I’d also like his salary, in case you’re curious), but I never want someone to look at my eating or exercising habits as joyless. That, to me, is sad.
Anyhow, before I become even more philosophical, I’ll end with this: My life is whole not because of what I eat or how often I work out. It’s whole because of those people I eat with, the stories we share, and the physical abilities my workouts give me. I don’t sweat at the gym to be a fitness robot, I do it so my knees can feel good enough to walk around and enjoy life. Because if not that, then what’s the point?
*These aren’t my photos. I went to New Zealand back in the old days, when we used film. And I just couldn’t break apart my scrapbook to scan them in. Maybe someday.
What are your thoughts on how happiness connects to health?
15 comments
I think happiness depends on what someone’s definition of health is and how far they take it…
I read the article you linked to about Dr. Oz. He’s quite the machine!
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My first question would be to ask if Dr. Oz took no enjoyment from his own meal. Who cares what (the paid to be judgemental) Frank Bruni thinks if Dr. Oz is digging his plain Melba toast? That said, I do think your point is a really good. Life is for living, not calorie counting:) I’ve found a way to make exercise really fun for myself. Now, if I could just find a way to enjoy my food the same way!
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Wow. That is definitely something to think about.
I feel very “un-whole”…in fact I am downright sad, mad and ashamed of myself. I dont’ want to be what I have physically become (for over a year, just a walker) and accepting it is one of the hardest things ever. I do need to realize that there is more to look for in life. Its hard though.
But your thoughts are interesting on this one for sure.
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What a great post ( as usual!) I totally agree that sometimes the joy you find in life is found in doing the things you want to do not the things you feel like you have to do!
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tracey Neithercott and Tracey Neithercott, Jenelle Rittenhouse. Jenelle Rittenhouse said: RT @CharlotteGFE Is eating work or play to you? Loving @NotSuperhuman today http://digs.by/cWu9Y6 [...]
Wow, you did all that stuff!? That sounds incredible. And I agree, life nor eating should ever be one big chore. I think the key to happiness is health, but you have to be happy to be healthy as well so it works both ways. Indulgences are definitely needed!
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Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by CharlotteGFE: Is eating work or play to you? Anyone else not surprised Frank Bruni doesn’t dig Dr. Oz? Loving @NotSuperhuman today http://digs.by/cWu9Y6…
How sad that Dr. Oz’s diet was described as joyless…I think one can eat healthy without having to sacrifice taste so I wonder what he eats?
I think it is awesome you went to New Zealand with your friends and did so many cool things. I wish I’d done something like that when I was younger!
I absolutely think that friends and family play a huge part in one’s health. If you have support around you it is 100% easier to be happpy and healthy.
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Aaaaaaaaaaamen. I couldn’t not agree more. When I stop enjoying health is when it’s no longer working properly. It shouldn’t be a chore or a burden if you approach it mindfully and sensibly. Great post! And have fun at that wedding…it sounds like a blast!
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What an amazing time you had in New Zealand! Yes, joy should be had by eating healthy and working out.
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i love weddings too for college reunions – sadly everyone i know is now married!!!
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When I was on the Dr. Oz show one of the producers told me that he is super strict with his diet and never eats anything white. No cake, no sugar, no white flour, zilch!
I don’t think I could do that.
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Your posts always speak to me. I am a big believer that mental health is just as important as physical health and that the two actually go together and influence/effect each other. So even if you are eating meticulously “healthy”, if you are miserable on the inside or not having fun or unhappy with your life, then I don’t think that is truly healthy. When you think of the picture of perfect health its all about the vibrancy and the glow…I think of someone laughing and enjoying food and relaxing. Not someone scowling as they sit in a dark room alone and obsessively count the calories in their oatmeal.
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Tracey Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Lauren–This is exactly what I think of: “When you think of the picture of perfect health its all about the vibrancy and the glow…I think of someone laughing and enjoying food and relaxing.” Thanks for the great comment.
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That giant hamster ball looks scary and cool at the same time. Haha.
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