Each day in May I’m walking at least 9,000 steps, and walking more than four miles a day allows for a lot of thinking.
A recent New York Times article with the headline, “Lean into negative emotions. It’s the healthy thing to do,” has me thinking differently.
It appears when we experience a bad feeling, we don’t have to love the feeling. We just have to try to feel neutral about it.
The study found people who react neutrally were just as psychologically healthy as those who reacted positively. They suggest approaching the feeling with curiosity.
After all, the feeling won’t be around forever.
And it appears well-being increases with age.
As I move toward my sixth decade of life, I’ve turned my focus on my physical well-being.
As a result, I recently put my negative emotions toward the medical community behind me.
I visited a physician for a health check-up after a decade-long hiatus.
“Normal” is what she confirmed as a baseline, just in case my health condition changes for the worse.
The best part of the whole visit was when the nurse asked me to step on the scale — that’s when normal felt really good.
I was no longer considered obese.
When the “Healthy Communities” survey for planning at Southwest Health and Human Services appeared in my mailbox, I was excited to tell someone that I exercise regularly. I’m no longer considered overweight and I pay attention to my diet.
I answered all 64 questions and wondered if only those who work at their wellness respond to surveys?
Do people lie?
Tell the whole truth?
I’ll admit that prior to starting my wellness journey six months ago, (I suspect this is what most people do) I would have set the survey aside and promptly forgot to answer the questions.
Those answers could bring more wellness benefits to our communities no matter what our physical conditions are.
Now that I am more aware of walking paths throughout the region, I appreciate communities and individuals who make these public amenities possible.
Now we just have to use them because there is nothing better for the mind than a little fresh air as we view the natural environment around us.
I don’t know about you, but this month I am going to experience nature firsthand 9,000 steps at a time.