National Wellness Month
Each August, National Wellness Month celebrates healthy living in the world. Everyone is encouraged to make themselves a priority- focusing on self-care, managing stress, and promoting healthy routines. As WELLNESS MONTH website explains, “We believe wellness is a highly personal practice that leads us to be the best version of ourselves and in turn gives us confidence, courage, and more love to give to others – ultimately impacting the world around us for the better.”
Clearly WELLNESS MONTH aligns with the GFWC-NC President’s Special Project: HEALTHY WOMEN – Taking Care of Ourselves … So We Can Take Care of Others!
As we continue to make wellness a personal priority, let’s all focus on projects and activities that further our goals:
- Keep fit by walking (2.5 – 5 miles a day)
- Schedule recommended check-ups, preventative screenings and immunizations
- Eat healthy: “Eat a rainbow” of colorful fruits and vegetables daily and drink plenty of water.
WELLNESS MONTH is a good time to reflect on our personal “wellness journey”. What healthy living habits are You practicing and what aspects of healthy living do we need to focus on?
Resources:
- National Day Calendar – Wellness Month: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-wellness-month-august/
- GFWC-NC President’s Special Project: HEALTHY WOMEN: http://gfwcnc.org/community-service-and-volunteering-opportunities-gfwc-nc/special-projects/presidents-special-project/
- Women’s Health & Wellness – Healthy Living By Age: www.womenshealth.gov/healthy-living-age
Managing Stress
A new Drexel University study found that creating Art can significantly reduce stress-related hormones. The study found that everyone seems to benefit equally. Experience does not matter!
Cortisol was one of the hormones measured in the study, which included 39 adults, ranging from 18 to 59 years old. They were invited to participate in 45 minutes of making art. Cortisol levels were taken before and after the art-making period.
Materials provided: markers, paper, modeling clay, and collage materials. No directions were given. An art therapist was present.
Researchers found that 75 percent of the participants’ cortisol levels lowered during the 45-minute period. Written testimonies revealed that the participants felt relaxed, less anxious, and less obsessive about things they needed to get done. So, the next time you are feeling stressed, make some Art!
https://www.psypost.org/2016/06/skill-level-making-art-reduces-stress-hormone-cortisol-43362
The greatest wealth is health. -Virgil