May is Family Wellness Month

Ever notice that each month the government with the help of the media promotes a cause?  May has been deemed “Family Wellness Month”.   Sadly we are well aware of many of these causes such as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But what exactly is Family Wellness?

By definition, Wellness is the state of and the active goal of good health.  Health, in turn, is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. 

One point that I have to share is that in order to even consider making physical changes to our health and wellness we all must first SLOW DOWN.  The refrain of “you can have it all” is a fallacy that is so ingrained in our culture that we spend considerable time and effort consuming with little time to enjoy the two biggest gifts we have; personal time and relationships.   

So how can we promote family wellness? Off the top of my head I have come up with a few.  Feel free to let me know of any you can come up with.

Get Physical Together

• ·         Go on a family hike in any of the great park trails here in Hamilton County or East Fork State Park. 
• ·         Work on the yard and gardens together
• ·         Dust off the bikes and hit the Anderson Trail.
• ·         Go to the gym as a family and workout together

Change That Diet

• ·         For the month of May cut your weekly purchase of Sugary drinks (soda, juice, sports and energy drinks) and when they run out switch to water (non- bottled preferably)
• ·         Shop a farmer’s market together
• ·         Cook a healthy meal as a family

Socialize as a Family

• ·         Arrange a game night with your children
• ·         Take in a movie or play that piques everyone interest and discuss it afterwards over coffee or ice-cream
• ·         Try a media free night; okay how about a media free hour?  Of course everyone has to be in the same room.

Humans “ape” each other.  How else could you account for the similarities in speech, mannerisms and diets that family members share?  Family Wellness encourages us to make healthy choices not only for our sake but also for the ones we love.   

Work Smarter; Not Harder!

Dr David Marcon

Marcon Chiropractic & Wellness Center

www.marconchiropractic.com