Health + Wellness | July 15
- Tinessa Johnsrud, HHP, CHNC, CWC
- Jul 14, 2024
- 4 min read
+NOURISH+
Summer means traveling and vacation for some families and households. Even if it’s just a day trip to the river.
Nutrition while traveling means planning ahead. If at all possible try to “mimic your normal nutrition routine and choose familiar foods.” Research what will be available nearby in route and at your travel location. Or if it’s a short enough trip bring your own food in an insulated food container like an ice chest or cooler.
Some packable healthy snacks:
Nuts and nut butters
Whole grain pretzels, crackers and breads
Trail mix
Snack bars
Pickles
String cheese
Cheese and crackers
Dried fruit and veggies
Muffins
Blueberries
Jerky
Cherry tomatoes
Baby carrots
Grapes
Made ahead sandwiches
We always like to pack nut butter, fruit spread and bread. “Peanut butter and jelly” is a great snack or meal for all ages and it is shelf stable. Don’t forget utensils and a plate or surface to prepare a sandwich. Horizon brand makes shelf stable organic milk if you want to make it a more complete meal.
+FOCUS+
Social anxiety
What is it?
Put simply it is “an anxiety disorder in which people feel intensely fearful of participating in social situations.”
I have always felt anxious and nervous with the anticipation of being around people in a social setting. When I was younger it was outwardly misinterpreted as being extroverted. Inside I was a wreck but on the outside I was seen as a “social butterfly.”
Social anxiety is often under-diagnosed and untreated. And in my case as I grew older it prevented me from achieving some of my goals and I chose to miss out on some fun experiences in life.
I found ways to deal with anxiety that were healthy and unhealthy.
Some of the healthier ways:
If you find natural therapies are still not relieving your symptoms don’t be afraid or ashamed to seek help from your primary care physician or mental health specialist. It’s ok to temporarily relieve symptoms but if you find yourself isolating or not getting daily tasks done please talk to someone about it. You deserve to be happy and healthy.
Free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service
1-800-662-HELP
+REJUVENATE+
How to deal with social and visiting travel exhaustion?
Have you ever felt all peopled out? Does talking for hours on end with people give you social exhaustion? Does it feel like you ran a marathon?
Social exhaustion can affect us mentally, emotionally and physically. Social exhaustion is the feeling of being overwhelmed and drained by constant interactions with people. It affects your overall well-being and productivity.
You may feel symptoms like persistent fatigue, decreased motivation, irritability, and reduced concentration. Prolonged symptom lead to decreased physical health, anxiety and depression.
Factors that contribute to social exhaustion:
Unrealistic expectations
Overcommitment
Lack of Boundaries
Demands of Work, School or Home Life
Ways to overcome social exhaustion:
Prioritize self care by prioritizing your mental and physical well-being. Find activities that bring you joy. Practice self-compassion.
Set boundaries by learning to say “no.” Learn to communicate openly and directly about your needs and limitations.
Practice and utilize effective time management to avoid overcommitting. Prioritize your tasks according to importance. Importance defined by yourself, not others.
Ask your friends, family and coworkers for support. Don’t be afraid to reach out. Surround yourself with individuals who are positive, understanding and provide emotional support.
Find a healthy school-work-life balance. Recharge by participating in activities that are unrelated to your obligations.
+CONNECT+
Social connection supports our longevity. Researchers have found that having strong and secure relationships increases our happiness and increases our odds of long term survival by 50 percent.
“If you want a friend, be a friend.”
Don’t wait until tomorrow. Reach out to a friend or family member today. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been. It doesn’t matter what the last words were said. Life is short. You don’t have to write a novel. Just say hi. Chances are they have been wanting to do the same thing. Prioritize communication and connections with others.
+RESIST+
Most of us are taking in a daily dose of media and social media. Reading, scrolling and feeding our minds with negativity that is triggering stress.
We tell ourselves that we have to stay informed. And in doing so we’ve created an unhealthy addiction to “bad news.” There is no “good news” channel. How long have you gone without watching or hearing news? A day? A week? For most people it’s a daily habit. But is it really a good habit? News gets our attention creating urgency, outrage and anxiety. These negative emotions and thoughts are actually addictive. They do not create a positive outlook on life.
Micheal Peely a licensed psychotherapist has created a stop watching the news one day challenge. He urges people to shut off the media and talk to your neighbor instead. He reminds everyone that news can be addictive, and aside from abstaining from food, water and sleep you can most certainly survive and shut off your tv and computer for at least one day.
“Remember, if something important happens, you'll hear about it.”
Learn about ANT therapy
+FREE+
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Stay Safe!
Tinessa Johnsrud, HHP, CHNC, CWC
Traditional Wellness™ Consulting
****Information and resources shared are for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any type of disease or condition.****
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