Dr. Oz was on the Today show a (few?) weeks ago and he was talking about the 5 habits of “healthy” people.
1. Eat breakfast every day – I’m surprisingly bad at this. I always eat breakfast on work days, but on my days off, I am slow starting. I don’t wake up hungry, so rather than eat first thing, I wait ‘til my body wants something. Typically it’s coffee first and foremost.
2. Exercise – well duh, we all saw that one from a mile away.
3. Sex life – since my parents and in-laws occasionally read this I’m gonna skip right on ahead to number four.
4. Me time – this is my work in progress area. Much of my me time is not true me time because I multi-task. Sometimes I wonder how things would change if I just quit blogging. I hate feeling like my computer & camera are an extension of me. I’ve been much better at unplugging lately but there’s definitely still room for improvement. Right now it’s not really an issue since I can dork around during the day when Kyle’s at school, but once he graduates and starts working full time things may change in order for me to maximize my time with him.
5. Stress management – of all the categories, I think this is the most important. When not properly dealt with, stress bleeds into every part of your life. What kind of outlet do “healthy people” have? Judging by the previous points, I’m guess exercise and sex. And maybe some “me time” (too far?). Probably not with food though. If I’m being perfectly honest, this is also an area that I am constantly working on. I wish I was zen enough without effort, but I’m not. I neglect my other hobbies (drawing and reading), and have to schedule meditation and yoga into my life. What does that say about me?
What do you think? Do you consider yourself healthy? How do your habits compare with these five?
I like his points, but most of them are kinda obvious. Also “healthy” is a fairly vague term that can be interpreted and measured a number of ways. I do appreciate Dr. Oz’s emphasis on mental and emotional well being though. Clearly balance is the ultimate way to keep yourself sane (and for me sanity = healthy).
At the end of the day, though, I’m still unsure if I make the cut. Yes, I eat well, exercise often, and cope with stress in non-destructive ways, but there’s definitely a certain level of crazy that I keep to myself for the sake of Kyle the world. Raise your hand if you think neuroses are endearing […crickets…].
If only Dr. Oz could’ve given me some extra credit for the quality of my breakfasts. I think that’s where I excel.
Brown rice and quinoa flakes with granola.
Fresh bananas and strawberries.
I totally agree about the idea of healthy being so vague!!! Somehow my definition of healthy becomes a lot looser if I’ve just eaten a chocolate muffin… 🙂
Im good at the first four, but I don’t do very well at the stress management piece….it def bleeds into every other part of life. I agree that his list vague…it’s sounds like the bare minimum to be healthy since there are so many other things that can go into it too
I definitely think you should get extra credit for the quality of your meals! 🙂 I am not so great at ‘me time,’ because I, too, am a multitasker and say ‘yes’ to my family a lot. Having just started a blog a few months ago, I’m already wondering how you well-established ladies keep it going–it is rewarding but also sucks quite a bit out of you.
Interesting…I am great about eating breakfast every day. I exercise often–but injury has been plaguing me since last October and definitely causes me a lot of stress. My sex life is non-existent. Me time is something I always take on my days off. Stress management is something I have began to improve when speaking of my binging habits but at work I usually end up with a tension headache that ends up in my shoulders. I don’t understand why my shoulders aren’t absolutely ripped because they are always working. lol.
I would consider myself healthy but like you said there are areas where I can improve. Unplugging is definitely one of them!
Some of the stuff Dr. Oz says these days can be pretty nutty but these 5 points are great! I try to exercise, eat well, get me time, and now that I have graduated I am REALLY good at stress management 🙂 Although I didn’t do a good job with that this year so I”ll have to be better once my schedule picks up. I also need to work on my ‘love life!’
By the way, the quality of your breakfast IS amazing…I want some granola and strawberries now!
I agree that “healthy” is a vague term, but I also think that it’s a great thing that a public figure is paying attention & vocalizing the need for people to work on getting healthy.
Using his 5 points as a barameter I’d say that I’m pretty healthy. I’m great about eating (slurping) breakfast every day, I get in more than enough exercise, my sex life provides additional exercise, I live alone 4 days of the week so I kick booty on the “me time” point, and while I’m not fabulous at stress management I consciously work on it and have plans and goals revolving around dealing with it.
I feel like 2, 4 & 5 fall into one category…my exercise is my ‘me’ time & it helps with my stress levels. There aren’t enough hours in a day for me put them each into separate categories.
What’s healthy for one person might cause a lot of stress to someone else … me for instance … if I felt I had to carve out time for exercise, time for myself & time for stress management every day I would be a completely stressed mess.
1 & 3 should be kept in their own separate categories & thankfully I can say I have no problem with either one of those areas ; ) Elise, I love your breakfasts & you do extra points for all of them!!!
You know I feel the same way about unplugging and detaching from my computer, but sometimes I feel like that IS my de-stressor? I’m good with breakfast and exercise, but definitely need to work on “me time” and relaxing more. Actually sometimes its best for me to purposely schedule time with friends – it makes sure that I’m not on my computer and having real conversations and building friendships
Regarding #3, today is a day I’m reading your blog the same day you posted it. And FYI, it’s much worse thinking about one’s parents than one’s kids in that regard. Just saying… 🙂
I definitely think I’m healthy in terms of getting in enough nutrients and exercise, but I definitely need better ways to de-stress! I have high levels of anxiety and don’t necessarily deal with them in the best way. I do like that he mentions mental health as well, because that can hugely effect me. Healthy is definitely a vague term and can be defined in so many ways, but at least he’s promoting these tips for people who don’t have knowledge about ideas on how to get healthy. It also shows that just because you “look” healthy on the outside, doesn’t mean you are
I love those! I’m definitely lacking in the stress management department.
oh man I was excited for some sex talk, haha
Ha! Love it! 🙂
Maybe your “you” time is your blogging as it is an expression and extension of you? Hmmm I get what you mean though.
I never eat straight away in the morning… coffee first, feed child, clean, get organised for the day… breakfast is usually and after thought but I DO get round to it eventually!
figures you’d read this one 😉
Found this blog looking for steel cut oats recipes……I’m into natural health and healthy eating due to my intolerance to gluten and dairy. My meat-and-three-veg Australian farming family doesn’t really get it! I’m excited to read your stuff about FODMAPs, coz even though I try and avoid gluten and dairy, I still get a reaction to some things and I can tolerate small amts of gluten/dairy. So THANKS!! This is awesome.
I’d say I’m healthier than a lot of ppl in my community, but I still lurve sweet stuff and get caught on sugar-craving binges. I have four children with another due in Sept, so exercise comes in the form of squats to do up shoes, pick up babies, etc and of course, with five pregnancies in seven years there’s no problems with the sex life :D!
I’m into prayer, too, which gets me through most days!! So that’d be my top stress reliever. That, and back rubs :).
Thanks again for the awesome blog!
haha.. #3.. your answer. i think animals need to be on that list! and sleep.. oh, i love sleep.
such good points…i love having the blog to vent and share whatever i want.
but i do need to schedule in time with real live people or else ill turn into a robot and forget how to interact with humans.
ha. 😉
hi maya!! glad you found me 🙂 5 kiddos in 7 years!?!?! wow.
word. animals should definitely be on there.
I, too, eat well and exercise. I think my trouble comes with stress management! I don’t really have any strategies for doing so. Until now I’ve relied on my own assumption that I don’t get stressed very easily, but lately that’s not true.