Category: Health

Do You Have Unstructured Time?

Sometimes it feels like every day is scheduled to its fullest. Every moment is spoken for, every instant efficiently organized. But is it worthwhile to have some amount of unstructured time?

It is understood that unstructured time for children is important in their development. Even if it is just for a half hour a day, recess, or unstructured play time, is a commonality in most schools.

But what about adults? Is there a value to setting aside a certain amount of time each day to do nothing? What kind of value might that be?

One theory about dreams suggest that they exist in order to allow our brains to process the events of the day. That makes a certain amount of sense, as it can be very difficult to fully understand a moment as it occurs. It is only with the passage of some time, and the opportunity to think about what happened and to put it into context, that we fully comprehend our lives.

But outside of dreams, unstructured time may provide a similar opportunity. If our brains are not focused on a particular task, they can effectively process what has happened.

Meditation has also become more popular, used by a lot of people for a number of different cognitive reasons. Whether it is concentrating on your breathing, or attempting to be fully present in the moment, many people find meditation useful for calming thoughts and making for a more peaceful day.

Does that count as unstructured time? Or is meditation a kind of structure?

Whether it is meditation, zoning out while working out at the gym, or lying in bed at night before falling asleep, we have the opportunity for unstructured time. Do you take advantage? What is the value in it? Do you have unstructured time?

Related questions: What is the value of inefficiency? What do you think about when out for a walk? Is our attention fractured? How do you set priorities? Are we too busy?

Do You Know Your Blood Pressure?

Some people track their biometric information, and others don’t. One of the most common data points is blood pressure. Do you know your typical range?

Share why if you wish.

How Do You Perform Self-Care?

Self-care is becoming more popular, but there are still many people who do not know what self-care means. Or how to do it.

In order to keep your car functioning, you have to take it to the shop every so often. Your body and mind are no different. Routine maintenance is necessary to keep yourself working well. You can’t help others, like friends or family members, if you don’t take care of yourself.

For your body, you might get regular massages. Or go to the gym to work out. Maybe you run, or bike, or rock climb. Self-care can even be as simple as going to a primary care physician for an annual check-up.

To keep your mind working well, some people meditate. Others might see a therapist regularly. You might have a pet that calms you down, or take an occasional day off to sit on the couch and read a book.

There are many different ways to improve your physical or mental health. Are there any in particular that you do? Are there some you wish you, or a family member, would do on a regular basis? Does your job offer any self-care benefits? How do you perform self-care?

Related questions: What does it mean to be healthy? Could everyone benefit from therapy? What makes you the happiest? Shower or bath?

What Does It Mean To Be Healthy?

Being more healthy is a goal that many of us have. We want to lose a few pounds, lower that cholesterol, climb the stairs without getting winded.

But what, exactly, does getting “healthy” mean? Determining how to define the word health is a logical first step.

There are many different ways to be healthy: physically, mentally, emotionally, socially.

Physical health is, perhaps, the most obvious, and the easiest to measure. For instance, you can step on a scale, or count the number of reps or laps, or take your blood pressure. In January, gym memberships surge, as people try and work out regularly. They want to lose the weight they gained over the holidays.

Equally important but less often addressed is mental health. How much introspection do you do? Do you go to therapy, for yourself or with your significant other? Meditation, for example, is becoming more popular, which many people use to become more calm and centered.

Similarly, emotional health is rarely dealt with. Are you more often happy or sad? Do you express your emotions in a healthy way? Our emotional well-being is part of who we are, but we often ignore it.

Finally, there is the issue of how we fit in with others. Our relationships with friends, co-workers, and family members can be positive or negative. Healthy or unhealthy. On a larger scale, how do you fit into society? What is your carbon footprint? Are you a good citizen?

Of course, this is not meant to be an exhaustive list. There are other ways to be healthy. Can you think of some?

In short, what is your definition of health? Do you eat organic food? Run marathons? Host a weekly poker night? Vote in your town elections?

What does it mean to be healthy?

Related questions: Could everyone benefit from therapy? What duty do we have to live properly? What makes you the happiest? Resolutions or no resolutions?

 

What Is The Sickest You Have Ever Been?

Being sick is unpleasant. It can come with any number of symptoms: fever, nausea, aches and pains, vomiting, and so on. When have you been the sickest?

Share why if you wish.