I just got invited to join a month-long health kick to be administered over social media. I get the point – group solidarity and all that – but I can’t help but think that accountability would be higher if it was an in-person thing. That’s neither here nor there, though. It’s just got me thinking about what being healthy means in this day and age.
I mean, there’s the physical side of things, which most of us are at least somewhat familiar with – maintaining a balanced diet, getting regular exercise and looking after your teeth. Even that much seems to get increasingly complex with every passing year. I’m sure the basics stay essentially the same, but it still feels like you’re slipping under the bar if you don’t have a dietitian and personal trainer on call.
Then there’s the mental aspect, which is certainly no less complex. Keeping excessive stress and worry at bay while juggling a full-time job, kids and relationships, not to mention parents, in-laws and, of course, the oft-neglected dietary management and exercise routine.
When you think about it, it’s no wonder that everyone and their dog is seeing a psychologist. Mornington readers, what’s your experience around that? Is it common to be receiving professional mental health support in your circles? Or do you feel like the odd one out for doing so?
Don’t get me wrong; I don’t think there’s a problem one way or the other. I’m just curious because I sometimes feel like the oddity for never having seen a psychologist (although I’m sure there have been times when I could have benefited from it). This could be something that’s unusually highlighted for me, given that two of my sisters have had lengthy runs of psychiatry sessions. Mornington, fortunately, has excellent mental health support services, and both sisters are doing really well now.
Anyway… what was my point again? That’s right – something to do with physical and mental health being equally complex, and also interrelated. Maybe an online health kick has its place, but I probably wouldn’t start there if I was feeling sub par.