Wellness Wednesday #7

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the fact that this is one of the first WW posts in a long time that’s actually been posted on a Wednesday. Moment of silent reverence. Okay, let’s get to it.

Wellness Wednesday Challenge from last week:

If you didn't get a chance to live stream any of the Bluemind Summit, check out the videos that are all posted here. I still have a few to go through myself, but this one theme continues to ring true: by developing a connection with the ocean, we can take strides towards saving it. One of the core courses in my Master of Public Health degree plan is an Overview of the Environment course. At first, this struck me as odd. Not in a “why study the environment?!” way. But, in a “okay, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Promotion, Policy, and Environment…which one of these doesn't belong here?” kind of way. But, I've come to understand that study of the environment makes perfect since in application to public health. (Go ahead, say “duh Jasmin” if you’re more astute than I am) But, it really does make sense. It goes with the idea of being holistically healthy: mind, body, spirit and environment. So, again, keep these thoughts in mind when you hear some of the talks and then forever and always as you go about your daily life.

This week’s challenge:

So, in my city, traffic is … how should I put it? 

Traffic is…horrible...inevitable…a way of life? I don’t really know how to describe it. 

There are a lot of cities in America where traffic is all of these things and more, and my city is one of them. I’m noticing that traffic can lead to a lot of internal and external stress. Commuting back and forth through traffic is a mental-physical workout! You have to remain ever vigilant for when the car in front of you moves half an inch because every little bit counts. And, you don’t want to be that person who is holding up every one else from progressing a whopping 1.2 inches! Oh, no – that person gets honked at. Speaking of honks: was that person honking at me? I didn’t do anything- oh wait, that was that other car, oh and we’re stopping again. Then, you try and maneuver the lanes and it never fails – every lane you switch into becomes the slow lane! So, you endure, and finally you’re at the end of the traffic – and the fact that the rest of the freeway looks perfectly clear just annoys you all the more.

It was stressful just typing that last paragraph. Imagine that experience at least twice a day for a least five days a week. It’s bound to wreak havoc on your nerves! So, what to do? Mindful traffic cruising.

Mindful cruising is best when done on a clear, winding Texas road, by the way.
But let's try mindful cruising in traffic!

I thought of this while I was in traffic yesterday. I remember my professor back at Duke speaking of times and places where we could practice mindfulness. One place was the car, while driving. Your mind wanders during this time anyway, so might as well make a contentious effort to be present and aware of the things around you. Every visual, every noise. Notice it. Take it in. Be present in the moment. Don’t think about yesterday or tomorrow or even what you’re going to eat once you get out of traffic. Just be present. For at least 5 minutes. Let’s be real. Okay, go!