Combating Wellness Deficit Disorder
By Brittany Albright MD, MPH
“We are not broken, but we could be whole.”
I spent several hours yesterday floating down a cool river on a rented inflatable tube with loved ones right outside of Austin, Texas. I felt whole. I felt joy. I felt well (until I crashed into a rock but that’s a story for a different time..). I was largely off my phone. I was constantly laughing. We didn’t want it to end. It cost $30.
Speaking of forest and river bathing (which I highly advise you to do!), I also highly recommend tuning into Episode 2 of Positive Psychiatry by my dear friend Dr. Rakesh Jain, MD, MPH. It’s a powerful reminder that while many of us aren’t clinically “sick,” we are living in a grave state of wellness deficiency. Here are some takeaways from his podcast that stuck with me and reminded me of why I felt so happy on my budget friendly tubing journey yesterday in nature.
I hope these tips may just nudge you back toward wholeness, too:
**Reconnect with Nature
Nature is a fantastic healer. Whether it’s gardening, hiking, swimming in a river, lake or ocean or simply sitting in the grass under the sun- get outside! Let Mother Earth do her thing.
**Practice Gratitude
Every joy, every small victory, every moment of grace: name it, savor it. Gratitude rewires the brain.
**Put Down Your Phone
Digital detox isn’t optional, it’s essential. Schedule phone-free time and allow boredom to reintroduce you to your own thoughts.
**Declutter Your Mind
Just like we clean our homes, we must sort through our mental clutter. Let go of thoughts that don’t serve you, especially the negative ones and the ones that create feelings of jealousy. Emotional organization is a necessary wellness skill.
**Use Food as Medicine
Nutritious food is the foundation of mental health. The Mediterranean diet has proven benefits for mood, focus, and resilience. Think of meals as neurotransmitter fuel!
**Human Connection is Non-Negotiable
As Dr. Jain puts it: “It’s a toxin to our wellness to not be connected to other human beings.”
Even brief, positive social exchanges = microsocialization with random strangers can meaningfully boost wellbeing. Smile. Compliment. Say hello. It matters.
Let’s nourish our minds and bodies intentionally. Wellness is not a luxury… it’s the baseline for everything else and especially for positive psychiatry.
Link to Dr. Jain’s amazing podcast: https://lnkd.in/e4VtAUNf