Tired of politics? Fear not! What you’re about to read is not a politically divisive article. Actually, I mean to tickle your funny bone and get you thinking a bit about lifestyles and habits we’ve largely adopted as a culture. But, these ideas just might in fact be the thing that will inspire our nation to become more intentional about making healthy choices!
So what will it take? Just three simple laws.
I know what you may be thinking. We have tons of laws on the books in our country. While I’m loath to add more, let’s for fun consider just three more laws that will transform us into a nation of inhabitants with significantly less anxiety, less chronic disease, and fewer obstacles that restrict the ability for people to move around as their bodies are intended.
How do we get there? I submit there are huge steps to arrive at that slim goal, but let’s ponder this idea: in order to reach this point we need these three laws that free us from receiving and believing misinformation and the detrimental commitment to being comfortable in every moment of our life.
So, to our fine elected officials I suggest passage of the following bills:
#1: Resolved, it is hereby unlawful to discuss medical situations in the workplace. I have spent quite a bit of time throughout my career undoing flawed information shared with a patient by a friend in the next cubical after said patient has revealed a particular symptom. If by chance the colleague’s Aunt’s boyfriend’s mother had had a similar symptom, whatever she did or thought trumps the training, years of experience, careful assessment, and plan of the one offering treatment. In these situations, hearsay seems to carry more weight than data and education. The results often lead to unnecessary anxiety. The beliefs are bolstered further by pop-science websites that want you to believe they are more reliable than the medical community.
By enacting this simple law to refrain from discussing medical situations in the workplace, we will effectively preserve the peace, trust, and confidence that should be the foundation of every patient-provider relationship.
#2: Resolved, it is unlawful to wear stretchy pants for any reason except for the purpose of exercise. “What?!” you say. “I love my _______ (fill in the blank: yoga pants, sweats, etc.)” I’m talking eliminating yoga pants at Wegmans, sweat pants at Wal-mart, and nylon shorts at McDonalds.
Is this really necessary? What harm can stretchy pants cause? Turns out a lot. Don’t we love these clothes because they give no feedback to the unsuspecting wearer of his/her expanding waist with each handful of potato chips or M & M’s? Jeans or slacks tend to be not so forgiving.
With this new law we will become a nation of people who are inspired to move if we desire to wear our beloved stretchy clothing. This means more physical activity which alone can combat many of the problems we as Americans face. Second, this law keeps us accountable to our bodies, especially when some extra pounds start creeping up on us.
#3: Resolved, it is here-to-for illegal to possess a recliner. Now, I realize that I am really treading on some holy ground. While proposed laws 1 and 2 usually get some chuckles and mild assent when I’ve suggested them to patients, this one seems to hit just a little too hard. Fear, guilt and even horror can be seen in their eyes at the mere thought of it! Why be against such a comfy innocuous piece of furniture? I in turn respond with a question: how many times does someone after easily settling into their recliner suddenly get the urge to get up and exercise, or to start that healthy eating plan after all. I think it’s safe to say never. Also included in this bill would be a clause forbidding an open bag or bowl of snacks to be within easy reach while watching TV.
Of course the notion of such laws is ridiculous, but take a moment to ponder how this might change the health of our nation! Keep in mind, information is not necessarily education. Information is only valuable within a context of general understanding. With these laws would come:
- Less fear from inaccurate information, quicker resolution of troublesome medical problems,
- Better eating decisions due to negative feedback from clothes that actually let us know when we’ve gone a bit overboard, and
- More joy as we pull away from passive screen time and experience the pleasures that come with moving our bodies through time and space and feeling the invigoration that comes with movement.
We’ll not trouble our lawmakers with such tasks, but perhaps we could go ahead and adopt a couple of these in our own lives.
So consider suggestions from that well-meaning co-worker or family member and share them with your health care provider, but also seriously consider what your trained physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant suggests. Instead of immediately “throwing on those sweats” when you get inside your home, leave those work clothes on a bit longer, or make yourself wear those jeans that have gotten a bit tight after the holidays. And give your recliner a bit of a break, choosing instead a walk or exercise video after your evening meal. Since physical exertion can be endured more easily when done with others, bring a family member or friend along with you for company and the effect will be doubly felt.
Go ahead and pass these laws in your self-government, and enjoy the peace that comes with quality information and the joy that comes through movement!
