Simple pleasures

In a recent edition of “Time” magazine, K.J. Dell’Antonio, author of “How to be a Happier Parent,” suggests, “Moderate your news intake. On any given day, ugly things have been said and done, justice has not been served — and vast forces are now aligned to be sure we do not miss a minute of it. But these flashes of anxiety are mostly pointless. I may need and want to know what’s going on in the world, but news delivered in that manner evokes fear rather than informs.”

What better time than summer to loosen up, turn off the TV and enjoy some positive experiences? This makes me think of a book I read a while back titled, “Healthy Pleasures,” by Robert Ornstein, Ph.D. and David Sobel, M.D. What drew me to the book in first place was the authors’ unusual outlook about living healthfully. Whether we grimly plod through our days, nose to the grindstone, never looking around us as we run on a treadmill of constant activity, or we let every negative thing get to us instead of taking the time to enjoy the many healthy pleasures that surround us if we take some time to recognize them. This can make a great difference in our physical and psychological well-being. The authors wrote: “The collective weight of the evidence strongly points to how positive mood influences resistance to and recovery from disease. The opposite is true as well: negative moods, depression, hostility and a lack of pleasure all seem to contribute to poor health. There appears to be a physiology of happiness which communicates to our heart, our immune system, our entire body.”

Ornstein and Sobel are careful to caution that it’s best to practice moderation in all things. One’s diet, lifestyle, emotional issues and social activities must all be taken into account. But if we don’t slow down and become mindful enough to allow ourselves to take in those things that recharge our batteries and uplift our spirits, not only does quality of life suffer, but all of the concentration on calorie and cholesterol numbers, aerobic exercise, body image, etc. won’t do much good. Many studies are cited to back this up.

To enjoy healthy pleasures, our minds and hearts must be open and receptive. Then, as we tune into our feelings, we will sense a release of tension, a sense of pleasure and sometimes a bit of transcendence from the mundane. As a result, healthy pleasures help prevent uprightness of all sorts — to loosening up the workaholic who feels compelled to be constantly productive, to mellowing those who spend their energy worrying about this calorie and that pec, or lamenting the state of the nation. And healthy pleasures delectably enrich the lives of those who have already honed that ability to hang loose.

So, what are healthy pleasures? You’ve probably thought of some already. How about viewing a beautiful sunset, listening to and/or moving to inspirational music, enjoying a fine meal with pleasant companions, playing with a child, enjoying a good laugh, walking in lovely surroundings, reading a good book, learning something new, creating something new and satisfying with our hands or our minds, helping someone in need. Whatever healthy pleasure that raises our spirits contributes to our well-being. We need to seek our favorites — some planned, some spontaneous — and try to enjoy them frequently.

Moments of pleasure and joy, no matter how small, that result from healthy pleasures, do much to help us deal with all of the disturbing events that plague us in this unprecedented time of anxiety and insecurity and to bolster our sense of well-being.

“Be joyful, though you’ve considered all of the facts.” — Ashleigh Brilliant.

Since 1984, Dorothy Dimitre has written more than 950 columns for various local newspapers. Her email address is gramsd@aceweb.com.