For something to be a “wellness adventure” it has to meet three specific criteria.
Master these criteria and you’ll be able to spot good wellness adventures for yourself.
The three criteria also help us identify and pursue wellness adventures that are within the realm of our control and abilities.
Criteria #1 – A Wellness Adventure is SIMPLE
Simple means – Most people can do a particular wellness adventure.
The adventure is easy enough to learn and understand. The adventure is easy enough to do.
Simple does not mean that you can learn it in a second. Or even thirty minutes, an hour, a day, or a week. Simple means you can do it. Depending on where a person starts in their wellness adventure, it could take quite some time for them to learn about, master, and fully incorporate into your life.
Criteria #2 – A Wellness Adventure is EFFECTIVE
Effective means – the wellness adventure is something that works. It actually, really works.
Effective does not mean it will always work immediately. It could take time for it to work. I do expect wellness adventures to show that they are working within a reasonable amount of time. For me that usually is one week to 30 days.
Honing your ability to recognize that something is effective is a skill you will need to develop. So in addition to making sure the wellness adventures you choose are effective – remember to pay attention to your skill in recognizing that which is truly effective.
Effective also does not mean snake oil – as in the old time thing where traveling merchants with carts passed off jars of who knows what as cure-alls.
In addition to developing the skill to recognize that something you try is effective is also developing a skill to recognize snake oil solutions. They are everywhere and if you fall for one it is okay. I have fallen for a good many myself. When this happens I thank the snake oil for its role in my life. If I had not tried it, I might have wondered about it for awhile. This doesn’t mean that we should try everything that comes along. It just means that sometimes, in spite of our best efforts, a wellness adventure may not be as effective as we thought it would be.
Criteria #3 – A Wellness Adventure is ACCESSIBLE
Accessible means – most people can access a particular wellness adventure.
And when I say “access” I mean:
- it’s relatively easy to get the tools or the information needed for the adventure,
- the cost is not prohibitive, and
- the doing of the adventure is within reach of most people.
An example from the travel world would be comparing a weekend bus trip in your county to a three-week long adventure of a life-time to the Galapagos Islands. The bus trip is easy to sign up for via a local travel agency, the cost is within reach of many people’s incomes, and the doing of it is possible because it takes a weekend of your time and it’s on a bus. The trip to the Galapagos Islands would mean international travel, being off work for three full weeks, and of course the cost (these cruises are easily $10-$15,000 per person or even more).
An Example Wellness Adventure
Let’s use the wellness adventure of skin brushing as an example of applying these three criteria.
First, is skin brushing SIMPLE?
In other words, if someone said to you “hey I think you would really like skin brushing as a wellness adventure” could you easily find out about skin brushing? What it is, how to do it, and how to get started? Yes, it’s as simple as a search online or a trip to a natural food store or a conversation with a wellness practitioner (like a massage therapist, yoga teacher, nutritionist, or naturopathic practitioner).
Second, is skin brushing EFFECTIVE?
I go about getting the answer to this question using two general methods.
First, I search online using a search phrase like “is skin brushing effective”. I check multiple search engines since they will each give different results. I scroll several pages deep to get past the blog posts that rank high because of paid listings or skilled design. I’m more interested in real information than the skill and dollars it takes to rank high on search engine results. Then I look for a mix of first-person results as well as commentary from various professionals. If I find it, I take the next step of learning how to use the method and trying it for myself.
When trying an item for myself, I recognize that seeing if it works could take some time. I need to make sure I’m doing it correctly and I work on incorporating it into my life. I track results. Sometimes it’s a mental process for me although in my early years of adventuring I kept journals (something I HIGHLY recommend – there is nothing that works as well to track as writing about your progress, by hand, on paper – yes really, don’t do it on an app, do it the way I just suggested). I usually give things about 30 days to show that they are working. And keep in mind it could take longer. Whatever you do, don’t look for sound bite results – meaning don’t expect an instant change or improvement. Learn to monitor and recognize the itty bitty steps that occur with true change and improvement.
Back to skin brushing – yes it’s effective, there’s lots of evidence to show that it is. Plus you’ll turn up a few articles that dismiss it (honestly, those articles are generally one of my markers that something might be worth trying and skin brushing is a perfect example of this phenomena).
What improvements did I notice from skin brushing? It will open pours and clear debris like nothing else. It stimulates lymphatic flow (you will have to learn how this can be measured via visible bio markers), it softens the skin on the bottom of my feet, releases ingrown hairs, and improves energy levels.
Third, is skin brushing accessible?
Was it easy for me to learn about skin brushing? Yes, it’s super easy. I can look it up online and the articles about it abound. I can ask at my local natural food store – where the staff all skin brush and skin brushes are available. They also have a handout at their information desk with good information about skin brushing. Finally I’ve had lots of healthcare practitioners talk to me about the value of skin brushing – from my chiropractor back in the 1990’s to some of the integrative physicians I talk with these days. So yes, it was accessible for me to get quality information about it from a variety of sources.
Was it easy for me to get a skin brush? As in find it and purchase it? Yes, also super easy. Skin brushes can be bought online (please seek out a nice place where your money really supports local business – EarthHero.com is such a place). Even better buy your brush from a locally owned business in your community. That’s a wellness adventure for how you spend your money! Skin brushes cost less than $20! And one brush lasts for years.
A Final Comment About the Three Criteria
As with all things in life, the more you go on wellness adventures, the better you will be at being a wellness adventurer.
This means that what is simple will change for you over time. What is effective and accessible will change as well.
Your skills will grow and expand. Your travel muscles will develop. You may go on more extensive and complex adventures.
Each adventurer is a unique person. Be kind to yourself and start with beginner adventures. Make sure those adventures are simple, effective, and accessible for where you are right now today.
Happy Wellness Travels!
Dr. Sean O’Mara