Wellness Reaction Paper
Megan Stoneberg
While reading this chapter on personal wellness, there were a few things that were
new to me. The first was two types of club drugs, Sextasy and Destiny. Whoever came up
with these names must have already been addicted because they are ridiculous. It turns
out Sextasy is a MDMA and Viagra mix. How appropriately named. The effects of this
drug are a heightened sexual experience, rapid heart rate, and increased blood pressure.
The other club drug, Destiny, is synthetic heroin and the effects include feeling drowsy,
painless, and having a floating sensation.
Another interesting fact I read was that some medical research has suggested that
exercise fights depression. It seems that people are to quick to medicate, and from this
research, should at least attempt using this alternative before popping pills. The book also
listed some causes of depression like genetic traits, chemical imbalances, stress, illness,
injury, and Seasonal Affective Disorder. There were several self-help strategies if your
are depressed and ways of decreasing depressive thoughts like playing positive songs,
getting exercise, and talking with friends or a professional. It seems there are several little
things you can try which seem to make a lot of sense (why fuel the fire by listening to
some satanic death music) before prescription medication becomes necessary.
In one particular section, the book discussed a few of the wide variety of benefits
from regular physical fitness. I was already aware about the standard physical heath
benefits (improving the cardiovascular system, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol,
etc.) but was surprised at the number of mental problems helped with exercise, some of
these include preventing insomnia, increasing energy and confidence, and decreasing
levels of stress.
As I said before, that standard “help” that is handed out for these problems is
medication. I’m curious as to why there is not more awareness and attention being drawn
to this by doctors. I haven’t known anyone who has been given such advice for these
types of problems and it seems pretty ridiculous not to mention a self-help option with
such good results. I also learned that wellness incorporates body, mind, and soul. I have
never really though of the soul as a contributor to wellness, but it makes sense.
Spirituality can have such an impact on a person’s life, why wouldn’t it be a source for
personal wellness?
Some changes I need to make to improve my personal wellness are establishing
healthier eating habits and becoming more physically active. Making time for some sort
of exercise every day (whether swimming, walking, yoga, etc.) will help me to better
myself and create and maintain a personal wellness plan. Also some other mind and soul
activities that the book suggested that seem useful are thinking positively, surrounding
yourself with positive people, and creating ways to decompress after school to avoid
anxiety and possible depression. To a college student, and anyone else, using these
strategies will help for a more holistic approach to personal wellness and allow
individuals to take their health in their own hands.