Challenge Yourself to Expand Your Mind Your Intellectual Wellness Matters!
A New ‘Leash’
These days, as taking care of our health becomes more important than ever, we hear a lot about our physical wellness and how to improve it using nutritious foods and exercise.
Some dogs just want to have fun — but others have a job to do. My name is Max, and I’m a trained narcotics detection dog. My dad was a drug enforcement agent at the Sanders County Sheriff’s office, and we spent seven years working together. Being a drug-detection dog was great because Dad and I got to go on adventures. We’d walk through the woods, trudge through feet of snow, and visit lots of houses to get the job done. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of the hunt! But while it was a lot of fun, work was also serious business. There’s no fetch when you’re on duty.
But what about our intellectual wellness?
What is intellectual wellness? The University of New Hampshire defines intellectual wellness as “being open to new ideas, thinking critically, and finding ways to be creative.” Essentially, this means thinking about the world around you with an open mind and putting energy into what you’re thinking, not just allowing your brain to run idly. Signs of healthy intellectual wellness include: • Ability to see an issue from all sides • Purposeful exposure to ideas, beliefs, and people who differ from yourself • Awareness of your core values • Capacity to learn new things How to Foster and Develop Intellectual Wellness Intellectual wellness differs from other types of well-being. You need to work hard and challenge yourself to stay intellectually healthy. If you’re looking to improve or nurture your intellectual wellness, here are three ways to do it.
I’m especially good at sniffing out marijuana. It’s my specialty! But when the law changed in Montana, it meant the police no longer needed my services. So, Dad and I retired together about a year ago. I liked work, but I’m also having a good time relaxing at home — especially since my doctors at the Animal Clinic of Kalispell help me with my arthritis.
Yellow labs like me are prone to a lot of trouble with our joints. I previously had TPLO surgery on my back knees, but I was still having
Valentine’s Day Dog Trea Celebrate your four-legged valentine this month with these adorable and delicious treats! Inspired by PrettyFluffy.com
1. Learn a new skill. One of the main components of intellectual wellness is working to acquire more knowledge. This doesn’t need to be physics or engineering but can be something as simple as cooking a new healthy recipe, learning to draw, or attempting a DIY home repair project. The important part is that mastering something new provides an information-based approach to the world around you. 2. Remove subjectivity. We view every situation with a pre-formed opinion or bias. The truth is our brains are wired this way to streamline thinking, but to be intellectually healthy, we must work hard to push past it. Remove subjectivity by learning a different way to perform a task or challenge yourself to understand (or simply read) the ideas of others. Be objective, even when you disagree with them. 3. Improve your critical thinking. Next time you’re engrossed in conversation, try being thoroughly engaged and think about what is being said. Ask questions to yourself and others, and hash out what you agree with and things you don’t. Work to keep your brain active in everything you do by finding a connection to everything around you.
Ingredients
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2 eggs
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1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 1/2 cups almond flour
1 tbsp coconut oil
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3–4 tbsp coconut flour
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