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Emotional and

Physical Wellness

HOW HEALTHY ARE YOU WILLING TO BE?

What Would You Risk? Marlene Schwartz, Ph.D.

THINK ABOUT THIS SITUATION AS YOU READ, AND CONSIDER WHAT ACTION YOU WOULD TAKE.
THIS CHAPTER EXAMINES WAYS TO MANAGE STRESS THROUGH HEALTH MAINTENANCE, HOW
TO HANDLE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND HOW TO MAKE EFFECTIVE DECISIONS
ABOUT SUBSTANCES AND SEX.

From her childhood days in Columbia, Maryland, Marlene She had her own nutritional goals
Schwartz was aware of nutrition. There was fruit and for her three young daughters. Marlene
salad every night at the dinner table. There were no vend- gathered the family for dinner as many
ing machines at her schools. After earning an undergrad- nights as possible, serving whole grains
uate degree in psychology from Haverford College, a stint and always including a fruit or vegetable.
as a research assistant at the National Institutes of Health She avoided buying soda and candy, and
inspired her to earn her master’s and doctoral degrees in fast food was rare. Still, Marlene found
clinical psychology. She was intent on changing the world, that society wasn’t in unison with her mission. As she
one person at a time. worked to instill good habits at home, her children’s schools
“Psychology is the study of why people do what they sold Pop Tarts, ice cream, and other sugary treats in the
do and how to get them to do better,” Marlene says. cafeteria. One day, Marlene’s oldest daughter came home
Working with individuals at the Yale Center for Eating and from first grade with a flyer announcing a cookie-eating
Weight Disorders, she felt as though she really did help contest. It was yet another example of how the school
people improve—except in situations where she was system was fueling the childhood obesity epidemic, and it
addressing childhood obesity. With children, Marlene says, was the last straw for Marlene, who felt the school was
“I would do my best, then I felt like the world basically undermining her efforts. She knew she had to take risks to
undid everything I was trying to accomplish. The environ- turn the situation around.
ment was working against them as much as possible.” To be continued . . .

YOU NEED DETERMINA-
TION TO FOLLOW A LIFE-
LONG WELLNESS PLAN. IF
YOU ARE COMMITTED TO
A GOAL, LIKE MARLENE,
YOU WILL REAP PER-
SONAL REWARDS AND
PERHAPS EVEN BENEFIT Working through this chapter will help you to:
YOUR COMMUNITY.
YOU’LL LEARN MORE • Recognize and analyze causes of stress P. 55
ABOUT MARLENE, AND
THE REWARD RESULTING • Identify your stressors and stress levels P. 55
FROM HER ACTIONS, • Explore stress management strategies P. 55
WITHIN THE CHAPTER. • Manage and maintain physical and mental health P. 56
• Identify and manage emotional disorders P. 59
• Make effective decisions about substances P. 64
• Make effective decisions about sex P. 70
• Avoid sexual assault P. 73