Emotional Wellness

The Wellness Antidote (Humor)

The following checklist is taken from The Wellness Workbook, John W. Travis, M.D. and Regina Sara Ryan

In May, 1975, 100 questions (which were later to become the Wellness Index) were tested on 25 staff persons at the Department of Health Services Research, U.S.P.H.S. Hospital in Baltimore. Within 24 hours after distributing the questionnaire, the counter-attack was launched in the form of a spoof by the "guys" in the computer division. One William "Mac" Chapin of Annapolis, Maryland, was the chief perpetrator of the creative endeavour. John subsequently labeled it the Wellness Antidote. Regina developed the scoring scale. It will gauge your ability to break your seriousness about wellness. Scoring is an individual matter. One method for doing it is to rate your responses to each question:

0 points

- didn’t move a muscle

 

4 points

- chuckle in your belly

1 point

- partial smile

 

5 points

- audible laughter

2 points

- wide smile

 

6 points

- uproarious laughter

3 points

- chuckle in your throat

  7 points 

- uncontrollable response, falling off your chair

  1. Productivity, Relaxation, Sleep
    ____1. I enjoy goofing off.
    ____2. I seldom go to bed before passing out.
    ____3. My bed is a least two feet off the floor.
    ____4. I rarely bite or pick my nose.
    ____5. My room is bolted down to prevent spinning.
    A Bonus Point for Strangers
    ____6. Although not centered, I usually try to stay within the outer limits.
    ____ TOTAL
  2. Personal Care and Home Safety
    ____1. I smoke only during and immediately after sex.
    ____2. I regularly check my sex.
    ____3. I keep an up-to-date record of all germs in the house.
    ____4. I wash my hands in the toilet before handling food.
    ____5. I avoid nuclear explosion like the plague.
    Bonus Point for Women
    ____6. I keep my pap covered in cold water.
    ____ TOTAL
  3. Nutritional Awareness
    ____1. I drink beer instead of water because it’s less polluted.
    ____2. I salt only spoiled food.
    ____3. I eat labels on packages rather than the contents.
    ____4. I know the basic types of alcohol and try to keep an ample stock of each.
    ____5. I avoid eating large quantities of wood pulp.
    ____ TOTAL
  4. Environmental Awareness
    ____1. I recycle my septic system by using it to wash my windows.
    ____2. I set my thermostat on the windowsill before going to bed.
    ____3. My car burns less than 3 gallons of oil per 100 miles.
    ____4. I throw bums into the dumpster.
    ____5. I use public showers and eat at the "Y".
    ____ TOTAL
  5. Physical Activity
    ____1. I jump off buildings rather than use the stairs.
    ____2. I kick doors down instead of opening them.
    ____3. I participate in orgies every week.
    ____4. I yodel at least 20 minutes 4 times a day.
    ____5. I jog to the liquor store.
    ____ TOTAL
  6. Emotional Maturity and Expression of Feelings
    ____1. I am frequently sober enough to think.
    ____2. I am able to punch people out without taking it personally.
    ____3. I am frequently nice to idiots and don’t hesitate to use that word.
    ____4. I prefer to get money, but still accept compliments.
    ____5. I would seek help from friends if I had any.
    ____ TOTAL
  7. Community Involvement
    ____1. I vote early and often at each election.
    ____2. If I saw a broken kid in the street, I would put him out of his misery.
    ____3. I know who my neighbors are and swear at most of them.
    ____4. I love my neighbor’s wife.
    ____5. I am a member of one or more subversive organizations.
    ____ TOTAL
  8. Creativity, Self-Expression
    ____1. I enjoy expressing myself. Period.
    ____2. I like myself because I’m so irresistible.
    ____3. I enjoy being touched by my hamster.
    ____4. I am emotionally close to at least five hamsters.
    ____5. I enjoy spending time doing just about anything with Farah Fawcett.
    ____ TOTAL
  9. Automobile Safety
    ____1. I know what a car looks like.
    ____2. I do not mind spending $4.50 a quart for oil.
    ____3. I drive on the road usually.
    ____4. I check my dome light frequently.
    ____5. I carry an emergency fifth at all times.
    ____ TOTAL
  10. Parenting
    ____1. I allow my kids to play with the fan belt only while the car is idling.
    ____2. I use what is left over from washing the windows to prepare baby food – its’ really organic.
    ____3. I frequently beat the little bastards.
    ____4. I do not store loaded shotguns in the crib.
    ____5. I do not allow my child over 50 lbs. to eat
    ____ TOTAL

Range of Scores and Evaluations

Above 350 points

Above 300 points

200-299 points

100-199 points

50-99 points

25-49 points

10-24 points

0-9 points

you’ll probably live forever

add 10 years to life expectancy

add 4 years to life expectancy

have another drink

you need a vacation

you need a long rest

call the hospital

call the morgue

 

 

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