Many years ago I saw an interesting chart about life changes and the impact that the stress related to those changes could have on your health. The topics included things like marriage, divorce, retirement, death of a spouse or close friend, high mortgages, a change in residence, schools, a new occupation, and so on.
Long story short, my wife, Halla, and I live a very robust, full and active life. We have moved a lot—lived in Iceland, Denmark, England and the USA, have changed our jobs, schools, had kids, started businesses, have had high mortgages, and much more. According to the chart, each life change has a certain score, and if you reach a very high score, you put a tremendous stress on your body and chances are you will become ill in the near future unless you employ some counter measures. You see, the body is a very finely timed instrument that prefers a routine, and doesn‘t like changes or surprises. Any sudden change can cause needless stress, throwing your entire physical being into turmoil.
"I hope you enjoy the ride, have fun and remember to collect as many "tools and practices" along the way as possible to help you prepare and be ready for that big change."
In my previous blog posts I have talked about the importance of being holistic in your approach when it comes to health and wellbeing by pointing out the importance of things like quality sleep, good nutrition, exercise and mindfulness. Focusing on these things helps to counterbalance the negative, stress-inducing occurrences, so that you can live a more balanced life.
Six years ago to the month, my family and I moved from Iceland to the US with our two kids and our dog. Our kids attended new schools, both in high school, my wife started a new job, I became an entrepreneur and started just bjorn, and we moved into a new apartment in New York City. Then came Covid, a new house, a big mortgage, the kids went on to college, and most recently our beloved dog Moli passed away. I don‘t know if this scenario is normal or not, but if we had been hooked up to a stress monitor, it would probably have been off the charts. But, during that time, we were able to meet all of these life changes with humility, by being resourceful, and most importantly through communication and togetherness. It is easier and better to deal with stress together.
And now we‘re experiencing what is probably the biggest change of all. On June 1st, my wife was elected the 7th President of Iceland. After deciding to run for president, we moved back to Iceland and spent 3 ½ months campaigning. Election night, June 1st, was magical, sureal, and I could fill many pages explaining what happened that day and during the days to follow, after the elections. But not now...maybe someday.
Inauguration was August 1st, and I am so proud of my wife, but I am yet to fully understand how the fact she is now president will effect us as a couple, and as a family. We are still in the early days, but through the years we have collected tools and practices that we intend to use to continue to remain as happy, healthy and as stress-free as possible. My wife's new role is life changing for her but also for me. It is still too rare to see women leading nations and I am convinced the world will be a better place with more women in leadership. As the first, first gentleman of Iceland, I know I can be a positive role model by supporting a strong, independent and influential woman who will impact the world. I can demonstrate what healthy masculinity looks like by using my voice and ways to show full support while also pursuing my own purpose with passion. That is personal growth, and that positive growth is very important when you are fighting stress due to life changes.
None of us know what will happen tomorrow. Your spouse might become president. But until that happens, I hope you enjoy the ride, have fun and remember to collect as many "tools and practices" along the way as possible to help you prepare and be ready for that big change.
