Everyone has some type of work ethic, whether it is integrity, reliability, discipline, etc. The notion of ‘work hard, play hard’ and devoting the majority of your time to a career while your personal life is held in the balance – this is something that earlier generations devoted their whole lives to pursuing. What if you learned that you did not have to live like that, and that instead, you should embrace a belief of “wellness ethic,” which means ‘working hard for your well-being’?
“The Wellness Ethic,” written by life coach and humorist Mark Reinisch, addresses this idea. What exactly is “wellness ethic”? “It means you’re committed to wellness because you know that it improves your life and makes the world better,” Reinisch explained, adding, “When you have a wellness ethic, you thrive no matter how unpredictable the world gets.”
(Image courtesy of Seneca House Press)
Recently I received an advanced reading copy and I promptly dug into it. I even brought it with me on a recent vacation!
(Image courtesy of Real Mom of SFV)
The book addresses many clever ideas:
- Responding Perfectly to the Imperfect: Accept that your life is imperfect and reframe your expectations
- Calm Psyche, Happy Lifey: Develop a growth mindset and practice mindful engagement
- Healthy Living Tastes Great and is More Fulfilling: Preventative care and healthy eating
- Maintain Your Life Better Than Your Yard: Financial Wellness and actively manage your money
- And more!
Recently I had the opportunity to interview Mark and find out what inspired him to write “The Wellness Ethic.”
(Image courtesy of Mark Reinisch)
What inspired you to write the book?
Mark: Before “The Wellness Ethic,” I struggled with happiness. I obsessed over my perceived flaws and unfulfilled dreams. For decades, I crafted New Year’s resolutions to transform my life but always fell woefully short. Then I had an epiphany: to write a book about wellness and apply its wisdom to my life. If I could learn how to eclipse the blinding daylight between inspired living and my actual existence, I knew I could help others do the same. The more I thought about it, the more excited I became. Beyond improving my own life, and helping my readers do the same, I would also be creating a legacy for my children. Long after I was gone, they would have a book they could turn to whenever they wanted to tap into the wisdom I had accumulated over my lifetime. Writing “The Wellness Ethic” was all upside. I had to do it.
I’m a Gen Xer and grew up with the work ethic of “work hard, play hard.” What do you attribute the cultural shift to adopting a wellness ethic?
Mark: There is nothing wrong about “working hard and playing hard” provided it translates to your well-being. If your approach to life makes you happy and healthy, then you’re doing a lot of things right. But in today’s fast-paced world, many people are realizing that their well-being can’t be taken for granted; otherwise, it will erode over time. Corporations will always push for more productivity and longer work hours. AI is transforming the very nature of work. Disruption touches nearly every facet of life. That can feel overwhelming and lead to dissatisfaction and burnout. But, you have a lot more control over your life than maybe you’ve given yourself credit for. That’s where “The Wellness Ethic” comes into play. When you tend to your mind, body, and spirit, you create positive energy that lifts you up each day. When you nurture loving relationships and find meaning and joy in your personal and professional pursuits, your life comes together. You achieve harmony. You thrive. That’s what having a wellness ethic can do for you.
There’s a phrase in your book, “Respond Perfectly to the Imperfect.” Can you expand a little bit on the mindset of accepting things that one cannot control?
Mark: No one’s life is ever perfect. Everyone’s shared reality is that our lives will be filled with joy and suffering, struggle and ease, and everything in between. When you expect life to deliver both the desirable and undesirable, you are better positioned to surrender to the moment and accept your circumstances without judgment. If something unfortunate occurs, it isn’t personal. You weren’t singled out. The rational, accepting mind knows it can’t wish away the stupid stuff and only embrace the good. Both are perfect representations of the way the world works. But that mindset is liberating. When you accept that things will happen in life that you can’t control, you free your mind to focus on the two things that you always control: your attitude in the moment and your response to your circumstances. That’s how you get the most out of your life, no matter what comes your way.
What’s next for you? Any plans for a book tour or speaking engagement?
Mark: My focus right now is to help spread the word about “The Wellness Ethic.” So I’m participating in podcasts, TV and radio interviews, and looking for other ways to promote a dialogue about wellness and thriving in life. I can’t think of a more important topic, especially in today’s dynamic world. Down the road, I envision writing another book.
“The Wellness Ethic” is available now for purchase and can be found wherever books are sold. For more information, check out the website here and don’t forget to follow them on Facebook or Instagram so that you can get the latest updates!
Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. I received a complimentary book which helped facilitate this review. All images are my own unless otherwise noted. The images shown in this post are used with permission. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.
Great post! I enjoyed the interview portion especially — it’s always inspiring to hear from the authors themselves.
Jess Benoit recently posted…Top Home Organization Hacks Every Homeowner Should Know
Thanks for taking the time to read the interview!
Thank you Jess!
This sounds like a book I need to read. The interview was fantastic as well. Work ethic is so important.
Amber Myers recently posted…Must-Have Items When Traveling
Thanks for dropping by my blog and reading my book review. I agree, having a good work ethic AND wellness ethic is so important in this day and age. 🙂
Thank you, Amber! The secret to thriving in life is being committed to your well-being. Thriving at work is a part of it. But so are your relationships, your mind, body, and spirit, and your hobbies. That’s the essense of having a wellness ethic. Find the rigth balance. And it’s attainable. Just take it step by step. My book will help you with that.
This book is going on my list. I need to make some changes in my work life.
I hope you enjoy my book, Tara. The feedback I’ve received is that it can help nurture a balanced, positive perspective on the realities of life, and then guide a person to move forward to make meaningful change. You’ll also find that it’s not the typical self-help book. There’s a lot of humor and stories that make it a fun and engaging read.
Sounds like a wonderful book. I will have to check this one out. Great interview as well. Love it!
Thank you, Kathy!
I am so intrigued by the name itself, ‘Wellness Ethic’, I have to get my hands on this book. I love Mark’s approach towards wellness and life in general.
Thank you Aditi! My website (WellnessEthic.com) has more information about the wellness ethic, including a 3D-animated book launch video that you’ll enjoy.
Very interesting post and you did a great job with the interview! Sounds like I need to invest in this book soon, I know I need to make changes in my work life
Thank you LisaLisa! The book can serve as a guide to help you sort through how to get the most out of your personal and professional lives. It’s designed to make wellness accessible and actionable.
It was great to hear about the author and what inspired him to write the book. It sounds like the book looks at various aspects of wellness which is important. This sounds like a book I think I would find both interesting and useful.
Melanie E recently posted…Unlock Your Perfect Costa Rican Adventure
Thanks Melanie! The book takes a holistic approach to wellness, but it does so in a way that isn’t overwhelming. I’ve also received a lot of feedback that the humor and stories make it an engaging reading experience. I hope you enjoy it!
This book sounds so interesting, I will be adding this to my reading list. I believe that work ethic is so important in out daily lives as well.
Laura Letson recently posted…The tenth kingdom
Thanks, Laura! Having a Wellness Ethic can truly help you thrive in both your personal and professional life. And I believe that’s the best strategy–create positive energy in all aspects of your life. If you take it step by step, it’s attainable. The Wellness Ethic can help you in that journey.
I love this concept and have been focusing on the wellness ethic for the past year since I started participating in a mindfulness meditation group. I would love to read this book!
That’s awesome, Lori! I have no doubt that your mindfulness habit is creating a strong foundation in your life. A primary focus of my book is to take your foundation and continue to move forward, at a pace that works for you. So, that can mean you build healthy habits in mind, body, and spirit over time, step by step. You work on bringing more love into your relationships, more fulfillment in your personal and professional lives. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming; you just take it step by step. It’s the key to thriving in our fast-paced world.
This is a very interesting book, and everything the author says rings true. “No one’s life is ever perfect.”
Thanks, Yufi … Once we accept that imperfection is a reality of our life, it’s liberating. When life tosses a curveball, or if we struggle with something, we understand that we’re going through a part of life that everyone goes through in one form or another. Even if it seems like everything is out of our control, we still do always control two things: what we think and how we choose to respond to our reality to move our life forward. That life-affirming approach is a key to thriving.