Mary Ann
Eat Your Ice Cream is the best advice at any time, and it is an especially good title for Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD’s new book about six simple rules for a long and healthy life. You know Dr. Emanuel from his many times on TV during the Covid pandemic. He is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania where he uses his expert background as a bioethicist, health policy expert, and oncologist to teach.
From his credentials, you would think the text would read like a medical book. To the contrary, his writing style is a breezy, conversational approach to writing about serious topics. Dr. Emanuel has a sense of humor, and he gives a precise and concise narrative about what not to do, social relations, mental acuity, healthy eating, exercising, and sleep. He weaves scientific research into the narrative and gives simple ways to incorporate this advice into your life. He is not telling you to be perfect and that you must sacrifice to live well. Remember, Emanuel is telling you to eat your ice cream.
In the book’s introduction, Dr. Emmauel addresses how to establish a new routine – plan, identify the triggers, create social support, and reward yourself. You want to go from initiating a habit to practicing with repetition to making it a routine wellness practice. This can become a blueprint for changing your life. In many ways the information is not new. We all know that good sleep is necessary, eating well and exercising are foundational for good health, and our social connections give life meaning. However, we need direction to actually make changes.
Eat Your Ice Cream was an enjoyable read and was a book selection from Lisa and my non-fiction book club. It is a favorite and is probably the best book we have come across on wellness. The book was not long and was an easy read. You will learn a few Yiddish words and relate to Emanuel’s childhood when the country had a more definitive set of common values.
I think most of us don’t want to live forever. What we do want is to have a quality life for the time we are on earth. This little book will help you to incorporate habits and routines to make that easier. Emanuel says some hard truths based on science that we all need to hear, and he says it clearly and with humor. It is up to each of us to take the first steps to improve our lives. Let Emanuel be your guide on your wellness journey!
