Inspired by the Classics: Jane Austen and Health and Wellbeing

 

It's not as strange as it sounds looking to Jane Austen for health and wellbeing tips. Her books are littered with references to "health and happiness", "glowing health", "cheerful dispositions" and "blooms full of health." And her tips and tricks for a healthy and happy life aren't as wild as you might think. There is no sweating it out at a gym or counting calories. People ate as well as they could afford to, although mostly in moderation (those who were known to 'pig out' were often gently mocked or criticised). The tips I have included here will not surprise you. There are, for the most part, common sense. General regard for one's wellbeing was common and the necessary care was taken to ensure that people were able to return to their full health, if unwell. 

Take the time to recover properly

“Jane caught a bad cold, poor thing! so long ago as the 7th of November, (as I am going to read to you,) and has never been well since. A long time, is not it, for a cold to hang upon her? She never mentioned it before, because she would not alarm us. Just like her! so considerate!—But however, she is so far from well, that her kind friends the Campbells think she had better come home, and try an air that always agrees with her; and they have no doubt that three or four months at Highbury will entirely cure her—and it is certainly a great deal better that she should come here, than go to Ireland, if she is unwell. Nobody could nurse her, as we should do.”

                                                        Emma - Jane Austen

Can you imagine being able to go away to the country where loving relatives will nurse you until you have recovered from your cold; even if takes three or four months?? I certainly can't! Yet this notion of "going to the country" or "going to the seaside" is not unusual in Austen's novels, nor in many other classic novels. In fact, as recently as the twentieth century, novels published by Agatha Christie include characters that need to go "take the waters" or "visit warmer climes" for health reasons. In our more modern society,  we have been urged to "soldier on" when afflicted with a cold or flu. The drugs that promised quick and speedy recoveries, replaced real rest and recuperation. It wasn't until COVID that we were effectively forced to stop, isolate and regain health. Even the slightest sniffle meant that people had to stay at home. From all accounts, this virus does not allow anyone to "soldier on"!! It really does take time and care to get better. 

“Poor Marianne!” said her brother to Colonel Brandon, in a low voice, as soon as he could secure his attention: “She has not such good health as her sister,—she is very nervous,—she has not Elinor’s constitution;—and one must allow that there is something very trying to a young woman who has been a beauty in the loss of her personal attractions. You would not think it perhaps, but Marianne was remarkably handsome a few months ago; quite as handsome as Elinor. Now you see it is all gone.”

In Sense and Sensibility, Marianne's illness is brought on by the callous rejection of her lover, Mr Willoughby. She spends weeks in her room, refusing to eat or drink well. Indeed, when her sister Elinor finally learns the truth about the cause of Marianne's malaise, she finds Marianne "attempting to rise from the bed, and whom she reached just in time to prevent her from falling on the floor, faint and giddy from a long want of proper rest and food; for it was many days since she had any appetite, and many nights since she had really slept." 

This kind of mental and emotional stress, that wreaks havoc with restful sleep, healthy digestion and proper rest and recuperation is just as perilous and prevalent - if not more so - in our modern, western society. And I say more so, because we often do not have the "luxury" of recuperation for months on end, but are expected to be up and about, continuing on with our normal lives and meeting expectations, despite our weakened mental or physical state.  

Often we are not in a financial position to leave our work or stay at home, or with relatives when we are feeling well. And I have to wonder how many relatives would graciously look after someone for months on end due to an emotionally stressful relationship breakdown. The way our society is now, this kind of behaviour is considered more of a burden. Not to mention the added guilt that can often accompany the need to take "too many" sick days from work. It's time that we stopped the guilt and stopped feeling like a burden and actually took the time needed to recover fully from any physical or mental malaise. 

Go for a walk everyday

In his book, The Jane Austen Diet: Austen's Secrets to Food, Health and Incandescent Happiness, Brian Kozlowski talks about the mind-body connection (amongst other things; this is a very witty yet comprehensive look at the notion of "health" and "happiness" in Jane Austen's world). 

    As integral as food or exercise, thoughts and feelings were potent things to Jane, healing or having our bodies depending on how carefully we manage our minds.

In Sense and Sensibility, the Dashwood girls are often out traipsing through the countryside, walking everywhere to not only get exercise but to clear the mind. In Pride and Prejudice, the Bennetts live "within a short walk" from their dear friends the Lucas'. The girls are often out walking either to visit or to run errands. Not many of us live near rolling green hillside, or a picturesque village for our daily constitutional, but this is still a very do-able idea. Walking everyday is one of the best forms of mental and physical exercise we can do. It's free and easy and the best part is, we can control how much we do, and when we do it. Are you an early morning riser? Then why not walk to catch the sun rise? If you work all day, there is nothing more refreshing than an evening stroll to clear away the stress of the day. Even walking at night, if you live in a safe neighbourhood, can be a lovely experience, especially if you can see the stars! The women of Jane Austen walk during all sorts of weather. We see Emma and her friend Harriet out for a brisk walk in the snow. So, why not rug up and go for a walk?

Be mindful of our attitudes

Mrs Smith, Anne's close friend in Persuasion is a wonderful example of this. She was always regarded as being "cheerful...neither sickness nor sorrow seemed to have closed her heart or ruined her spirits." By the end of the novel we see Mrs Smith's health remarkably improved, this improvement even attributed to her positive disposition. 

There is very little that we have control over in this world. But our attitude, and how we choose to respond to things is definitely one of those areas that we could - and should - exert more control. I know that I am a very reactionary person, and this is something that I want to control. I want to be gentle and steady in my temper and mood, with a joyful disposition. I don't want to react to every little thing, but remain positive and an inspiration to others. I have a long way to go to achieving this goal, let me assure you! But, getting my emotions under control and being mindful of my attitude is definitely something that I am working on. I also love the character Elinor Dashwood for this reason. She is the "sense" in Sense and Sensibility, and she works so hard to be in control of her attitude and emotions, perhaps almost to a fault. But she is by far the less reactionary of the two sister, and I wonder what lesson Austen wanted us to take away from these two distinctly different sisters. Please share your thoughts on this in the comments. 

Keep a garden

Yes, I may talk about this a lot on the blog, but it is such a timeless, classic thing to do! In Sense and Sensibility the Dashwoods leave their beloved home, Norland Park and its prolific garden and orchards. They subsequently move into a smalleBarton Cottage, belonging a relative, Sir John Middleton. Upon their arrival, Sir John visited and offered a very generous and sincere welcome. 

His kindness was not confined to words; for within an hour after he left them, a large basket full of garden stuff and fruit arrived from the park, which was followed before the end of the day by a present of game.       

Tours of kitchen gardens appear in Sense and Sensibility and Northanger Abbey. In Pride and Prejudice even Lizzie is appreciative of the fresh produce grown at Darcy's country estate, Pemberley. We've talked here on the blog about having a garden as a source of self-sufficiency, to beat rising grocery prices and to aid good health. All of these things were around during Jane Austen's Regency Period. It definitely is a classic idea that is still worth its salt today. Consider growing a garden if you don't have one. Start small, perhaps some herbs. Grow only things that you and your family enjoying eating. Grow flower to attract the bees and to bring some beauty into your garden. This also saves money on buying flowers from the supermarket. I love the fresh roses that grow in our garden in summer, the freesias in spring, the marigolds and dahlias in late autumn and early winter. Even the smallest of homes can grow something in pots indoors or on small balconies. Think of the little balconies in Paris and Italy that are adorned by bright flowers, often geraniums. A kitchen garden full of produce or a flower garden to bring joy, is definitely something that Jane Austen would approve of!

He listened with all due deference; acknowledged that he had heard many people say the same—but yet he must confess, that to him nothing could make amends for the want of the fine glow of health. Where features were indifferent, a fine complexion gave beauty to them all; and where they were good, the effect was—fortunately he need not attempt to describe what the effect was.

Emma ~ Sense and Sensibility 

The glow of health is definitely something I think we all aspire to. So let's take some easy advice from Jane Austen and get out walking, into the garden, resting when we need to, and being mindful of our attitudes. There is so much more that we can say on this topic, and I highly recommend that you read Brian Kozowski's book if you would like to know more. Or else, read Jane Austen (all of her books are available online for free at Project Gutenberg) and enjoy the inspiration from the Mistress herself!

I hope you all have a happy and healthy day,

Kirsty x