‘Waddling to Wellbeing’: What Wellbeing Lessons Can Penguins Teach Us?

During some late-summer down time this August, I found myself re-watching a much loved documentary ‘March of the Penguins’ directed by Luc Jacquet. Anybody who knows me will know that I am a big fan of these flightless birds, not only for their dapper tuxedo style, but also for their endearing mannerisms, and gentle playful nature.

Like many others, my curiosity about this species was inspired almost 20 years ago, after the release of this spellbinding documentary.

As I re-watched this endearing and enthralling penguin tale, it occurred to me that penguins can really teach us some great lessons about our own wellbeing.

Keeping company

Penguins are social creatures, known for their tendency to hang out in groups, often living, swimming, and feeding together. As well as keeping each other company, this also helps them to defend against unexpected dangers. Some penguins are also known for mating for life. They develop unique calling sounds that only their chosen mate will recognise, as a way to find each other, even in a large crowd.

When it comes to us humans, social connection is also recognised as an important part of maintaining our wellbeing. The opportunity to have a chat, and get out and about, can help to lift our mood, take our minds off our worries for a little while, and hopefully give us the opportunity to share some of our worries with someone we trust if we need to. As the saying goes - a problem shared is a problem halved.

Why not take a leaf out of the penguin’s book and make a plan for some social interaction this month. It can feel difficult after a busy week to find the energy to be social, but often when we do, even if it just means going for a short walk or popping into a neighbour for a cup of tea, we can feel all the better for it.

Replenishing our reserves

Penguins are hardworking, determined creatures. They can walk for miles in search of food, and can stand for hours protecting their eggs in unimaginable cold. That being said, they also know when to take it a little easier, conserving their energy for a time when they will need it most.

One of the ways they do this is to slide on their bellies, helping to give their feet a rest. This energy saving routine is known as tobogganing. This is aided by their smooth curved bellies which act as toboggans’ do for us, allowing them to slide quickly and efficiently over the ice.

While it might not be tobogganing season for us just yet, it can be important for us to check in with our own energy levels, and to notice when we need to take breaks. This can easily be forgotten during a busy work or school day, but taking regular breaks can help us to recognise if we are running on empty, and need to replenish our energy reserves.

Adapting to change

Perhaps one of the most recognisable features about many penguins is their black and white colouring, a feature adapted over time as a way to protect them against predators. As penguins spend much of their time swimming in the sea for fish, their black backs make it difficult for overhead predators to see them, while their white bellies help to camouflage them against the sun reflected water.

The ability to adapt is often recognised as a tool to manage stress, and support wellbeing.
Being adaptable can enable us to respond to changes more easily, without getting too fixated on how things ‘should’ be, something that can be the cause of stress and overwhelm.

Taking another leaf out of the penguin’s book, it can help to remember that we too can adapt if we need to, and might even feel the better for it. Although change is not always easy, if we can find ways to adjust, in our own time, we can often find benefits for our wellbeing.

A final thought...

Like so many facets of nature, there are always lessons we can learn for our wellbeing.
Penguins in particular can help us to remember how to live with wellbeing in mind. And for anyone who is wondering about the title of this month’s article, a group of penguins is known as a ‘Waddle.’ You learn something new every day!

Emma Coonan is an Accredited Psychotherapist with IAHIP and ICP, Lectures in Psychotherapy, and is a qualified Adult Education Trainer. After leaving Coláiste Phobal Roscrea, Emma studied English and Media in Maynooth University, before combining her Psychotherapy training with experience in the corporate world. Emma focuses on applying Psychotherapy practices for everyday living, through developing resilience, stress response, and mindfulness practice.