Blog 20 6th September 2016
Growing old or older……
Well today is my 50th and I guess we start examining our mortality and reflection on how we get here, or wondering what to do and what is the purpose. We all need purpose to help our self-esteem. I have met people even at my age not wanting to continue in their chosen field, that their jobs are not fulfilling any more or are sick of the bullying, not being appreciated, being over worked and under paid. The way the economy is going the bosses are wanting more, the budgets are set and there is very little wiggle room or extra funds to help get extra staff. These are all stresses that build up, realising that perhaps you’d like something else in your career. I have met a few people at my age that have given up stressful jobs for more enjoyable work. Eg, a taxi driver instead of a business analyst, a senior manager for the civil service is now a Feldenkrais practitioner and is living a far less stressful life. These stressful years can bring on aging problems like Alzheimer’s and dementia…
Things that cause inflammation in the brain are certain foods that I have covered in previous blogs, gluten, sugar, additives, or anything that is not wholesome food. Scientific American Mind (July/August 2016) has an article about Alzheimer’s and they suggest:
1, Pick your parents well: good genes, good education, a second language and music lessons. Avoid emotional neglect.
2. Engage in regular cognitive and physical activity
3. Strengthen and maintain social ties
4. Get out and explore new things
5. Chillax and be happy
6. Avoid people who are downers, especially close family members!
7. Be conscientious and diligent
8. Spend time engaged in activities that are meaningful and goal-directed
9. Be heart-healthy: what’s good for the heart is good for the brain.
10. Eat a MIND diet, with fresh fruit and vegetables and fish.
11. Be lucky….
So really it’s what has been stated time and time again, there really is no magic pill – it’s about keeping your mind and body out of stress. Yoga is a great way to help all of the body and to help the mind rest and relax. If you can fit in a little yoga – salute to the sun a few times a week or even daily, keep it simple then your body will want more. It just takes time and consistency. For example, don’t hiss bang roar into the gym then 6 weeks later it starts petering out. Try walking to begin with, or simple yoga on you tube is a really good start. Or if live close to work then cycle, using a bike as a commute it starts blood, muscles and fluids moving. If you move then the body eliminates the toxins, you’ll have bursts of energy with endorphins which are feel good hormones – we all want some of those. They start being released after 10 minutes of exercise yay. Try a little exercise and smile because data has shown “fake it til you make it” actually works. It’s all in the mind.
Growing old or older……
Well today is my 50th and I guess we start examining our mortality and reflection on how we get here, or wondering what to do and what is the purpose. We all need purpose to help our self-esteem. I have met people even at my age not wanting to continue in their chosen field, that their jobs are not fulfilling any more or are sick of the bullying, not being appreciated, being over worked and under paid. The way the economy is going the bosses are wanting more, the budgets are set and there is very little wiggle room or extra funds to help get extra staff. These are all stresses that build up, realising that perhaps you’d like something else in your career. I have met a few people at my age that have given up stressful jobs for more enjoyable work. Eg, a taxi driver instead of a business analyst, a senior manager for the civil service is now a Feldenkrais practitioner and is living a far less stressful life. These stressful years can bring on aging problems like Alzheimer’s and dementia…
Things that cause inflammation in the brain are certain foods that I have covered in previous blogs, gluten, sugar, additives, or anything that is not wholesome food. Scientific American Mind (July/August 2016) has an article about Alzheimer’s and they suggest:
1, Pick your parents well: good genes, good education, a second language and music lessons. Avoid emotional neglect.
2. Engage in regular cognitive and physical activity
3. Strengthen and maintain social ties
4. Get out and explore new things
5. Chillax and be happy
6. Avoid people who are downers, especially close family members!
7. Be conscientious and diligent
8. Spend time engaged in activities that are meaningful and goal-directed
9. Be heart-healthy: what’s good for the heart is good for the brain.
10. Eat a MIND diet, with fresh fruit and vegetables and fish.
11. Be lucky….
So really it’s what has been stated time and time again, there really is no magic pill – it’s about keeping your mind and body out of stress. Yoga is a great way to help all of the body and to help the mind rest and relax. If you can fit in a little yoga – salute to the sun a few times a week or even daily, keep it simple then your body will want more. It just takes time and consistency. For example, don’t hiss bang roar into the gym then 6 weeks later it starts petering out. Try walking to begin with, or simple yoga on you tube is a really good start. Or if live close to work then cycle, using a bike as a commute it starts blood, muscles and fluids moving. If you move then the body eliminates the toxins, you’ll have bursts of energy with endorphins which are feel good hormones – we all want some of those. They start being released after 10 minutes of exercise yay. Try a little exercise and smile because data has shown “fake it til you make it” actually works. It’s all in the mind.