Fearless Aging
In a culture that ties attractiveness and self-worth so closely to youth,
it is perfectly natural to sometimes feel stress and frustration as our health and bodies change during the aging process.
We may assume that this stage of life doesn’t have much to offer us, but that just isn't true.
Let me share what I have discovered about transitioning from one phase of life to the next!
Be sure to read to the end for a recipe to boost your immunity regardless of age!
Change Your Attitude
. . . remember, 'older' is NOT a four-letter word!
Who else remembers Patti LaBelle's New Attitude?
"I'm feeling good from my hat to my shoe
Know where I am going and I know what to do
I've tidied up my point of view
I've got a new attitude."
Know where I am going and I know what to do
I've tidied up my point of view
I've got a new attitude."
Well, that's precisely what we might need, especially if we've believed that the best part of our lives is behind out!!! The fact is: the best part of our lives is NOW!
A study by Orb Media has concluded that people with a positive attitude about getting older live longer and have better mental health!
Becca Levy, a professor of epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health, found that Americans with more positive views on aging lived 7.5 years longer than those with negative attitudes. Amazing!
Levy stresses that people can ignore cultural stereotypes and decide for themselves how they want to approach old age. And those who watch less TV and participate less on social media, have more resilient personalities and are more likely to hold more positive views of aging.
Remember, there is no expiration date on potential!
Mama Was Right
...we need to eat a well-balanced diet in order to live fearless
Did you know that heart disease is the nation's leading killer of women? Just think about it: the heart is a muscle that never rests. That sounds like most women, doesn't it? When younger, we may have been raising children, which alone is a full-time job, and others had jobs outside the home. Then there were some who did both! When was there time to rest? I guess that's why women are often referred to as the heart of the home - we keep on ticking! According to the American Heart Association, 90% of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease at some point in their lives, yet 80% of cardiovascular diseases are preventable.
One way to do that is to feed our body what it needs! We don't pump Kool-Aid into our car's gas tank because our vehicles require different fuel. The same goes for our bodies: we must feed it the highest quality nourishment and according to the American Heart Association (AHA), the Mediterranean diet is one of the best!
Go Nuts
...and help save your brain & live a fearless life
Did you know that nuts contribute to a healthier heart, stronger bones, may prevent diabetes, and adds to a longer life? They do - and they also play a part in helping us stay alert and mentally sharp as we age!
Most of us know someone whose memory isn't as good as it once was and it's easy to become fearful the same may happen to us. Let's give ourselves the advantage by eating a daily dose of nuts! Psst - they're also part of the Mediterranean Diet! Brain & Nuts study here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4105147/
Manage Your Stress
...to live a fearless life
We all experience stress. If you're alive - you have stress! And frankly, as I've gotten older, I think, at times, I may have even more! Here is a quick and easy way to help calm yourself.
You may already know the benefits of a body massage but did you know working on your own hands also has many benefits? Once you learn this simple technique, you can help calm your mind, reduce your anxiety, and empower yourself just about anywhere and anytime!
The palm of our hands a network of nerves, that oddly enough are highly affected by stress. Working on the tender areas of the hands can help calm and balance you, and at the same time help alleviate insomnia, while increasing energy levels. I know. It sounds like magic!
Look at your palm and curl your fingers inward to see the crease where the ball of your hand ends. Just below this line between the first and second fingers, use your thumb to unwind the reflex by slowly rotating in an anti-clockwise motion. Or you can place your thumb on the reflex and apply pressure. Do several times on each hand to encourage relaxation.
Really, the easiest way to do this is to just start massaging any tight or sensitive areas. Just be sure to gently massage.
You can use this technique whenever you need to. It can help switch off your brain before bed, helping you more easily fall asleep. Or to calm yourself while at a stoplight in heavy traffic. We always have our hands with us and it’s a simple and effective technique.
