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Greetings Sunny Optimists,
David and I are heading to the coast today to paddle in the sea. Being with nature is one of our aging well practices that build our immune resilience, lifts our spirits, and refreshes our minds. To be with Sun, Water, Earth, and Air is such an easy, and yet powerful, way to look after ourselves.
And so on this lovely day, I wonder,
How are you today?
Is the sap rising within you?
What are your practices that sustain your aging well?
As always, I would love to hear from you. Sending you love.
A Wellbeing Wake-up Call
A couple of years ago, I had something akin to appendicitis. For months I had this vibration in my body that was very unsettling. I remember during the 'wee small hours' wondering if my body would ever be still again. Then suddenly, the infection overran my body, and I was admitted to the hospital. It was a scary time. I was very aware of handing my well-being over to the hospital staff. They were so very young! But I was seriously ill, and I had little choice but to surrender to their care. Two things stand out for me from that experience.
When you really need our NHS, they are exceptional. I could not have had better medical care. The food not so much :)
The experience was colour and style coded. For example, the nursing staff were in different shades of blue. The doctors were in chinos, textured Oxford shirts, and no tie. The administrative staff wore dark coloured suits. The patients, like me, all seemed rather beige. It is funny how thoughts like this arise to distract you from the pain.
Since that time, I have been on a journey to set in place strategies to sustain aging well. This week, I thought I would share a couple of actions I took on my journey back to wellness and the people who helped me.
A Hitchhikers Guide to Ageing Well
As I think back over this time, I realise that finding able and dedicated advisors was crucial. Playfully, I see that they agreed to let me be a ‘hitchhiker’ on the back of their expertise. I put out my thumb, and they stopped to give me a lift. They were prepared to invest time in helping me understand the ‘why.’ I also was able to share my fears and doubts so that I was could make the changes needed. I continue to trust them to guide me to wholeness and balance. You see, I want to be around to pester my family with my ‘questions’ for a good while longer.
Food as my Friend
Because the infection was in my digestive system, I decided to pay attention to my eating first. For as long as I can remember. I have had a love-hate relationship with food, particularly sugar. I have been on sooooooo many eating plans. I can see my daughters looking at each other and rolling their eyes when the latest fad came into our kitchen. Judy talks about the blue milk she disliked so much (skimmed), and Rachel hated the yogurts with ‘bits’ in them. I thought they were healthier!
After the hospitalisation experience, I decided to learn more about nutrition and extend my cooking skills. One of my hitchhiking guides is a nutritionist called Ralph Brooks (Movement and Nutrition.) I commend him to you if you are looking to explore food as a healing and wellness option. He is also a chef and has run his own farm, hotel, deli, and bakery. He has so much insight and practical understanding that is opening the territory of food for me in a new way.. He is now teaching me to cook, which David so appreciates:)
Exercise for Seniors
I have never been much of a fan of exercising. I want it over as quickly as possible. So when I came across a four-minute cardio programme, my eyes lit up. I can do that! It is called the Zach Bush’s Nitric Oxide Release.Click here or on the photograph to watch.
David and I try to do it every day. During the lockdown, we were in a bubble with our six-year-old granddaughter Gracie. She would join in with us to do the program. At the end, the three of us always have this little dance of celebration. Yeeyyyyyyyy! More recently, Gracie has become our personal trainer. She gives Grandad and Nana corrections and tips for doing it ‘properly. Love it and love her!
I also do an online strength exercise program signposted for me by Nigel McHollan (Primal Health Coach). He is another of my hitchhiker guides. He has a unique and interesting holistic approach to wellbeing that David and I really appreciate. We attend his weekly somatic breathing class. It is relaxing and energising in equal measure. I am eternally grateful to Nigel for finally finding the root cause of my shoulder pain. Yet another commendation winging from this Sunny Optimist.
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So that is me for this week, my friends. I wonder what my musings this week on aging well mean for you?
As always, I would love to hear from you
The food fads are remembered with affection, although the apple juice (instead of milk) with cereal was the worst! ;-) you've both been an inspiration for looking at our own health and nutrition and we certainly benefit whenever there is a cupboard clearance!! Yum!! Xx
It good to read your Story which is partly my Story and Remember. We can take the learning from our Story and consciously choose the path we wish to take in the future. AND it is easy to loose focus when those addictions pull us off our path. Every time I go to the Supermarket to shop I am pulled towards the "sacred" Vanilla Ice Cream!! Sometimes my Healthy Intention wins, sometimes the Ice Cream wins.