The Ten Silver Bullets That Prevent Aging
Secrets of Healthy Aging. How to Live to be 100/
Paschal and Janette Baute, Draft 4.0 October 2008
You already know some of these, but some you may not know. Most of these are supported by medical and health research. Yes, we now know ways that life can be prolonged. The first is the absence of bad habits, such as smoking, excessive sue of alcohol and drugs, (and we can say, anything to excess, including good food.) Research now exists to measure effect of health habits. For example, flossing is estimated to increase your longevity one year. We should eat smaller amounts at meals, and probably five smaller meals rathet than three large ones. We in this country tend to eat large portions, and larger than we need. Notice the waist lines at the supermarket.
You probably already know that a Mediterranean diet, low meat, high fish, vegetables, nuts, and fruits is conducive to living long. The best record in the world is held by Okinawans who have more centenarians than any county. That is not only their diet, but they tend to eat less, never to satiation. Are we headed toward a health crisis in this country? We already have one.
Regular exercise for heart, lungs, muscles is essential. A healthy heart is a healthy body and immune system. Probably few of us get enough exercise since our life styles have become more sedentary. Even young children exercise less because TV is used as a baby sitter. The younger generation does not play outside as did previous generations of children. Recent evidence is that life style for kids affects learning.
The next five Health Habits have to do with 1) faith, 2) love,3) relationships and connection. Those who live with a strong faith, no matter whether it is Christian, Hebrew or Muslim, live longer and have healthier immune systems. Fascinatingly, faith seems to be an evolutionary adaptation. Those who discover it, accept and embrace it, are stronger and have more resistance to stress.
It is healthier to be in a committed relationship. Monogamy is also an evolutionary adaptation. Those who work it out, the enormous challenges today in marital stability are better off, health-wise. The practice, habit or attitude of loving service seems also to be a longevity factor.
Diet, exercise, faith, commitment in a love relationship, and loving service: Five factors. We know that any active mind leads to a healthy body. Laughter and a sense of humor are also factors. There needs to be a place in life where one has a sense of play, fun, humor and laugher. Keep looking for ways to laugh at the human condition and at yourself. You will live longer.
Still other healthy habits exist. Few persons reach adulthood without setbacks and hurts, some loss and even tragedy. We have research to prove that those who face the negative energy of their past either with the “talking curew,” or who write and journal about it, are healthier –actually have healthier immune systems and deal better with stress. The regular practice of mediation is also a health factor in reducing the effects of stress. The last health factor can be combined into one. We need ways of living more fully in the present moment. This can be gardening, hiking, biking, swimming, skiing, or any activity that forces you to pay attention right now to your environment. TV does not count.
If there is a theme emerging after the physical aspects of diet, exercise and the absense of known bad health habits, it is eimply the power of love to heal and transform and add meaning to live. The mystics inall Wisdom traditions were right. I believe it is also important to risk oneself, to expose your vulnerability. That can be some kind of risk sport, or hobby. But if one is risking oneself in loving service, some volunteer community activity, social service, prison ministry, storytelling to children, this can stretch your mind and your heart regularly. You must get out of your box, stretch your envelope. No pain, no gain; No guts, no glory; no balls, no blue chips. Stretching yourself regularly to do more of something is a health factor.
Silver bullets to retard the aging process: was that seven or eight? You might add one of your own. Keeping an active mind and heart is certainly critical. We have friends who are avid bridge players, or who love cross word puzzles.
We called out children together about ten years ago as we were entering our seventies. We have some good news and bad news, so what do you want first. They hesitated. So we said., We will start with the bad news. We are going to spend your inheritance on downhill skiing. Don’t count on anything. What is the good news? Well downhill skiing, particularly the way your Mom and Dad do it is a risk sport. So we may go sooner than later. Amen.
Ten years later, although we live in Kentucky, we still ski weekly from December to March. Winter is or u favorite season. Carpe Diem. Noblesse Oblige.
--
Posted By Paschal Baute to 1. PaschalBaute.com at 10/05/2008 06:12:00 AM
Secrets of Healthy Aging. How to Live to be 100/
Paschal and Janette Baute, Draft 4.0 October 2008
You already know some of these, but some you may not know. Most of these are supported by medical and health research. Yes, we now know ways that life can be prolonged. The first is the absence of bad habits, such as smoking, excessive sue of alcohol and drugs, (and we can say, anything to excess, including good food.) Research now exists to measure effect of health habits. For example, flossing is estimated to increase your longevity one year. We should eat smaller amounts at meals, and probably five smaller meals rathet than three large ones. We in this country tend to eat large portions, and larger than we need. Notice the waist lines at the supermarket.
You probably already know that a Mediterranean diet, low meat, high fish, vegetables, nuts, and fruits is conducive to living long. The best record in the world is held by Okinawans who have more centenarians than any county. That is not only their diet, but they tend to eat less, never to satiation. Are we headed toward a health crisis in this country? We already have one.
Regular exercise for heart, lungs, muscles is essential. A healthy heart is a healthy body and immune system. Probably few of us get enough exercise since our life styles have become more sedentary. Even young children exercise less because TV is used as a baby sitter. The younger generation does not play outside as did previous generations of children. Recent evidence is that life style for kids affects learning.
The next five Health Habits have to do with 1) faith, 2) love,3) relationships and connection. Those who live with a strong faith, no matter whether it is Christian, Hebrew or Muslim, live longer and have healthier immune systems. Fascinatingly, faith seems to be an evolutionary adaptation. Those who discover it, accept and embrace it, are stronger and have more resistance to stress.
It is healthier to be in a committed relationship. Monogamy is also an evolutionary adaptation. Those who work it out, the enormous challenges today in marital stability are better off, health-wise. The practice, habit or attitude of loving service seems also to be a longevity factor.
Diet, exercise, faith, commitment in a love relationship, and loving service: Five factors. We know that any active mind leads to a healthy body. Laughter and a sense of humor are also factors. There needs to be a place in life where one has a sense of play, fun, humor and laugher. Keep looking for ways to laugh at the human condition and at yourself. You will live longer.
Still other healthy habits exist. Few persons reach adulthood without setbacks and hurts, some loss and even tragedy. We have research to prove that those who face the negative energy of their past either with the “talking curew,” or who write and journal about it, are healthier –actually have healthier immune systems and deal better with stress. The regular practice of mediation is also a health factor in reducing the effects of stress. The last health factor can be combined into one. We need ways of living more fully in the present moment. This can be gardening, hiking, biking, swimming, skiing, or any activity that forces you to pay attention right now to your environment. TV does not count.
If there is a theme emerging after the physical aspects of diet, exercise and the absense of known bad health habits, it is eimply the power of love to heal and transform and add meaning to live. The mystics inall Wisdom traditions were right. I believe it is also important to risk oneself, to expose your vulnerability. That can be some kind of risk sport, or hobby. But if one is risking oneself in loving service, some volunteer community activity, social service, prison ministry, storytelling to children, this can stretch your mind and your heart regularly. You must get out of your box, stretch your envelope. No pain, no gain; No guts, no glory; no balls, no blue chips. Stretching yourself regularly to do more of something is a health factor.
Silver bullets to retard the aging process: was that seven or eight? You might add one of your own. Keeping an active mind and heart is certainly critical. We have friends who are avid bridge players, or who love cross word puzzles.
We called out children together about ten years ago as we were entering our seventies. We have some good news and bad news, so what do you want first. They hesitated. So we said., We will start with the bad news. We are going to spend your inheritance on downhill skiing. Don’t count on anything. What is the good news? Well downhill skiing, particularly the way your Mom and Dad do it is a risk sport. So we may go sooner than later. Amen.
Ten years later, although we live in Kentucky, we still ski weekly from December to March. Winter is or u favorite season. Carpe Diem. Noblesse Oblige.
--
Posted By Paschal Baute to 1. PaschalBaute.com at 10/05/2008 06:12:00 AM
posted by Paschal Baute | 1:05 PM
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