It’s Been Awhile
A lot has happened since my last posting. The photo to the left is from Burning Man. As soon as I returned, my mom had to go into the hospital. I had to prioritize and fit a bit more into my schedule. Spending time with my mom means a lot to me now. Visiting a care home most days and seeing the compassionate attention paid to my mom and others is uplifting. It reminds me to be grateful for healthy body and mind that can make plans, keep learning and enjoy every day.
Following the Cycles of Nature
Honor the cycles of the moon as it transitions from newness to fullness, become aware of how this cycle deeply affects you physically and emotionally. Our bodies are mostly water. Just as the lunar phases change the tides, you can fee changes happening inside you.
When you tune in to the phases of the moon, you may notice that during certain times your creativity and activities are better supported. We are all unique beings and your cycles may be different from anyone else’s. Be open to discovery as you explore how the phases of the moon support your needs.
The new moon is a time of beginnings. It is a time to experience rebirth and begin working on new endeavors such as welcoming a new relationship, starting a new project or job. The full moon is a powerful time to perform ceremonies and healing work. This is when the moon’s energy is strongest. There is an abundance of power. Ask for blessings in starting new projects or facing life transitions. Each day, you can offer simple ceremonies to express gratitude and respect for the land where you live; all living beings, the elements of earth, air, water, and fire, and your own life. Excerpt from article by Sandra Ingerman, Yoga Journal, Nov. 2018
Reverse Aging on a Cellular Level
No, it’s not a magic pill. Keep reading-it’s just exercise. 10 minutes every other day could reverse aging on a cellular level according to scientists and doctors. They are calling it a breakthrough in fitness approaches. It is called high-intensity interval training, or HIIT. In other words, It is brief bursts of very intense exercise followed by periods of slower, less-demanding work. Studies are showing that HITT is and effective way for older people to build muscle, regulate insulin, cut fat and increase heart function. And for people just starting HITT, it may take as little as one minute of hard work three times a week to see marked improvements. The most exciting part of this is that it seems to turn back the clock on a cellular level. Improved function of mitochondria (the battery cells of the body). The older you are, the greater the impact.
Here is a sample of a beginner 10-minute workout
Warm up with your preferred mode of aerobic exercise for 3 minutes, at a pace at which you can speak in full sentences. Then pick up the pace for 20 seconds, working hard enough that you are too winded to speak. Slow it down to your original pace for 1 to 2 minutes. Add another 20-second effort, rest 2 minutes and then add a last 20-second effort. Cool down for 2 minutes at your original pace.
Spurred in part by the crushing opioid epidemic, the Department of Defense and other federal agencies have been spearheading efforts to manage and mitigate pain and mental health problems among active service members. Yoga, as it turns out, is one of the rising starts. While those in the trenches say there is a long way to go before yoga can be broadly and systemically deployed within the military, the foundation is being laid for using asana, meditation, and other holistic therapies to make military personnel more resilient.
In 2017, a study by the journal American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine examined the practicality and effectiveness of an individualized Yoga program. Dubbed RESTORE (Restorative Exercise and Strength Training for Operational Resilience and Excellence) Focusing on a series of poses for strengthening, flexibility, and postural alignments with emphasis on the low back and core. They included breathwork and meditation. During the study, the control group and those practicing their Yoga sequences twice a week, continued their routine of care and medication. The Yoga group experienced restored function and improved pain and symptom relief more quickly. Focusing on whole-body wellness can be the first step toward preventive care and treatment before drug use becomes an issue.
Good Health is Not Rocket Science
We usually have an idea about what things are good for us and what things are bad for us. Watching ads for pharmaceutical products would seem to scare anyone straight if they took pills due to over indulging. Still cigarettes and antacid tablets still fly of the drugstore shelves. Being better to our bodies usually pays us back by complaining less and giving us more energy. Many of us were raised with the notion that sweets and fattening foods were a reward. It takes some reflection to see that advertising plays a big role in many of our life choices.
Mangos Fight Wrinkles
A recent study by UC Davis researchers in the dermi]atology and nutrition departments is testing the effect a mango-rich diet has on facial wrinkles and redness in postmenopausal women ages 50 to 70. It’s the next step after a Korea Institute of Oriental Medicin study found hairless mice that ate ango extract had less skin damage from sun exposure than their control groupl. Mango extract appeared to block typical UV-B symptoms,includng wrinkles, thickening skin and loss of collagen fiber in the mice, the study concluded.
A study is currently being done on 40 women. Participants must eat their mangoes four times per week for 16 weeks and meet UC Davis scientists at the research center fie times during that period for facial photograhs as well as blood and skin samples. The subjects ha & M Universityve ivory, pale and fair skin types. They are restricted from using any medication or skin care product besides sunscreen and moisturizer. Mango is now considered a superfood. A recent study from Texas A & M University indicated that eating magoes consistently could combat gut issues such as chronic constipation and mild-to-moderate inflamatory bowel disease.
Taken from Sacramento Bee article, Oct. 21, 2018 by Benjy Egel
Relief for Eyestrain
Follow the 20/20/20 rule to prevent computer-related eyestrain. The simple rule to follow suggests that for every 20 minutes looking at a screen, any screen, you should take a 20-second beak and focus on an object 20 feet away. Gazing into the distance allows your eyes a chance to refocus but even closing your eyes for 20 seconds every 20 minutes can help. Symptoms of digital eyestrain include headaches, eye discomfort, blurred vision, dry eyes and neck and shoulder pain.
Try setting an alarm to remind yourself to take a break every 20 minutes or get in the habit of walking around at regular intervals to ease both your body and your eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, people normally blink around 15 times a minute, but studies have shown that number goes down by a third or even a half when you’re looking at a digital screen. Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Optometric Association.
On A Serious Note
The news about climate change is frightening. We must all raise this issue to the level that it needs to be at. It takes up little time on the evening news but should be the top concern. Coal mines are expanding around the world. A study funded by Exxon, hid the results of dire consequences oil companies contribute to our planet. Pollution of our fresh water and oceans is destroying birds, animals and sea life. I just read an article in the Sacramento Bee that a whale was found dead with over 1000 separate pieces of plastic in its body. Try to purchase less plastic when possible. Look for an alternative. At the very least, recycling what we can. I watched a news segment about the huge amount of damage and waste that plastic straws pose. That was a few short months ago. Already, big corporations like McDonald’s and Starbucks have vowed to reduce their usage.
It is time to get involved any way possible. We need to take responsibility for letting elected officials know our urgency to move forward to solutions. It will take a lot of people doing little things to make big changes. From composting and recycling to adding solar or a drought resistant yard. We need to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels quickly. The U.S. demand for oil has been down. We need to keep moving in this direction. Freedom from purchasing middle eastern oil is a good idea. GM has just announced they are closing 5 auto plants in the U.S. They say the trend is toward SUVs and full-size trucks. They are closing the plant that makes their electric car, the Chevy Volt. Consumers need to change their thinking. We are in a supply and demand economy. There was a time that folks were shamed out of driving Hummers.
Our country seems to be heading in the wrong direction as far as wind and solar power goes. Sadly, the number of wind farms has been drastically cut back. California used to be number one in the U. S. Texas now has that position and California is number four in wind power. Solar plants have also been curtailed. These industries have clean jobs which should be expanded right now.
This subject is not a fun conversation to have. We can share the message of positive changes. We have the technology and the ability to save our planet from a future that we don’t want to talk about.
If you only do things you’re good at, you never grow. John Cena
