Raise you right hand and repeat after me…. I hereby solemnly swear that I refuse to age gracefully. I wholeheartedly believe that age related cognitive decline is a myth.
True or not, why choose otherwise? There is no upside.
It is true there are physiological age-related changes. Heart function diminishes (cardiac output decreases, blood pressure increases), lung function diminishes (impaired gas exchange, decreased vital capacity), kidney and liver function decrease, gut motility and digestion are altered, muscle mass and bone mass decrease, our skin thins, our joints seize and of course, there is cognitive decline.
Should we just watch and worry, cross our fingers and hope the great fly swatter of life misses us for a few more decades? Can we fight physiology any more than we can fight the impact of gravity?
I prefer to think of it as working with physiology rather than fighting against it. When you start to care for your body by listening carefully as it silently screams information, and you tell your brilliant mind what to think – change is possible.
- Find a form of exercise that you love. Break a sweat daily with a friend. Move more than you sit.
- Don’t smoke. Limit alcohol (better yet, don’t drink alcohol at all.)
- Explore a way of eating that suits you best. Love and listen to your gut. It speaks volumes every meal!
- Drink plenty of water.
- Actively reduce stressors in your life.
- Actively pursue restful sleep – seven to nine hours every day.
This is nothing new. These recommendations are all over the web.
What is scarce on the web is information on changing your brain chatter. Negate the self-reprimands. Why not embrace Dr. Joe Dispenza’s hypothesis that our thoughts can heal?
Our thoughts can certainly make us miserable. So, it absolutely possible that our thoughts can make us well.
Choose your thoughts carefully. Refuse to age gracefully! Now there is a thought to adopt.
Buff it up, my friends
Dr Karen
Are you ready to Buff Up Your Brain? Ready to, lose weight, increase your mental clarity and polish up your thoughts? Let’s chat.
Email: DrKaren@karenbackwaymd.com
