Some of what I am Learning

Okay, so I have not checked in for a bit, quite frankly I have had nothing of any great intelligence to relate to you my dear reader.  So what have I been up to?  I have been taking care of myself, or learning to take care of myself.  I thought that today, I will pass on a few of the things that I have been learning.  So here goes 🙂

Exercise:  Yes, us retired folks need to exercise a bit, I have 2 links for you, the first is called 23 ½ hours and it explains the benefits of walking for ½ hours per day.  (about 10 minutes)

23 and 1/2 hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health? – YouTube

And for exercise, may I suggest:

20 Minute Dance Workout for Seniors | SilverSneakers – YouTube

Standing Band Workout for Seniors, Beginner Exercisers – YouTube

Yoga for Arthritis : Chair Yoga for Improved Mobility : Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center – YouTube

May favorite Tai Chi:

Daily TaiChi with Don Fiore – 20 min – YouTube

If you are not as mobile, Tai Chi from a chair:

Gentle Tai Chi and Qi Gong – 25 minutes – YouTube

Diet:  okay so we all can use a bit of healthy eating in our lives.  No longer at the office, no morning muffin, bacon n egger, energy bars, sandwich… you get the picture.  This video is by the same fellow as the one above.  So what is the Best Diet? (about 15 minutes)

What’s the Best Diet? Healthy Eating 101 – YouTube

Ballance:  Okay, this is one of those things most of us take for granted, we have natural balance.  So how long can you stand on one foot?  Maybe you are well balanced, if not, I have a video for you.  (30 minute Balance video)

NEW! OTAGO-based Falls Prevention Exercise Program – YouTube

Being Mindful:  So what does that mean anyway.  Apparently as we progress in our retiring ways, we can become more anxious, more worried about problems we cannot solve.  This takes energy and plays with our minds, and this is not good.  Becoming mindful is a way for us to help fight depression, anxiety and loneliness.  What can we do to be more mindful?  

• Stop watching the news all the time
• Learn some basic breathing exercises (helps with anxiety)
• Do some form or regular exercise (anxiety and gets you out of the house)
• Meditate, not medicate.

There’s a lot that is possible when combatting depression and anxiety, take up a hobby, do a search on the web and find something.  Please watch this video that Ian made about himself dealing with PTSD.

Socialization:  This is a big one, if you don’t keep up your socialization skills, Alzheimers is 2 X as likely to become a problem for you.  I don’t have a good video for this one, all I can really suggest is for you to get out of the house, go have a coffee somewhere, go to a lecture or some kind of public speech that interests you. Take a trip to visit old friends, volunteer to be some sort of contact person, gallery guide or some kind of local genius.  Get a cat or dog to speak with and care for.  A bird is good too.  Don’t be alone, fake it til you make it.  Be careful to make friends and not take hostages.  Most of all, get out of the house! 

Don’t forget, if they are young and attractive…ah, you know all that!

Bounceback (bouncebackbc.ca)