Decisions

A battle rages within each of us. A conflict that begins when we are old enough to make choices and continues to our last breath. We are born with a free will. This makes us venerable to desires, cravings and fears. We are at the mercy of comfort’s call and the path of least resistance. The weapons we possess to fight back; self respect, our personal values and the strength of our will.

We make decisions from our first waking moment. Some people will begin each day with the determination to do the best they can. Others will give in to temptations and lower, ever further, their sense of worth. The value systems we have been designing all our lives determines which decisions will be made. We all know people that are always late, punctuality is not a value for them. People who cheat on the ones they pledged loyalty to, don’t value the commitments they make. There are values that have stood the test of time and proven worth acquiring. Accepting responsibility for their own actions is a value many successful people share.

Some of the hardest battles are fought by those who have made the decision to turn their lives around. Years of neglecting mind and body have taken a toll. They might be in poor health, with low self esteem and a future that promises more of the same. But taking responsibility will lift the fog and a better path will appear. Understanding that the situation, they find themselves in, is a direct result of choices made, is the first step toward positive changes. When people realize their value and can take control of their decisions, healing can begin.

Life style changes will gain momentum as making good decisions start showing positive results. Going to bed at a reasonable hour, instead of falling asleep in front of the TV, becomes easier when we lie down at the end of the day tired from accomplishment. Choosing healthy food is not so hard when we learn to value the body that the food will nourish. Exercise comes naturally when we are happy with our life and want to prolong it as long as possible. As more battles are won, not only will our self respect increase, but we will earn the respect of others as well. Once better choices are made, everything will change.

The conflict is never ending, but each win makes us stronger. We must always keep the fact that we are worth the effort foremost in our mind. The reward for making good decisions is a life of health and wellness. Strong self respect empowers us to want to choose the better paths.

It's not just a step, it's a start.

Dave

Staying Sharp Throughout Our Senior Years

Conventional wisdom would have us believe that once we hit retirement age, our health, physical fitness and mental abilities will quickly decline. Long term research done at Cambridge University suggests otherwise. Their studies indicate five activities helping to slow the aging process. The most feared aspects of aging, physical decline, along with memory loss, are somewhat preventable.

Getting physically fit and staying active during the senior years. My recommendation is a regular exercise program of moderate activity, for a minimum of thirty minutes, done three to five times a week. Much of the research on senior health, mirrors this advice. Any activity is acceptable, including such tasks as housework, gardening and shopping. The point is to get up off the couch and move enough to elevate our heart rate out of the resting stage.

Focus on healthy eating. The University's suggestion was a Mediterranean style diet, consisting mainly of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish and poultry. Such a diet reduces the risks of cognitive, as well as, physical decline in the senior years. The research is ongoing, but indications are those eating a diet low in saturated fats and refined carbohydrates have a lower risk of advancing from mild cognitive impairment, memory loss, to Alzheimer's disease or Dementia.

Keep challenging ourselves mentally. The journal of Phychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services published a review of studies in 2010 suggesting mental activities, such as playing card games and working crossword puzzles, were not the best way to stay mentally sharp. Learning new things and reading were more challenging. “Have an open mind and try to learn something new everyday”.

Have an active imagination. Frequently spend some time imagining and planning a future event. The more detailed the plan, the better, since having a lack of imagination has been linked to memory loss. Even something as casual as a trip to the park with a grandchild can be imagined and planned in detail as a mental exercise.

Finally, we should embrace our age. Own it. California's Davis School of Gerontology found that a positive outlook on aging is our best defense against the negative stereotype of the aging process. Their advice, stop worrying and live life to the fullest.

It's not just a step, it's a start.

Dave