Seven Silver Bullets That Prevent Aging
The Seven Silver Bullets That Prevent Aging
Paschal and Janette Baute, October 2008
You already know some of these, but some you may not know. Most of these are supported my medical and health research. Yes, we now know ways that life can be prolonged.
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, Do not notice the waist lines at the supermarket or mall.
Regular exercise for heart, lungs, muscles is essential. Probably few of us get enough since our life styles have become sedentary, even young children because TV is used as a baby sitter and kids today do not get outside and play. Recent evidence is that life style for kids affects learning.
The other five Silver Bullets have to do with faith, love, 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 marriage, and loving service: Five factors. Are there more? I want to suggest two more: There needs to be a place in life where one has a sense of play, fun, humor and laugher. We know that laughter is a factor in health and longevity. Keep looking for ways to laugh at the human condition and at yourself. You will live longer.
The last health factor can be combined into one. We need ways of living 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.
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 friend 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. Carpe Diem. Noblesse Oblige.
Paschal and Janette Baute, October 2008
You already know some of these, but some you may not know. Most of these are supported my medical and health research. Yes, we now know ways that life can be prolonged.
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, Do not notice the waist lines at the supermarket or mall.
Regular exercise for heart, lungs, muscles is essential. Probably few of us get enough since our life styles have become sedentary, even young children because TV is used as a baby sitter and kids today do not get outside and play. Recent evidence is that life style for kids affects learning.
The other five Silver Bullets have to do with faith, love, 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 marriage, and loving service: Five factors. Are there more? I want to suggest two more: There needs to be a place in life where one has a sense of play, fun, humor and laugher. We know that laughter is a factor in health and longevity. Keep looking for ways to laugh at the human condition and at yourself. You will live longer.
The last health factor can be combined into one. We need ways of living 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.
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 friend 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. Carpe Diem. Noblesse Oblige.
posted by Paschal Baute at 6:12 AM
|
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home