Great food for thought, Karen! Every minute you spend thinking about lengthening your life is time away from the moment you are living in now. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I read this as I’m in bed with Covid. I’m through the worst, and there was only one bad day. But I get pretty sick (strep, pneumonia, now Covid) about once a year, and it really sets me back. I’m fragile for another week or so, my workouts took a hit, etc. I take good care of myself, namely I eat clean, and I workout regularly. What else can I do to boost my immune system? I can’t imagine these kind of fever pains/headaches/coughing at 100.
Sorry to hear you’ve been sick. I had a cold last month. It was my first in 12 years! Nothing like being sick to appreciate health.
It’s very common to get an annual cold/flu & now Covid will be in the mix. I was the same most of my adult life. Every year. Something.
So many things pIay into our immunity. Food. Exercise. Gut health. Sleep. Exposure to toxins. Stress. Sense of community & connection.
It’s an ongoing practice to build & support our immunity. I feel like there is always part of my life where I can make improvements.
The good news is that our bodies do a pretty good job of pointing out when we are doing good & where we can improve. Illness is one of those. It gives us a chance to slow down and ask ourselves where we have tipped the scales and what we can do to improve.
Also as we age, our body doesn’t put up with ‘abuse’ like it could when we were younger. I feel like my immune system needs more protection and support every year.
Things that support me most: I eat a ton of fresh veggies, fruit. (Wide variety). Exercise regularly. Sleep 8 hours daily. Minimize stress. Lots of time outdoors. Meditation/mindset practices. Time with friends. Learning new things. Noticing overwhelm when it hits & adjusting expectations. Lots of consistency in all these areas. Making them top priority & building my life around them. While also remaining flexible and not being rigid. Because health requires fluidity. It’s ongoing and ever changing.
Just some thoughts. I definitely have lots of room for improvement. Especially if I want to be feeling awesome at 100. 😜
Thank you for your thoughtful response. I’ve definitely neglected a few areas you mentioned. I will look back on your comment a lot as I refine my self-care practice. ☀️💗
Karen, you have a knack for zeroing in on what I have been contemplating!! Thanks for the ideas and now if I can make myself do what is necessary I could make it to 100!! (maybe) Thanks!!!
Thanks for your post that is inspiring as always. Having cared for my parents in their poor health through their death, I know the importance of good health for old age. I recommend a book by Sanjay Gupta (the CNN medical correspondent) called "Keep Sharp - Build a Better Brain at Any Age" about how to reduce risk factors of dementia and enhance overall health. I'm totally committed to my health & wellness for longevity, in large part in reaction to my parents' poor health and mom's dementia. But, I will say that's only part of the pictures of what's needed for a good old life. The other two key things in my view are relationships, and financial security. Having strong relationships (be they family and/or friends) is crucial. And, having financial resources to afford caregiving later in life also is crucial. I worry about my friends who don't have life partners or siblings they can count on for help when they're very old, and/or who don't have resources for late-stage life care.
Yes Sarah! So glad you brought these up. Very important pieces of the equation. Removing the stress of those concerns removes fear & anxiety.
Also I forgot about that book! Thanks for the rec. I need to read that one. I’m working on brain health as well. I feel like our generation in particular may find this our biggest health challenge as we age.
Karen, That is the question - what do I need to be doing now to be healthy and independent when I am 100? I am 83 years old - or young - and my choices are based on it.
I love planting these kinds of questions in our minds because our brains go to work trying to find the answers. And it helps guide our choices. 🤗 Sounds like you’ve made some great life choices already to be 83 and continuing to ask yourself these questions. Love it! Keep it up!!
Great food for thought, Karen! Every minute you spend thinking about lengthening your life is time away from the moment you are living in now. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
That’s true too! The great paradoxes of life! Having purpose + inspiration to move forward while embodying the present.
I read this as I’m in bed with Covid. I’m through the worst, and there was only one bad day. But I get pretty sick (strep, pneumonia, now Covid) about once a year, and it really sets me back. I’m fragile for another week or so, my workouts took a hit, etc. I take good care of myself, namely I eat clean, and I workout regularly. What else can I do to boost my immune system? I can’t imagine these kind of fever pains/headaches/coughing at 100.
Sorry to hear you’ve been sick. I had a cold last month. It was my first in 12 years! Nothing like being sick to appreciate health.
It’s very common to get an annual cold/flu & now Covid will be in the mix. I was the same most of my adult life. Every year. Something.
So many things pIay into our immunity. Food. Exercise. Gut health. Sleep. Exposure to toxins. Stress. Sense of community & connection.
It’s an ongoing practice to build & support our immunity. I feel like there is always part of my life where I can make improvements.
The good news is that our bodies do a pretty good job of pointing out when we are doing good & where we can improve. Illness is one of those. It gives us a chance to slow down and ask ourselves where we have tipped the scales and what we can do to improve.
Also as we age, our body doesn’t put up with ‘abuse’ like it could when we were younger. I feel like my immune system needs more protection and support every year.
Things that support me most: I eat a ton of fresh veggies, fruit. (Wide variety). Exercise regularly. Sleep 8 hours daily. Minimize stress. Lots of time outdoors. Meditation/mindset practices. Time with friends. Learning new things. Noticing overwhelm when it hits & adjusting expectations. Lots of consistency in all these areas. Making them top priority & building my life around them. While also remaining flexible and not being rigid. Because health requires fluidity. It’s ongoing and ever changing.
Just some thoughts. I definitely have lots of room for improvement. Especially if I want to be feeling awesome at 100. 😜
Thank you for your thoughtful response. I’ve definitely neglected a few areas you mentioned. I will look back on your comment a lot as I refine my self-care practice. ☀️💗
Karen, you have a knack for zeroing in on what I have been contemplating!! Thanks for the ideas and now if I can make myself do what is necessary I could make it to 100!! (maybe) Thanks!!!
Glad this resonates with you. You’re right! Now we just have to put our ideas to work!
Thanks for your post that is inspiring as always. Having cared for my parents in their poor health through their death, I know the importance of good health for old age. I recommend a book by Sanjay Gupta (the CNN medical correspondent) called "Keep Sharp - Build a Better Brain at Any Age" about how to reduce risk factors of dementia and enhance overall health. I'm totally committed to my health & wellness for longevity, in large part in reaction to my parents' poor health and mom's dementia. But, I will say that's only part of the pictures of what's needed for a good old life. The other two key things in my view are relationships, and financial security. Having strong relationships (be they family and/or friends) is crucial. And, having financial resources to afford caregiving later in life also is crucial. I worry about my friends who don't have life partners or siblings they can count on for help when they're very old, and/or who don't have resources for late-stage life care.
Yes Sarah! So glad you brought these up. Very important pieces of the equation. Removing the stress of those concerns removes fear & anxiety.
Also I forgot about that book! Thanks for the rec. I need to read that one. I’m working on brain health as well. I feel like our generation in particular may find this our biggest health challenge as we age.
Karen, That is the question - what do I need to be doing now to be healthy and independent when I am 100? I am 83 years old - or young - and my choices are based on it.
I love planting these kinds of questions in our minds because our brains go to work trying to find the answers. And it helps guide our choices. 🤗 Sounds like you’ve made some great life choices already to be 83 and continuing to ask yourself these questions. Love it! Keep it up!!