From My Perspective - - -
The process of aging is a reality for all. The whole idea of “from the cradle to the grave” is of interest and contains many implications. While thinking about the “cycles of life” can be grim and sobering, the one with wisdom and sense of responsibility is compelled to do so. One has to plan on education, career, family, home, savings, retirement, etc. Actually, if one is past the mid-20s range and hasn’t done some “life-cycle planning”, it may be the time to become engaged in doing so.
The University of Virginia has prepared a study entitled: AGING & CARING: 20 Easy Ways To Boost Your Memory. It was written by Paula Spencer who also maintains an interesting website, www.caring.com. In the article, her premise and thesis is: “Worried about fading brain power? If you’re older than 27, you have good reason. That’s the age when cognitive skills start to decline, according to new University of Virginia research. But while some changes in thinking and memory are inevitable as we age, the good news is that lifestyle seems to be able to blunt those effects — and keep many minds working sharply well into old age. That’s reassuring, given headlines from the Alzheimer’s Association’s new annual report showing that every 70 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s (the most common form of dementia). Debilitating memory loss doesn’t happen to everyone, though. Learn what you can do to preserve yours.” She then lists some of the following as a way and means to safeguard Memory Usage…
1. Take the stairs - Exercise benefits your head as much as the rest of your body, a growing number of studies indicate. Overall cardio-respiratory fitness also lowers the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems — all known risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Theories on why that’s so range from improved blood flow to the brain to less brain shrinkage.
5. Eat less - After only 12 weeks, healthy volunteers (average age 60) who reduced their daily calories by 30 percent scored 20 percent better on memory tests…The possible reason: decreased levels of insulin, created when the body processes food, and of the inflammation-associated molecule C-reactive protein. Both factors are linked to improved memory function. The people in the study were cautioned not to consume fewer than 1,200 calories a day. If cutting back on your diet by nearly a third seems too daunting, focus on eating less fat, meat, and dairy products. Earlier this year, Columbia University Medical Center researchers reported that in a long-term study of more than 1,300 participants, those with the highest adherence to a Mediterranean diet — rich in vegetables, legumes, fish, and monounsaturated oils (like olive oil) but low in fat, beef, and dairy — had the lowest risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
10. Take the “Multi” Out Of Your Tasking - Try to learn something new — reading a contract or directions, copying a skill — when you can give it your full concentration. Cut out distractions like the TV in the background…
19. Don’t retire - Provided you like your work, you’re helping your brain by sticking with it as long as you can. A satisfying work life offers social stimulation and decision-making opportunities — and exercises problem-solving skills. Next best: Volunteering, such as at a school or museum, where your training involves learning new material and the task involves interacting with others.
Someone once allowed there are three indications regarding aging – 1) Not seeing as well, 2) Not hearing as clearly, and 3) the third just doesn’t seem to come to mind. There is benefit in visiting with those who are aging. Even though some older adults have become very negative about life issues, helping one another to think constructively and positively will prove to be beneficial to all. One of the great words of both retrospect and perspective is shared in Psalm 37:23-26, “If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.” A Hymn enjoins, “Count your blessings, name them one by one…” Someone suggested a variation to those words: “Count your blessings, name them by the score, And you soon will find – there are many, many more.” Consider these things with me!
The process of aging is a reality for all. The whole idea of “from the cradle to the grave” is of interest and contains many implications. While thinking about the “cycles of life” can be grim and sobering, the one with wisdom and sense of responsibility is compelled to do so. One has to plan on education, career, family, home, savings, retirement, etc. Actually, if one is past the mid-20s range and hasn’t done some “life-cycle planning”, it may be the time to become engaged in doing so.
The University of Virginia has prepared a study entitled: AGING & CARING: 20 Easy Ways To Boost Your Memory. It was written by Paula Spencer who also maintains an interesting website, www.caring.com. In the article, her premise and thesis is: “Worried about fading brain power? If you’re older than 27, you have good reason. That’s the age when cognitive skills start to decline, according to new University of Virginia research. But while some changes in thinking and memory are inevitable as we age, the good news is that lifestyle seems to be able to blunt those effects — and keep many minds working sharply well into old age. That’s reassuring, given headlines from the Alzheimer’s Association’s new annual report showing that every 70 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s (the most common form of dementia). Debilitating memory loss doesn’t happen to everyone, though. Learn what you can do to preserve yours.” She then lists some of the following as a way and means to safeguard Memory Usage…
1. Take the stairs - Exercise benefits your head as much as the rest of your body, a growing number of studies indicate. Overall cardio-respiratory fitness also lowers the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems — all known risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Theories on why that’s so range from improved blood flow to the brain to less brain shrinkage.
5. Eat less - After only 12 weeks, healthy volunteers (average age 60) who reduced their daily calories by 30 percent scored 20 percent better on memory tests…The possible reason: decreased levels of insulin, created when the body processes food, and of the inflammation-associated molecule C-reactive protein. Both factors are linked to improved memory function. The people in the study were cautioned not to consume fewer than 1,200 calories a day. If cutting back on your diet by nearly a third seems too daunting, focus on eating less fat, meat, and dairy products. Earlier this year, Columbia University Medical Center researchers reported that in a long-term study of more than 1,300 participants, those with the highest adherence to a Mediterranean diet — rich in vegetables, legumes, fish, and monounsaturated oils (like olive oil) but low in fat, beef, and dairy — had the lowest risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
10. Take the “Multi” Out Of Your Tasking - Try to learn something new — reading a contract or directions, copying a skill — when you can give it your full concentration. Cut out distractions like the TV in the background…
19. Don’t retire - Provided you like your work, you’re helping your brain by sticking with it as long as you can. A satisfying work life offers social stimulation and decision-making opportunities — and exercises problem-solving skills. Next best: Volunteering, such as at a school or museum, where your training involves learning new material and the task involves interacting with others.
Someone once allowed there are three indications regarding aging – 1) Not seeing as well, 2) Not hearing as clearly, and 3) the third just doesn’t seem to come to mind. There is benefit in visiting with those who are aging. Even though some older adults have become very negative about life issues, helping one another to think constructively and positively will prove to be beneficial to all. One of the great words of both retrospect and perspective is shared in Psalm 37:23-26, “If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.” A Hymn enjoins, “Count your blessings, name them one by one…” Someone suggested a variation to those words: “Count your blessings, name them by the score, And you soon will find – there are many, many more.” Consider these things with me!
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