Recently, while browsing a health magazine purchased in 2919 — Time's Special Edition WELLNESS: Finding a Healthier You — I read the article by Jeffrey Kluger: "How Well Are You Really?"
In the spirit of lightening the load during these challenging times, below are a few points worth sharing. Adjust them accordingly for appropriate mask-wearing and social distancing.
"Staying connected with family – or reconnecting if you've drifted can – can be a powerful emotional curative. Joining social groups, volunteering, and if you're widowed, divorced, or otherwise single, rejoining the social world can also help." In today's world, staying within our bubble(s) or the online option will be.”
"In some cases, merely walking in the door of a house of worship can be good for health and overall wellness."
"Then, too, there is the mutual support and services that congregates offer one another." The University of Michigan "has conducted some surprising studies showing it is often the people who provide the services which benefit more than the ones who receive them."
"American adults spend an average of four hours per day watching TV, and a lot of what they are getting in those hours is the entertainment equivalent of empty calories." Fortunately, there are also high-quality options.
Intellectual stimulation protects against cognitive decline. As Kluger writes: "One 2017 study from the Mayo Clinic on people 70 and older found that older adults who play chess or other board games have a 22% lower risk of mild cognitive impairment. Working with crafts cuts the risk by 28% and using a computer by 30%.
Learn a second language: "… the journal Annals of Neurology provided fresh support for the long-held belief that learning a second language helps keep the mind sharp – improving memory, reading comprehension and general intelligence – partly by fostering the growth on new brain cells."
"… nearly any kind of structured class in an academic setting can boost overall brain wellness." It can also be competitive fun! Especially in you are learning a second language on Duo Lingo.
"There are lighter workouts for your brain too: solving puzzles, reading a stimulating book or even just the newspaper, going to a museum – especially if you make it a point to try and learn and retain something about the art or other exhibits you're seeing."
"You can't clean up the planet – not the whole thing and certainly not all by yourself. But you can make big improvements in your small part of it."
"… nearly any kind of structured class in an academic setting can boost overall brain wellness.”
“Then, there's the importance of physical activity. Dr. Prianka Chawla recommends getting 30 minutes of brisk walking, jogging, dancing, or casual cycling at least 5 times per week."
Finally, let’s not forget the importance of spending time in nature, a topic for another day.
John Oró, MD, FAANS
paleoterran@icloud.com
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