Wellness--Gathering My Thoughts

July   2008

Wellness...something I had not really thought about.  I guess I figured that it would take care of itself in one way or another and that there simply wasn't much I could do about it--the luck of the draw, if you will.

Well, today on Oprah, Dr. Oz was pushing his new book, "You".  This was not a quick fix panel show where we dip and dab at issues but never really explain them.  This was part one of at least two hours of education--real education!

Not only did he tell us about the most prevalent causes of aging, he brought out these special human bodies and showed us up close how the body works.  I learned about the Vegas nerve and its role in removing stress from our lives. I learned where the pituitary gland was and how the different organs worked on the subject of stress, (the number one cause of aging).  I learned where the adrenaline gland was situated, (over the kidney like a cap). 

I also learned ways to de-stress my body--deep breathing, meditating, yoga, tai-chi, exercise, relaxation, prayer, watching fish swim in an aquarium, holding and stroking pets, therapeutic massage...It surprised me how many things can reduce the stress if we just use them.

I am going to Oprah.com to take the aging test.  There was only one person from the audience who took the test that came out wonderfully...one in 100 who was aging well.  There were none who were ok.  There were approximately 14 to 17 percent who were average.  The rest were not aging well.  When they asked her what she was doing she shared her busy schedule:  5:00 am wake, 5:30 am run with friend for one hours, back home to get kids off to school by 6:30 am.  She cooked all her foods from scratch, (mostly vegetables, some fruits, and a little meat).  She didn't smoke, didn't eat fat or high sugar foods.  She did all the things we should be doing and her effort was paying off.  It was actually measurable.  This was an eye opener.

I wasn't able to watch the rest of the show so I will share more as I do.  I just know that the answer to living not just a long life, but a healthy, active, exciting life is somewhere in Dr. Oz's book.  At age 60 I have reached that point where I want to live--not just survive.  And I want to be able to walk and run and do all the things I enjoy while I am doing it.  I need my health for that and I am determined to reverse the terrible effects I have dumped upon this body. 

I will let you know how I am doing!