Here's to Long Life!
Welcome to May...albeit nearing the
end. Sun and warmth has arrived here in
the Northeast. It's mostly blue sky days
mixed in with some cleansing rains that
wash the pollen away. The weather is
lovely and I wish the same for you
wherever you call home. This month's
topic is some new /some recycled...yet
all timely.
I love this time of year! Renewal is
everywhere you turn; from the shiny
green leaves on the trees to the final
unfurling of the fiddlehead ferns in the
woods, to the fuzzy ducklings following
their parents lead on the nearby
lake...this time of year brings a
revival of spirit and energy.
Last week, as I was enjoying an early
breakfast in my sunroom while reading
the newspaper; I focused on a front page
story about a Centenarian Celebration in
nearby Philadelphia. There were close to
70 residents of Philadelphia who were
being honored for the distinction of
long life. All were age 99 and beyond.
The 2 oldest residents were a gentleman
who is 104 and a Mrs. Henderson who is
109!! She looked radiant and lovely in
the front page photo, wearing a
beautiful pink suit and a flowery white
hat. She spoke about her years growing
up, working on her father's farm. She
raised 8 children (6 of who are still
alive) and has 25 grandchildren. Talk
about spirit and energy! What an
inspiration! It got me thinking that at
56, if I make some good choices and am
blessed with the luck of the draw, I
might have another 50 years ahead of me.
I have to say that's an intriguing
thought!
More and more there are news stories of
folks who are doing great things, well
into their old age. Magazines and books
are filled with ideas on how to extend
our quality of life. What I'm realizing
is that although we're all going to get
older, how we handle those changes is
what will make all the difference.
In an interview with two well-known
physicians, Dr. Michael Roizen and Dr.
Mehmet Oz, authors of YOU-the
Owner's Manual:
An Insider's Guide to the Body That Will
Make You Healthier and Younger; Dr.
Roizen said that 78% of how fast we age
and how long we will live is in our
control, depending on the choices we
make. Certainly our genes play a role in
that but even by the time we turn
thirty, 60% of our longevity is in our
control (barring any tragic accidents).
And by the time we reach fifty, it's
about 80%. That is pretty astounding
news! The interview continued with Dr.
Oz (I like that name!J ) stating that
the number one body part to take care of
in order to age well is our arteries. In
order to help improve our arteries, we
need to reduce our blood pressure
(115/75 is ideal). In order to reduce
our blood pressure, we simply have to
move more and eat less; as well as eat
the right stuff which includes salmon,
orange juice, walnuts, and even red wine
and dark chocolate! As for the exercise,
if we can get ourselves moving 3 times a
week for at least 20 minutes where we
break a sweat each time then combine
that with a daily 30 minute walking
regimen, we can begin to influence our
longevity within a week of getting
started. I don't know about you but
having the knowledge that, to a large
extent, a longer, healthier life is in
our own control by the choices we
make...well; it's a no-brainer! Maybe
I'll call up Mrs. Henderson and ask her
if she wants to meet me for a stroll!
"Every birthday you decide whether to
mark it the end of your greatest days or the
beginning of your finest hour."
~Oprah Winfrey~
What about you? The choice is YOURS!
