Category: Ageless Living

The Benefits of Hiking

Posted AdminPosted in Ageless Health, Ageless Living, Ageless Mind

Why do you love to hike so much? I get asked that question lots. The short answer – there are so many benefits to hiking. It is great for my body, spirit, mind, relationships and soul.

East End of Rundle

It is obvious, hiking is great for our physical health. It gets the heart beating, muscles burning and more oxygen into our body. Because we are walking in nature, it doesn’t feel like we are exercising – to me, it is more enjoyable than going to the gym. Hiking will tend to burn more calories because we are out longer; it is easy to hike for hours at a time. So I am getting exercise without feeling like I am exercising. It keeps me physically fit.

McGillvary Canyon

Hiking is effective for fighting against depression – it keeps us calm and happy because nature has a calming effect. Studies have found that people who spend time walking in nature are less anxious. Being in nature promotes a sense of awe – a state of wonder. It makes me feel like there is something bigger than myself because I am so small in this big big world. This feeling allows me to really learn to surrender to what is and let go of things that are out of my control.

If you want to be smarter, go hiking. We don’t usually correlate hiking to intelligence, but it is connected. Hiking actually keeps my mind sharper than many other exercises. When hiking, we are constantly route finding, and watching for obstacles like overhanging branches, roots and rocks on the path when we are hiking. We are constantly making micro and macro adjustments, which is great exercise for the brain, especially parts of the brain designed to help us navigate through life. So if you want to be smarter and stay sharp, go hiking.

larch valley

When we hike, we build relationship with yourself and others. Hiking with other people can produce a special feeling of closeness and a sense of safety. In the short 1.5 years that I have been hiking with the ladies that I hike with on a regular basis, we have obtained a very special relationship- I feel I can trust them completely. There is a mother/daughter study which proves this. The study had these mothers and daughters walk in an arboretum compared to walking the mall, shows that they have better attention during cognitive task and show improved interaction with each other. Now, if you choose to hike solo, you build a stronger relationship with yourself. When we are in nature with your own thoughts, you get to know ourselves even more. I love doing solo hikes for that very reason. Nature heals.

Prairie View

Being in nature also increases our creativity. It allows our mind to wander freely in creative ways. I believe that is why so many philosophers and artists find inspirations in natural spaces. When the mind is not distracted by the hustle and bustle of life – electronics, and all the noises around us- the mind can relax so creativity can flow easily. In a study done by David Strayer and colleagues that tested a group of young adults before and after a 3 day backcountry camping found that their problem solving and creative thinking increased after the activity. When our mind is quiet, ideas flow freely.

Hiking is also better for the environment! When we have a personal connection with nature, we tend to protect it. We all need as many people to protect Mother Earth as possible for our future generations to enjoy.

Midnight Peak

I hike for many reasons, the biggest one is that I get to practice being present. In this busy world we live in, I find that when I hike, I get to practice being present. Your mind can’t wander because it needs to focus on staying safe, on taking the next step without tripping on roots or rocks; being in the moment. I find that I am even more present when I am scrambling because any misstep can be deadly. Maybe that’s the reason why people like rock climbing. It is just the very step that is most important. The more we practice being present, the better we can apply it to our every day life. If we can live life being in the moment, life is so much more effortless and carefree. And not to forget, the views are breathtaking! With all these reasons, I encourage everyone to go hiking.

Antelope Canyon

5 Benefits of Exercise

Posted AdminPosted in Ageless Health, Ageless Living

I was compelled to write this article about what I believe to be the top 5 benefits of exercising and proper eating habits. I am not an expert in anyway, but I hope this will be a helpful guide to inspire you to take action to incorporate physical activities in your daily life.

There are ample scientific studies proving that daily exercise keeps you healthy and strong and improves the overall quality of your life. Exercise also elevates your brain’s secretion of serotonin. Healthy levels of serotonin achieved through regular exercise can make you feel happier and more relaxed – acting as a natural combatant against depression and anxiety. If you pair regular exercise with a well-balanced diet, you’ll notice immediate changes in mood and energy levels. More importantly, consistently eating well and exercising will improve your health and extend your lifespan.

Benefits of exercise

Energy

If you eat healthy, small snacks and meals throughout the day, you’ll keep your blood sugar from crashing and feel more energetic. If you work out for 30 minutes each day, you’ll have the added benefit of a neurotransmitter called serotonin, which is a natural mood booster. Your energy level will continue throughout the day.

Weight Control

Losing weight and keeping it off takes a combination of eating fewer calories and burning more energy. Eat nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods such as fruits, vegetables and lean meats and other proteins that will fill you up. Integrate physical activity into your everyday routine in addition to scheduled exercise. For instance, take the stairs at work or park at the far end of the lot. Be mindful that managing your weight is not just about how much you weigh on the scale, but your body fat percentage and muscle mass, and your body shape. On average, you will lose about 5-10% muscle mass every decade after age 35 if you lead a sedentary lifestyle. As a result, you will gain more weight as you grow older. Of course weight control also is important to those who wish to gain weight, I will cover that topic in another article.

Health

Regular exercise and good nutrition may prevent a myriad of conditions including heart disease, hypertension, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis and depression. It prevents osteoarthritis by reducing weight and stress on the joints, strengthening of bones and joints and prevention of osteoporosis, decreasing the risk of falls by maintaining flexibility and balance and improvement in functional activities required in the activities of daily living. Exercising results in good circulation which improves endurance, helping you get through your daily routine efficiently.

Self-Esteem

There is nothing like running farther or improving your physique to boost your self-esteem. Looking great with your clothes on and off is also a great confidence booster. Take time to enjoy your new healthy lifestyle. Keep fitness fun and interesting by trying something new – go for a hike, take a martial arts course or register for a 5K run.

Sleep

If you exercise vigorously for 30 minutes a day, you may find yourself sleeping like a baby at night. A good night’s rest will improve your mental acuity and energy levels the next day. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get seven to nine hours of sleep per night for optimal mental health. The brain needs this time to perform the necessary function of memory consolidation from your day. Sleep also affects hormone production, hormones that stimulate and suppress appetite. Stay active so you can sleep soundly.

Like the law of inertia, a body motion stays in motion. If you want to be mobile longer and be healthier, you need to keep your body moving. Being active is a lifestyle that will support you to live healthier, longer. Have fun and keep moving.

 

Philosophy of Agelessness

Posted AdminPosted in Ageless Living

Agelessness is multi-faceted.  People think that growing old is about looking old, but imagine looking like a 30 year old and feeling like a 70 year old, that is not youthfulness. Agelessness is a balance of the 4 sides of ageless square.

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Ageless being is about your mindset and thought process.  Your thoughts are the foundation of your existence.  Everything begins with the thought.  Thoughts are things.  Our thoughts create our reality; therefore it is very important to be aware of our thinking. 

Ageless living is about lifestyle, how you live your life.  The key to youthfulness is a life free from stress, childlike.  Can you imagine a 3 year old worrying about how she is going to pay for the food she is eating?  It is about living a happy life by managing the stresses in life.

Ageless beauty is about how to obtain optimal youth with physical external being.  It is how you look, your skin, your body, your hair, your style…it is your whole physical package.  It is about being the most beautiful person you were meant to be naturally.

Ageless health is about optimizing your physical body to living to your maximum potential.  It involves nutrition and living an active lifestyle.  It is about living a life full of vitality. Your health is a longterm investment, it is like your savings, the more money you have saved, the more money you have to spend in the future.

To achieve agelessness, you need to work on all sides of the square.  The square needs to be balanced on all sides.  All the sides have equal value.  If the values are different, then it is no longer a square.  So, this is really a balancing act.  Anti-aging is an inside and outside job.  You need to incorporate positive thinking, implement a stress-free and carefree life, give your body the proper nutrients, and take proper care of your physical shell.  All those areas are equally important.  Remember, this doesn’t happen over night, it is a way of life. You are meant to live to your hundreds when you give your body the proper environment to flourish.