So I am sipping my coffee and checking out what's going on in the world. One of the first things I see is a story posted by The Huffington Post about a study done by the University of Michigan regarding relationships and how being single is better for mental health than being with unsupportive or critical spouses. The study concluded that quality matters more than quantity when it comes to depression.
Did they really need to spend money on a study to determine this? It sort of falls under the "Duh" category. In my opinion anyway! :D I can say I am definitely happier and more peaceful than I was in my marriage. I've never been co-dependent and am perfectly fine on my own with my boys but that doesn't mean I'm not open to the right thing when it happens. The word "right" is important. And it will be fulfilling and happy then. I don't think I needed a study to tell me I'm better off now than I was in my marriage. That's pretty obvious! haha! Silly silly studies. Lets put that money to better things, like the starving people across the world!
Now on to another study I found interesting. About living.
Do you want to live to be 100 or more? Apparently living that long is going to become the norm for human beings. Not necessarily this generation but not too far off either. I think it's pretty obvious that how we are choosing to live is helping matters. People are much more aware of what is good and what is bad for them. Women don't smoke while pregnant anymore, we wear seat belts and going out to get meat doesn't require a bow and arrow. In this country anyway.
According to a book and research done by Dan Buettner and is laid out in a book called The Blue Zones. These zones have people living to 100 or more in a much greater frequency than anywhere else in the world and 10 times greater than the United States. These zones are: Okinawa, Japan, Loma Linda, California, Sardinia, Italy, Nicoya, Costa Rica and Ikaria, Greece.
There are a variety of reasons why each place in particular has people living so long some with their own unique daily habits. However, the common patterns among these widely dispersed locations are: They don't smoke, daily physical activity based on walking, plant based diets with minimal animal protein (using legumes in place for protein), strong family and social connections and an absence of processed or junk food.
Sure, most of these fall into the "duh" category too....but it's still good to keep in mind and incorporate them into your life. And the important thing is these people were living better and aging more gracefully and truly enjoying life into their advanced ages. What's the good in living longer if you aren't feeling energetic and healthy? So these daily habits along with others like living with purpose by helping others, include faith in your life, drink in moderation if you like (I know many will enjoy that one! lol!) and find ways to reduce stress....will help you live that life.
I personally think reducing stress and finding ways to just breathe and not worry so much is a huge part of living happily longer. Use humor, prayer and get plenty of rest to help with this. A good nights sleep is one of the best stress relievers out there. And of course I get good workouts in to help with that. It really does take a lot for me to get bent out of shape these days. If people get confrontational with me, I tend to just sit there and look at them and in my mind I'm thinking "ommmmmmmm!" And if I engage ever, I think "That was a waste of my precious time. Let me not do that again". :)
So lets see. If I live to be 100, that will be the year 2075. I actually saw a program a few days ago about technology and time. Apparently the T.V. show The Jetsons was set in the year 2062. So maybe I will be moving about in a flying car by then? We'll be able to put water on a pill and create dinner. Though I'm not sure that will help with longevity! ;) J.T. will be 68 and Sammy will be 65. I should be a grandmother and possibly a great-grandmother. And I am downing the antioxidants and live a healthy life to hopefully make me a foxy granny! :p Though of course part of living a fun, healthy life is that balance I've talked about before. As Sophia Loren says "Everything you see I owe to spaghetti". Ahhhhh pasta and Italian food and red wine!! I heart thee!
Alright, I bid you all a good day. De-stress! Do it!! Don't let stuff get to you so much. It's just not worth it and will only make you feel worse. If someone is rude or assy to you it's more a reflection on them and really has nothing to do with you. Don't let their rudeness and ill treatment of you make you age faster and less gracefully. You can have the last laugh one day when you look amazing and are living a fun life at 100 and they are either long gone or grouchy and nasty still. Poor them! :)
Cheers and Namaste!! *Clinking my cup of green tea*
I've posted him before but it seems fitting to do so again today. If you're stressed and having a bad day, close your eyes and listen. Ahhhhhhhh! I'm convinced he was a God of some sort. Who does this????????????? I so regret never being able to see him in concert. Him and Freddy Mercury! And probably Jim Morrison! :)
xoxoxoxo
Tam
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