Energy and vitality start in your head
03. Oct, 2011 
6 Comments
Silliness = vitality? Sure!
I watched a lady at the grocery store today.She had to have been in her 80s.
She may have come up to my chest, but it was hard to tell, really. She was bent over with osteoporosis.
(You can see it at that age. I don’t know that it would have been quite so obvious in the same woman 30 years ago.)
She moved very slowly, very gingerly–taking short, cautious steps and gripping her shopping cart.
It was hard to watch.
How are YOU moving?
With the same bounce and vitality you had 30 years ago? Most likely, no.
But here’s a tip: Start now to walk with vitality.
Try it in whatever you do, even when you’re tired. Especially when you’re tired.
It takes a force of will, of course. It’s mental, definitely.
But forcing yourself to do more when you’re tired and/or overwhelmed with life’s demands is, perhaps, key to your longevity. (Be reasonable, of course. You do need to rest/sleep and recover on a regular basis!)
And don’t stop being careful–especially if you already have a diagnosis of thinning bones.
(I still touch the wall for balance on my way downstairs to my basement laundry room. And I watch for icy sidewalks in the winter.)
But, in general, walk with energy and you’ll feel energetic. Younger, capable and vivacious.
How you move affects your mind.
Certainly, we all have our challenges.
By midlife, you’ve no doubt experienced your share (or more) of disappointments and sadnesses. It can take a toll.
But what alternative do you have?
Shuffle along and you start “telling” yourself that you’re tired, worn out, depleted or defeated.
Whether osteoporosis bends you in half or not–you don’t suddenly wake up at age 80 and begin shuffling along at half your old pace.
It happens over the years. Perhaps with each decade.
Suffer a health crisis–heart troubles, diabetes, high blood pressure–and you may slow yourself automatically, feeling frail or “unwell.”
Keeping yourself healthy also requires mental effort and determination.
Neglect to do that and you will become worn down by time and aging.
People talk about aging gracefully.
But aging gracefully, to my mind, means caring for your entire body. Your mind, your body, your spirits and your energy.
- Have you started to slow down? What do you think has caused it?
- What do you do to boost your energy?
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Your blog post yesterday was interesting timing in that the “energy level” topic had already been on my mind since earlier in the day. Johnny Cash was singing out “Get Rhythm” (lalalalala … Get Rhythm when you get the Blues, get a rock n roll feelin in your bones, c’mon get rhythm…lalala). We were dancing around the house singing along while we got ready for work but what stuck in my head was the idea that Positive Attitude and Energy and, as you say, VITALITY, starts in the mind, the soul. Thanks for the additional reminder that what makes our life rich is the way we enrich our lives with the basics: healthy habits and exercise for the body and mind.
I love your thoughts, Mary! We have to dig deep sometimes to pull out that energy. But I like to think it’s always there, if maybe just untapped.
REALLY deep sometimes!
I just stumbled upon your blog in the last week and I’ve enjoyed reading and watching the video blogs. Thanks!
Thanks, I’m delighted to have you and appreciate your comments!
Because of your blog, which I happened upon purely accidentally, I have become much more active. I’ve gone back to doing my pilates workout (at home) and have added your exercises for shoulders and biceps. I love the idea of beautiful shoulders! Why not!?
Thanks, Gina. Great to hear that! It’s always great to feel empowered, too. We do have some control over our health and our future. Better to feel energetic and flexible!