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[KJW #072] Co-Creating Balance, Harmony and Better Health: A Holistic and Integrating Way To Nurture A Better Quality of Life... For Elders and Their Caregivers
What can you do today to better your quality of life?
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YES, WE CAN INFLUENCE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE AND
THE BETTERMENT OF OUR WHOLE-PERSON WELLNESS;
MIND, BODY, SPIRIT AND THE ENVIRONMENT:
OUR EXTENDED BODY.
THE MIND
- GREEN HOUSEPLANTS & OUR BETTER HEALTH, not only look beautiful - research shows that they really improve health and well-being. House plants co-create living energy, remove harmful chemicals from the air, such as those in paints and varnishes, new carpets, negative energy, absorb dust and more... Plants are natural air filters and our dear friends.
Scientific studies prove that hospital patients recover faster, and with less medication while near green plants.
Indoor plants lower blood pressure, lower anxiety levels, help concentration and improve memory. They help reduce fatigue, caughs, sore throats, and other cold related illnesses by 30%.
(Research by Dr Tove Fjeld of University of Agriculture, Norway, 1994-1996 for the Flower Council of Holland)
"Cleve Backster, a scientist working with the police, decided one day to attach the electrodes of a lie detector to the leaf of a dracaena plant to see if the device was sensitive enough to pick up reactions from a nonhuman subject. After the device was attached to the leaf he thought maybe the reaction would be stronger if he burned the leaf. As soon as he had this thought there was a dramatic peak in the polygraph chart, a trace signature that Backster recognized as fear. Intrigued, Backster continued his research and the results were always the same: the plants always reacted to his intention before any action was taken. Backster concluded that not only are plants as sensitive as human beings, but they are able to read emotions and intentions, because there is a form of psychic connection, or affinity, between plants and people. (Copyright: Adapted from Plant Spirit Shamanism by Ross Heaven and Howard G. Charing)
Keep our dear friends, green houseplants near the window as they also need sunlight to live better. They need good clean water and our love. Talk to plants and share your good thoughts with them.
For dementia patients, please be mindful selecting non-toxic plants. Avoid the use of pesticides for safety and better health of everyone.
| "There is only so much what each human being can do to co-create better communities. But if we do what we can and are supposed to... that's plenty." |
THE BODY
- DANCE is a great way to invite good physical activity into our lives... music, gentle movements and fun speak to the body as to the soul and the mind. 30 minutes daily of moderate dance/movement helps improve breathing, better heart rate, develop muscle mass, better joints, bond mass and socialization.
Dance also encourages coordination, balance and muscle strength. Dance is very important among the elderly as it helps to reduce the risk of falling allowing people to maintain their mobility and independence.
Dance also improves circulation, helps prevent oxygen starvation to the brain, and by remembering steps and movements we stimulates some of our brain functioning. Listening to music while you dance stimulates memory, concentration, sensory, cognition and other mental functioning.
Dance also helps us nurture feelings of self-esteem and self-identity. It also helps to release hostility and anger. And by touching our hair or other parts of our body we establish contact with ourselves.
Social life, happiness and creativity can also be improved with dance and your favorite music.
Facilitate a nurturing space where elders can practice gentle movements or dance. Facilitate the supplies for elders to listen to nature sound music or their favorite music. Ask your elders for their input and have fun!
- FOOD AND MOODS. Foods can affect our ability to concentrate, our energy levels, our moods, our good nutrition and health. Foods influence our behavior and emotional well-being. Natural carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, can stimulate the release of serotonin, a brain chemical that helps reduce pain, decreases appetite and calm nerves. Small portions of fish, bean and eggs stimulate the release of dopamine and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that increase alertness, reduce irritability and concentration.
Protein breaks down into amino acids when you digest it. The amino acid tyrosine increases the production of neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, all of which increase energy and alertness.
Fluctuations in blood sugar levels are associated with changes in mood and energy, and are affected by what we eat and the activity that we are performing. The amino acids in different foods cause different neurotransmitters to be released, causing shifts in our moods, performance behavior, and energy levels. For example; chocolate affects the same part of our brain that is tickled when we experience feelings of love; this is due to chocolate causing the release of the comforting chemical phenylethylamine, along with serotonin that stimulates temporary feelings of serenity.
At least 40 different neurotransmitters have been identified, regulating nerve functions such as memory, appetite, movement, sleep cycles, and moods.
"A number of previous studies have linked low levels of omega-3 to clinically significant conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse and attention deficit disorder," said Sarah Conklin, Ph.D., a postdoctoral scholar with the Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Program in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Major depression is associated with defective antioxidant defenses. Vitamin E is the major fat soluble antioxidant in the body. Folic acid-containing food: spinach and other dark leafy greens, cooked oysters, sunflower seeds, puffed wheat cereal, swordfish or clams, garlic and chili peppers con correct depressive moods.
... Mind what you eat and you'll feel better.
| "The human family has many dreams and rights, but not the right to kill or self-destruction. Human evolving is an alignment with life and love... what is already there. " | 
THE SPIRIT
- NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY: HEALING WITH NATURE. Choosing scenes that speaks to your soul... follow the light!
As a writer and group psychotherapist I know the benefits of healing arts as a profound process of rehabilitation and rejuvenation for human beings. Taking nature walks, writing about nature, listening to nature sound music, and nature photography, are ways to co-create healing and health.
Tapping into the self-healing process of nature, listening to it with an open mind and an open heart. Inviting and welcoming nature to tell you their stories of survival, overcoming obstacles, challenges and bonding with all living beings and our dear planet Earth.
How often do we nurture our spiritual connection with nature?
How often do we listen to the voice of the Earth?
There is a synergistic inter-relationship between nature, animals, planetary and personal well-being. The term "synergy", the interaction or cooperation of two or more agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. Synergy in nature is chosen for its traditional theological connotation that the human and divine love are linked in evolution and eternal life. We live in nature and with nature. The needs of the planet, our home, are the needs of the person, and the rights of the person are the rights of all living beings and our planet too.
Nature and humans have a seed of good heart and by simply looking at animals; insects, birds... and nature, we learn to respect them, because they 'walk the talk', they live in harmony and their ways of life are their "religion." Cultivating a better relationship with nature helps to to develop 'a good and kind heart' ...a treasure of our own spirituality.
Elders and their caregivers are invited and encouraged to travel with their cameras, pencils and journals in hand, to compose your heart's desires and communications with nature.
- Click here to view an article about "Alaska People Tell Of Climate Change." "In many of the interviews elders make reference to the 1970s as the time that they began to notice changes in the climate."
I have conducted this activity with elders and with children and it is so beautiful and meaningful "to see nature through their eyes."
We are here to help you! Please send inquiries, requests for programs, speaker and consulting services with WEL, World Elder Land to connection@kathyjward.com
Peace be with you!
Kathy J. Ward, MA, MS, CTRS, ADC, CGP, CALA
Universal Peace Ambassador,
Cercle Universel des Ambassadeurs de la Paix - Geneva Switzerland
President of WEL, World Elder Land
Holistic Health Practitioner and Consultant, AHHA Member
President of ERT, Elder Recreation Therapy
Therapeutic Recreation Consultant
National Assisted Living Administrator Certified
Board Member, Activities, Adaptation and Aging Journal
Author
International Alzheimer's Association Speakers Bureau
Love Ambassador - Florida, USA
Member of the World Poet Society - Greece
Ambassador of Happiness For Elders - Connecticut, USA
Cell: (240) 393-5456
E-mail: connection@KathyJWard.com
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