March 2023 Newsletter | Infusions of Vitamins Joy, Fun, and Laughter
My mission is to be the first woman in 4 generations to not develop Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). On my journey of discovering ways to mitigate my risk, I pass this information on to you in this Brain-Body-Health (BBH) Newsletter.
"What enables people to make sustainable changes is not fear of dying, it’s joy of living."
—Dean Ornish
Spring has sprung in Mendocino County! Magnolias, plums daffodils, and calendulas are showing off their true colors. Like seasons, life’s challenges change similarly leading us to trust in the joy of it all unfolding in a remarkable way. The recent equinox where light and dark are held in perfect alignment may act as a reminder to bring greater balance into our lives with infusions of Vitamins J, F, and L (Joy, Fun, and Laughter).
Photo by Karen Rosen
As April Fools Day approaches try putting on your fool's hat and doing some merry-making. Let’s face it Brain Health can be a bit heady (LOL) hmmm and serious, to say the least. Have you heard that joy, fun, and laughter are a lot like sex? If you don’t use them you lose them. As George Bernard Shaw said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Speaking of growing old, did you hear the new statistics about death rates that have increased? These international studies are saying it's probably 100% certain that you are going to die. Ha Ha! Lightness and levity are good for us and our brains and bodies too. In our Qi Gong retreat this past weekend the teacher sitting cool, calm, and cross-legged as we students hung on every word said, “thinking may be a lot like farting”. Pause… You could feel a detectable big ‘fart’ of release in the Qi Field… less thinking and relaxation arouse in that humorous moment.
Developing awareness of habits and patterns of our thinking and behavior from serious to humorous, and everything in between can be illuminating.
“Here’s to the importance of Vitamin J - Joy, F - fun, and L - Laughter.”
— Ci Ci Rider
Did you know in the early days of medicine Vitamins J, F, and L were actual parts of the medical exam called vitality? Matter of fact, the term vital signs has its root from ‘vitality’ defined as lively and enduring, distinguishing living from the nonliving. I’m thinking that vitality could be a useful measurement for us to return to. Imagine you and your healthcare provider assessing your vitality by checking your Vitamins J, F, and L. Low vitality is often one of the first signs of brain health problems. Are you feeling like a recent client said, “life feels full of effort without much reward”? If this is the case you could be having a mismatch in your brain energy. Remember your brain is an energy hog and when you are imbalanced in areas of SLEDSS (Sleep, Learning, Exercise, Healthy Diet, Socialization, and Stress Reduction discussed in the BBH December Newsletter) your brain shuts down areas so that you can get through life’s motions rather than be fully engaged. Do your own experiment if Vitamins J, F, and L are low, set an intention, and develop skills to increase. Practice makes good, as our son’s first-grade teacher used to say. You know there was a reason jesters were paid staff by monarchies. Humor lightens the load. Plus being playful brings out our creativity and helps solve problems, reduces stress, and cortisol, and brings on those feel-good endorphins. Humor is one of our best and often neglected medicines for the brain.
LESSONS FROM COACHING
“Take a sad song and make it better”
—Lyrics from Hey Jude
Recently, I celebrated with a dear friend both of our mother's Yahrzeits. In Judaism, this is the anniversary of the day of death where one typically lights a Yahrzeit candle that burns for 24 hours while turning one’s thoughts to their loved one. We decided to honor our mothers by singing and decorating their benches.
Bringing vitality to yourself while you are caring for someone with brain/body health illness is challenging. Here are some resources for both of you.
At my mother's bench
—Photo by Karen Rosen
Creative storytelling - This is a technique that reduces tension by crossing the fence line of separation coming to the loved ones ‘side’. Example: A mother with dementia grew up on a ranch and woke up at 5 am fearful, wanting to check the gate so cows won’t get loose. The daughter validates her by saying, "Mom, yes so glad you remembered, it's important that’s why I checked the gate this morning before you woke up." (True story)
Validation Breakthrough: Simple Techniques for Communicating with People with 'Alzheimer's-Type Dementia' by Naomi Feil.
Singing, dancing, walking, exercise, art and craft therapy, support groups abound online and in our local communities. Get the support you and your loved one need. Check with your local senior centers for support.
Our father’s picture he painted while in art therapy at his care facility. It was actioned off to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association. It tickled him pink that he painted this. We still recall his laughter…he, he, he.
Like the African Proverb: If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together. Our best medicine is being around friends, schmoozing, sharing, walking, quilting, crafting, playing music, dancing and just being silly. Tap into the "S" of SLEDSS for increasing socialization and avoiding isolation.
LESSON FROM SCIENCE: School of Fun, Laughter, and Joy ;)
Many of you know I spent half of medical school in France, I wish I would have seen this to learn the numbers.
One of our dear friends whom we lost touch with during the pandemic sent us this cartoon after he disclosed his wife has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.
3. Seth Rogan and Lauren Miller use comedy to cope with AD.
4. Dancing has a strong potential to induce more positive effects on the brain, especially increased levels of Vitamins J, F, and L. Line dancing is what got me through all our spring rains. Here are some beginning steps to tempt you with.
To our optimized health!
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“If you want to go FAST, go alone. If you want to go FAR, go together."
- African proverb