Get Healthy Bloghop

We are all familiar with the popular saying –

An apple a day keeps the doctor away! This is proven by the fact that the creators of this bloghop decided to use a shiny, red apple as the logo.

                                                

As a way of promoting good health, in its entirety, I give you my extended version of the above saying –

An apple a day keeps the doctor away; a crossword a day keeps Alzheimer's at bay!

                                            

 

Yes people! While getting healthy involves the process of exercising and developing the muscles in our bodies, the focus shouldn't only be on the physical aspect, but should include mental health as well.

 

Remember, the neural pathways in our brains are just as important as the physical muscles.

 

Physical exercise is very important. Different forms of of exercise work for different people. Not every body is cut out to go to the gym, or go running/jogging. I love to dance. That works for me. Every weekend, at my gig, I get the chance to dance. This has physical as well as social benefits, so for me, it's a win-win situation!

Eating "sensibly" is also very important. My motto is "everything in moderation". This involves self-discipline! Why have two slices of cake when you can have one? I also try, in my own little way, to maintain certain good habits: bran flakes or weetbix in the morning; NO fizzy/gassy cooldrinks (yes, that means no Coke at all); a teaspoon of honey a day; garlic is a must in your diet; rooibos tea instead of too much coffee (struggling with this one…)

As I mentioned, mental health is also important! There are numerous simple "brain" exercises that you can perform, to keep you "mentally sharp" as your brain ages. You can work the following into your daily routine, with minimum effort:

1. for improving memory skills – choose a song you don't know and then memorize the lyrics (I do it all the time as part of my work)

2. for improving attention – routine changes work well; vary your route to work or re-organize your desk; combine activities such as listening to an audio book while you jog/fold the laundry.

3. for improving visual-spatial ability – walk into a room and identify five items and where they are located; two hours later, try to remember the items and their exact locations

4. for improving logic-reasoning skills – all you video gamers out there should have no problem in this respect!

If you forget all the above, then here are some simple points!

~ laugh people… laugh till your sides hurt!

~ remember, two pieces of chocolate are better than five pieces… and you'll have left overs for the next day!

~ quit smoking!

~ drink water!

~ read… read… read…

And then there's the issue of psychological, emotional, social health… but that would probably require another two or three bloghops…

This blog hop is brought to you by the following people: Alex J. Cavanaugh, L.Diane Wolfe, Stephen Tremp, Michael Di Gesu.

72 Comments

  1. Tyrean on May 29, 2013 at 1:57 pm

    Love your tips! I love dance too, and find moving to music to be uplifiting and good exercise. Also, I love the mental workout you mention – memorizing song lyrics is fun!

     

     

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 7:44 pm

      I'm always learning lyrics of new songs, to add to my ever-increasing repertoire. Actually, I love learning new lyrics. It's exciting, because I also stumble upon new words!

  2. Suzanne on May 29, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    Hi, all really valid 🙂 But only 2 pieces of chocolate, I couldn't do that! I could have none or quite a few, but would find 2 impossible!

    #toc, .toc, .mw-warning { border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); background-color: rgb(249, 249, 249); padding: 5px; font-size: 95%; }#toc h2, .toc h2 { display: inline; border: medium none; padding: 0pt; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold; }#toc #toctitle, .toc #toctitle, #toc .toctitle, .toc .toctitle { text-align: center; }#toc ul, .toc ul { list-style-type: none; list-style-image: none; margin-left: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; text-align: left; }#toc ul ul, .toc ul ul { margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 2em; }#toc .toctoggle, .toc .toctoggle { font-size: 94%; }body { font-family: ‘Times New Roman’; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); widows: 2; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0in; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; font-size: 12pt; }table { }td { border-collapse: collapse; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; }
    Suzanne @ <a href=http://suzannes-tribe.blogspot.co.uk>Suzannes Tribe</a>

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 7:48 pm

      Everything in moderation! As difficult as it may be, this also applies to chocolate. LOL Self-discipline is an integral part of staying healthy. So you'll have to learn to cut down the choccies… limit yourself! 🙂

  3. Michael Di Gesu on May 29, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    FANTABULOUS, Michelle!!!!

    YOU hit the MARK on ALL LEVELS! THANK you SO much for your tips… I especially like the brain tips… WE ALL forget to keep our mind healthy. Our minds rule our bodies so why not challenge and exercise it as well.

     

    I will have to put most of your post to memory… LOL. See your tips are working already!

     

    Have a WONDERUFUL day. THANKS AGAIN for joining the HOP!

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 7:50 pm

      Thank you for co-hosting this blog hop. And yes, if our minds are not healthy, then what chance do our bodies have? The two go hand-in-hand!

  4. Julie Luek on May 29, 2013 at 2:08 pm

    I like your long term approach to health. Sometimes it's easy to just focus on the external, but as I age, I realize more and more that healthy is about feeling good for the second half of my life. Great tips here. 

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 7:52 pm

      When we think about health, we do tend to focus on the external, and for lots of people, the focus is weight issues. There are lots of other factors to consider.

  5. Susanne Drazic on May 29, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    Wonderful tips!  Laughter is great for the soul.  Have an AWESOME day!

     

  6. baygirl32 on May 29, 2013 at 2:17 pm

    great tips!  

  7. Rhonda@Laugh-Quotes on May 29, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    Great tips.  I am not a crosswords fan, but I do love the math puzzles.  Suduku or Kakuro and I am happy.  Plus lots of laughs and water.

    Visiting today from the blogfest
    Rhonda @<a href="http://www.laugh-quotes.com&quot; rel="nofollow">Laugh-Quotes.com</a>

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 7:55 pm

      I've tried Soduku. What a challenge! I couldn't make it pass the easy (first) level. Think I should stick to my crosswords…

  8. Madeline Mora-Summonte on May 29, 2013 at 2:30 pm

    Excellent point about keeping our minds healthy as well as our bodies! 🙂

  9. J.L. Campbell on May 29, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    Hi, Michelle,

    Awesome tips.  Lately my memory has been failing me, but I think I'm doing too many things all at once. I probably need to try and complete one thing at a time and give my brain a rest. Enjoy the blogfest!

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 7:57 pm

      Doing millions of things at once? Well, that's the story of my life too… 🙂

  10. S. Katherine Anthony on May 29, 2013 at 3:24 pm

    Oh my gosh, I love that you focused on this aspect of it. I love some of these ideas, I must learn new songs and keep on laughing… awesome 😀

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 7:58 pm

      I'm glad that you found some of these ideas helpful. 🙂

  11. D.V. Sheppard on May 29, 2013 at 4:04 pm

    Good points! I like your focus on mental health. I use the free Lumosity account, and have found it an easy way to help exercise my brain – it's worth checking out for anyone- who like me, feels their wits dulling a wee bit. Oh, and kudos for saying no to sodas. That's fantastic!

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:00 pm

      Lumosity? I'm not familiar with that account. I've never been a fizzy drinker! Actually, I'm not one for iced beverages. Give me my tea. Even during summer.

  12. melanie schulz on May 29, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    Great ideas! Love the laugh one especially.

  13. Sia McKye on May 29, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    Mental health is so important and laughter sure helps that along! I love to dance and sing. I'm always memorizing songs I like to sing. Word games are fun. My son and I play guitar hero too and I love that.

    <a href="http://www.siamckye.blogspot.com">Sia McKye OVER COFFEE</a>

     

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:02 pm

      It sounds like you have a variety of activities that help to keep you in good shape – both physically and mentally! Good for you Sia!

  14. S.P.Bowers on May 29, 2013 at 4:51 pm

    Mental, physical and emotional health all play off each other.  If we dont' have some sort of balance in all of them it can really affect our overall happiness and well being.  Thanks for the prod about mental health.

     

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:04 pm

      They are all interdependent. I so agree that balance is the key-word!

  15. Alex J. Cavanaugh on May 29, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    Crossword puzzles for mental health- excellent tip! I do the New York Times and USA Today crosswords every day.

    Thanks for participating in our bloghop.

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:06 pm

      I need to do the same. A crossword everyday. Actually, I bought one or two crossword books. Now I need to make use of them!

  16. Al Diaz on May 29, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    Excellent recommendations, Michelle. I'll try those of the memory because my memory fails me more often than not. And I hate misplacing my dwarves every five minutes! 

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:09 pm

      Maybe you could use the dwarves to assist you with visual-spatial ability game! LOL Keep them busy! LOL

  17. DG Hudson on May 29, 2013 at 6:22 pm

    Our mental frame of mind must also be in the right place to start and continue to stay healthy. I reduce amounts like you, and add exercise for mobility and to help with injuries.

    For remembering I use memory hooks. I  identify something that I'll use to remember a particular thing, then I say it out loud (so the brain can incorporate my intention). It works for me most of the time.

    Enjoyed your post. I'm not a big swimmer either.

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:11 pm

      Memory hooks sounds like a great way to improve memory! Something like association-styled games.

  18. Sydney Aaliyah Michelle on May 29, 2013 at 7:27 pm

    I heard playing video games and logic games were a good way to keep your mind strong.  That's how I can justify playing words with friends and spider solitaire.

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:13 pm

      I'm not a video-gamer… at all!  Spider solitaire? I've never played it. Something to check out.

  19. Mary on May 29, 2013 at 8:32 pm

    Apples are very good for the teeth. 🙂 I was just reading in Scientific American about a link between olive oil and reduced Alzheimers. So, I make sure to cook with some everyday now. Husband Unit will probably make me quit reading it soon, because it's always freaking me out about something related to food. lol Last month it was nanopowders on food.

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:16 pm

      I remember your post about nanopowders on food… 🙂

  20. Stina Lindenblatt on May 29, 2013 at 9:55 pm

    I need to try the song trick, except first I have to figure out the lyrics. You'd be amazed how off I can be when I attempt to sing along with the song.

     

    I used to love going to dance clubs in university and dance all night.

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:19 pm

      When we were in our early twenties (a long, long, long time ago…) I remember there was a dance-marathon called a Six-To-Six, where we'd dance from 6 p.m. to a.m… not non-stop, of course… basically it was an all-night disco… 🙂

  21. natalie on May 29, 2013 at 10:02 pm

    I like number three "walk into a room and identify etc."  Have not heard that one before, thanks for the tip!

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:22 pm

      And what's nice is that these mental exercises require no preparation or costs… they're just done in the moment!

  22. Nas on May 29, 2013 at 11:53 pm

    Great tips. I just took up yoga and zumba.

     

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:24 pm

      Both? Yoga and zumba? Congrats Nas. It should keep you going… you'll be extra-fit in no time!

  23. Ella on May 30, 2013 at 2:11 am

    Great tips!  I need more puzzles, but writing poetry sometimes fills that bill, lol

    I love how you covered all the bases
    😀

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:25 pm

      Yes, I'm certain writing poetry is an excellent mental evercise! It can be quite puzzling… 🙂

  24. Beverly on May 30, 2013 at 2:54 am

    Yay! yay! yay! *Bev cheers for you and your love of dance* I LOVE dance. I don’t do it myself unless all the blinds are closed and there’s no one around, but I love it nonetheless. I applaud you and your dancing ability!

    This is the second post I’ve seen highlighting the importance of mental/brain health. It’s a good point and I’m grateful for the quick and easy tricks to keep my mind agile. Thanks, Michelle!

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:28 pm

      Oh Bev, I had a good laugh! Now why on earth are you dancing behind closed blinds? 🙂 The physical and mental are intertwined. And the tricks are not too difficult or time-consuming. They slip easily into your daily routine.

  25. Ruth on May 30, 2013 at 3:36 am

    My dad sits around and does Soduko and plays yahtzee with my mom when he is not out in the garden and he is as sharp as a tack. I am 30 years younger than him and I can't figure out how to do a Soduko.

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:31 pm

      Your dad reminds me of my 84 year old mom. She's in good mental shape. She often remembers things that I've long forgotten! I struggle with Soduku, can't get pass the first level!

  26. Jo Murphey on May 30, 2013 at 6:29 am

    Actually neural pathways are MORE important than physical ones. Without neural pathways there wouldn't be a physical one. Ask me, I'm recovering from a stroke. Of all the things I lost with my stroke; it's my mind I miss the most.

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:33 pm

      You seem very upbeat and positive, Jo. And a positive attitude takes you a long way. Don't ever underestimate the power of positive thinking! You'll get there… a step at a time… 🙂

  27. Suzanne Furness on May 30, 2013 at 7:31 am

    I love to dance too! Used to go to classes for ballroom, salsa, jive etc but the group closed down last year and haven't got back into the swing of it again.

    Be happy stay healthy 🙂

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:34 pm

      My hubby and I also attended some of those classes about two years ago! It was such fun! 🙂

  28. Rachna Chhabria on May 30, 2013 at 7:59 am

    Love your tips Michelle. I too have heard that brain exercises in the form of crossword puzzles and sudoku keep Alzeimers at bay.  Like you I follow the path of moderation in my diet and try to include garlic and curry leaves which are important Indian ingredients.

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:40 pm

      We cook lots of curry. Garlic and fresh curry leaves are the best in the food. I've discovered that moderation is the way to go. You have to be sensible about it. Eat whatever you want to, but limit yourself. Self-discipline is key!

  29. Trisha on May 30, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    I'm so glad I never started smoking – if my inclination to eat chocolate and other crap foods at various times is any indicator I'd have a hard time trying to quit cigarettes! Luckily, though, I've always hated the smell of them.

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:44 pm

      I'm proud to say that I've never smoked… not one cigarette in my life! Cigarette smoke permeates everything around you. It's such a yucky thing!  My hubby started smoking after giving it up for 7 years! I could have strangled him!

  30. Stephen Tremp on May 30, 2013 at 4:01 pm

    I love doing crossowrd puzzles! I thought I was the only left who likes to do them. Great for the brain and increase one's vocabulary.

    And thanks for participating in the Blog Hop! 

    • Michelle Wallace on May 30, 2013 at 8:46 pm

      Give me an "old-fashioned" crossword over a "modern" Soduku… anyday! Thanks for co-hosting this bloghop Stephen.

  31. Hilary on May 31, 2013 at 7:21 am

    Hi Michelle .. all good ideas – one size doesn't fit all.  I'm into doing Pilates and some Qigong .. and getting to stretch my legs out with a walk .. thankfully I've always eaten well .. not just cutting down, and I hate fizzy drinks … so lots of water has always been easy.

    My blog has kept my brain in tact .. it's been an amazing educator .. and I don't follow a theme, so always ring the changes … 

    This blog hop should help loads of us … enjoy the summer – cheers Hilary

    • Michelle Wallace on May 31, 2013 at 11:43 pm

      Hilary, you have a wonderful energy! And your blog is unique… there are so many different topics on offer at your place… 🙂

  32. Gina on May 31, 2013 at 5:57 pm

    These are great tips! I have to work on my water (I drink Coke instead, which is bad).

    • Michelle Wallace on May 31, 2013 at 11:46 pm

      Confession – I also have to work on my water. *sighs* I just can't seem to get it going. But at least I don't drink the fizzy stuff. 🙂

  33. L. Diane Wolfe on May 31, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    I am terrible at crosswords, but I dod start my day with a game of Scrabble. Gets my mind going.

    • Michelle D Evans on May 31, 2013 at 10:33 pm

      Hello!

      this is a great post… Health is so important. Love your thoughts. Xx

      • Michelle Wallace on May 31, 2013 at 11:49 pm

        It's nice to meet another Michelle! *waving* Thanks for coming over.

    • Michelle Wallace on May 31, 2013 at 11:48 pm

      I haven't played Scrabble in AGES… need to remedy this…

  34. Medeia Sharif on June 1, 2013 at 5:30 pm

    Even though I consider myself sharp, I'd like to do more mental exercises and games. 

    • Michelle Wallace on June 2, 2013 at 9:03 am

      Medeia, your reading abilities prove that you are sharp! Do you speed read?

      • Medeia Sharif on June 6, 2013 at 5:29 am

        I can, but I prefer to read at a slower pace for enjoyment. 

  35. Deanie Humphrys-Dunne on June 20, 2013 at 3:02 am

    Great ideas, thanks for sharing them!

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