Aging Like a Guru | So, you think you are losing your marbles, eh?

— from Rosie Kuhn —

Sliding into dementia, senility, Alzheimer’s — call it what you will — is one of those fears that rates high on most people’s lists of Aging Worries. It’s part of the fear of losing independence. People even in their 30s are worrying about dementia and losing their mental faculties. So, what exactly is dementia? In a nutshell, it includes memory loss, disorientation, confusion, and the decline in thinking and memory skills that may interfere with a person’s normal daily activities and social relationships.

An interesting fact – only 1 in 10 people 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease. This means that 90% of that population don’t have Alzheimer’s. For people 85 and older – the number rises to about 32%. That still means that of this population, 68% of the people won’t have it!

So, to me, this means that the need to worry about Alzheimer’s doesn’t have to take up so much of our brain activity. Paying attention is good, but the worry — not so good! 

Fun Facts:

A lot of issues that are affecting our cognitive functioning can be caused by things completely unrelated to the dreaded Alzheimer’s Disease. Here is a list of possible causes of reversible memory loss:

• Medications for anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain, seizures, trouble sleeping
• Minor head trauma or injury
• Emotional disorders
• Alcoholism
• Vitamin B-12 deficiency
• Dehydration
• Magnesium deficiency
• Thyroid problems
• Urinary tract infection
• Emotional and physical trauma
• “Foods” We Eat: Sugar, Refined Grains 
• Toxins in our foods, air and water
• Tumors 

If you are worried, see your health practitioner, get some tests run, and take the steps to get clear of what’s causing your symptoms.

Remember that you can make choices that will bring about healthier results for you and your brain. And in doing so you can then relax in knowing you are healthy. Isn’t it good to know that worry and stress are huge contributors to how healthy our brain is and how well it works? That means we have some personal power in this equation. So, how about this: worry less (yes-choose to worry less!), decrease those avenues in your life that contribute to stress (or hire a coach to help you do it), think positive thoughts, and, begin or continue to meditate. (Meditation is now proven to grow the grey matter of our brains.)

And finally, enjoy your capacity to make your life healthy and wonderful today. That’s an exciting adventure, I think. And, have all the fun you are willing to have.

If a retreat is something you are looking for, this upcoming July, Margaret and I will facilitate another fun and playful retreat here on Orcas: 2nd ANNUAL WONDERFUL WOMEN’S CREATIVITY RETREAT: Art from the Heart: July 22-26.  For more information, contact me at: rosie@theparadigmshifts.com, or visit Margaret’s website: www.artransforms.com For more blogs, books, videos, or if you are interested in coaching or training with Dr. Rosie, check out her website: www.theparadigmshifts.com. And her podcast can be found at aginglikeaguru.podbean.com. The book Aging Like a Guru – Who Me? and Dr. Rosie’s other books are available at Darvill’s Bookstore, the Cottage Gift Shop, and Amazon.