Reflections: Morning routine for shoulders, games for better cognition, one of one - Dolly Parton
- 42 minutes ago
- 5 min read
My August Reflection
Be consistent , not perfect. That phrase has given me pause. It's a perfect concept when there is not a perfect person to be sure. Sitting with that meaning, it really speaks to me. One area that I have been consistent (and not perfect...) is my morning routine. It has evolved and broadened over the years but what remains true is that I do it every morning.
It's a great tool that allows you to be consistent and it sets you up for the day. I do it first thing in the morning as that is my time, my priority. I recommend morning routines to my clients as you can better control the morning than the rest of your day.
Quick Note
Thorne, a respected practitioner in the supplement arena, has said it has agreed to sell to Procter and Gamble for 3.8 billion dollars. I mention this primarily because I have recommended Thorne for supplement needs to clients and friends. They historically were a heavily respected company that put much thought and research into what they did. That will change as the giant machine churns. So, if you have Thorne supplements they should be good for at least a couple of months. After that, I will withdraw my recommendation for purchasing supplements from them.
Body - Morning Routine - Part I
I've been getting a lot of interest lately in what I do for my morning routine. It has evolved over the years so when I include my whole routine, it can be a little daunting. Fear not. Let's start at the beginning and get this first part down. This is a shoulder warm-up. I first came upon this when I was having some shoulder issues. I've been doing this ever since.
The video includes the following arm movements (hopefully in this order...)
Gators
I, Y, T's (like it sounds, make those letters cheerleader style)
Arm circles forward with thumbs forward
Arm circle backward with thumbs backwards
Windmill rotations - wide stance, arms out, twist to one side touching one hand to the other
Chicken wing - make a fist, thumbs pointing down, fists next to temple, rotate elbows together
Gorilla arm swings
Shoulders rotate backwards
No suppers
Gators (we start and finish with Gators - notice how much easier it is to move the arms)
Challenge for you:
Where can you improve the consistency of a movement practice? Start by watching my video.
Mind - Help the brain with...games
Last time we looked at improving brain function through movement. Now we dust off some of those board games from the back of the closet.
I read this from Arnold's Pump Club (yes, that Arnold). Older adults who regularly play games that stimulate the mind do better on thinking and memory tests than those who don't. A meta-analysis of 10 trials looked at games such as Mahjong, cards, and chess to see how they impacted the brain.
The games appeared to improve executive function, overall cognition, planning, and focus. Those type of results were seen in both healthy people and those showing early signs of cognitive decline.
Further, games like those studied, activate your brain by requiring you to remember the rules, plan ahead, and adapt to your opponents. This type of mental exercise can build your cognition, which can help fight age-related decline.
Challenge for you:
Gather your family and friends for a game night. Have fun revisiting some of your favorite games or learn something new.
Spirit - Hello Dolly...and goodbye...
As the world over is processing our loss, I would like to spend some time talking a little bit about Dolly. I don't need to provide the last name of an icon that literally graced us with her presence, kindness, and genuine goodness.
Forgiveness - One story I remember hearing or reading about a long time ago was how when visiting her then manager in the hospital, one who ruthlessly stole from her and deceived her, Dolly forgave him. The woman who was dirt poor, had absolutely nothing, had pulled herself up from her bootstraps (if only she had boots), showed mercy when no one would have blamed her for being upset or taking some aggressive action. Instead, Dolly chose to forgive.
Gratitude - She was always grateful. Ask Julia Roberts. She will tell you that on the set of Steel Magnolias, under very warm conditions, even when the crew asked the "stars" if they needed anything to drink, etc. Dolly said she was fine. When asked about it, she said that growing up with nothing, I don't ever complain about not having something. Dolly consistently didn't complain, she was grateful for what she had.
Prayer - Singer, songwriter, Brandi Carlile recalls a time when Dolly held her face in her hands and prayed over her. Brandi said that moment "made her believe in God again" and left her forever changed. I would say Dolly was consistent in her prayer life and never stopped loving Jesus.
Interesting fact, Dolly died on the feast day of St. Genesius. Katie Prejean MacGrady explains, Dolly Parton died on the feast of St. Genesius, the patron saint of actors and musicians who, in the midst of performing a mock baptism in a play before the Emperor Diocletian, had a conversion, professed Christianity, and was executed for it.
St. Genesius could not proclaim anything but Jesus the moment he knew Christ to be true, and in the words of Dolly Parton, “I don’t cuss and I don’t make fun of Jesus.”
Challenge for you:
Let's take a page from Dolly's life. Let's strive to have hearts and minds full of kindness and let's not cuss or make fun of Jesus. Let's be consistent with that.
Quote I read from James Clear's newsletter
Country music star and philanthropist Dolly Parton on making things better:
"I was born with a happy heart. I've always tried to let that shine even during my dark times. I'm one of those people who, even if things are not right, goes about trying to make it as right as I can rather than just lying around on my ass and wallowing in it all day. I think, "Well, I can either do this or I can do that." I choose to get up and try to make it better if I can...
Of course, I try to improve every day. If there's a better outfit, I want to wear it. If there's a better song, I want to write it. If there's a better record, I want to record it. If there's a better movie, I want to make it. I will continue to be as good as I can be. And I intend to keep coming up with new ideas all the time."
Source: Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones
To your reflection and health,
Lisa Schaffer
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