Sunday, April 15, 2012

How sound a mind? How sound a body?

Research proves that learning new skills, multi-tasking and keeping active builds new synapse or pathways in the brain.  Sort of a reverse on “teaching old dogs new tricks.”  Research also proves that physical activity including cardio and strength work outs helps us keep our balance, improve bone density and keeps us healthier longer.  Of course we can quote Rita Ruder who said that the word aerobics came about when the gym instructors got together and said, "If we're going to charge $10 an hour, we can't call it jumping up and down.“

Writing this blog is part of my new skills regime.  Coming up with readable language on subjects relative to the Los Angeles Turners and with some interest to others requires reaching into my ethnic depths and exploring lexiconic heights. 

My work out regimen, while progressing beyond the ouch stage, now produces those feel-good endorphins, but is not yet something I have budgeted time for.  While it’s making me feel taller by the day, it’s still hard to do it as regularly as I should.        

All this leads up to how sound a mind in a sound body do I really need?  Am I doing too much or not enough?  Is sitting down to read for an hour or watch TV a waste of time?  Is spreading myself across several non-profit boards excessive?  I’m sleeping perfectly, my diet is quite healthy.  Am I becoming obsessive?  Is sounding my mind and body becoming addictive?  Of course not, it’s all part of being retired – not enough time in the day.

Why then, did I actually pour water into the toaster instead of the coffee pot?