Spend enough time on the internet or social media and you’ll undoubtedly run into the think pieces about how America and the rest of the world will look when “we come out of this.” Some have written how health care will improve or no longer be tied to one’s workplace.
Others have discussed how an improved work-life balance will improve with more options for tele-commuting and less on red tape and mindless, bureaucratic hoops workers will have to jump through.
Yes, and better health care. Always better health care.
I have a few thoughts, too, though not necessarily of the think-piece variety. Instead, my are more off-the-cuff ideas that might gain momentum when we come out of this reset. For instance:
1. Health care. Duh. It’s a right, not a privilege. If a criminal can get an attorney, why can’t a sick person see a doctor? Moreover, what moral authority gives an insurance company the right to deny any treatment to anyone? Enough of the bullshit on denying health care to everyone already. Enough.
2. Better housing. This might come as part of improved care for the elderly in full care and assisted-living. However, it comes, people need affordable housing and we need housing that provides enough space for people to be healthy and access to the outdoors.
3. Unchecked capitalism. Yeah, this theory is over. For too long Americans have been taught that we have to moral and just, but we also have to get as much as we can and beat the other guy so we can amass more, more and more. Perhaps we can finally realize we are all on the same team? Sure, some people should earn more because of their ability, skills, education and hard work. But let’s not be pigs. Just because we have the idea that the world is a rat race, it doesn’t make it OK to be a rat.
4. People will pay more attention to their everyday health. This is the big one. Whether that means more people will develop lifelong exercise habits or will be much more mindful about what they put into their bodies, personal health has a chance to really take off. Over the last two months I have seen more people outdoors running, walking, riding a bike and just blowing off steam. Whether that translates into healthy habits and eating is the unknown, but it seems like it should happen. Why? People probably don’t have the chance to eat crappy food in the breakroom at work. Nor are they stopping on the way home to dash through the drive thru. Sure, some might be ordering out a little more, but probably not for three meals a day. This is important because a ridiculous amount of diseases and conditions are formed by people’s eating habits.
5. Anxiety and depression will increase. This is a given. But perhaps we can finally improve our mental health? Let’s hope so.
In terms of healthiness, today, I read the newsletter from Dr. David Sinclair, an anti-aging innovator, and he offered some advice. Here’s what he wrote:
My advice to a friend was to get in the best physical and mental shape these next couple of months:
* Maintain cardio fitness, which will increase capillary and red blood cell counts. Lift weights if possible. Move.
* Don’t be low in iron but also don’t overdose.
* Keep taking your medicines unless an MD says to stop.
* Eat less often during the day. I skip at least one meal, usually breakfast, and eat sensibly at other meals.
* Avoid super intense exercise or long-term fasting.
* Take 2500 - 5000 IU of vitamin D3 a day, which doctors say keeps your immune system in good shape.
* Keep blood sugar levels in check by avoiding sugar and processed grains.
* Focus on plants. Meats should include fish, preferably on the low end of the food chain to avoid heavy metals.
* Eat colored plants, either fresh or snap-frozen, and don’t overcook them. They contain xenohormetic molecules that activate cell defenses.
* Include nuts, avocado, and olive oil in your diet. Oleic acid from these foods will activate SIRT1, the defense enzyme, the same way resveratrol does (fasting also liberates oleic acid from fat stores).
* Keep humidity up in the home to maintain airway health and mucus. If your house isn’t humidified, get a humidifier for the bedroom.
* Turn off breaking news channels. Read a book. Listen to a podcast. Make something.
* Get sufficient sleep. Consider L-theanine. Avoid screens at night. Avoid big meals and alcohol near bedtime. Download f.lux software to dim the screens. If you use your phone in bed, wear blue-light blocking glasses.
Dr. Sinclair is someone I pay attention to a lot. A frequent guest on many podcasts and the author of a new book on aging, Sinclair’s ideas not only make sense, but also are very smart and easy to follow. So, yes, Dr. Sinclair is my guy. Look him up.
Meanwhile, I have changed a few habits – adding and subtracting – in my never-ending quest for personal perfection. One change has been the addition of breakfast (rarely did I ever eat breakfast aside from some tea and a Clif Bar). In addition to green tea, I make a smoothie every morning that packs in a day’s worth of vitamins and healthy stuff.
Nope, I’m not going to keep it to myself. Here it is:
Morning smoothie (serves one)
- 1 banana
- 2 handfuls of blueberries
- 4 strawberries
- 12 ice cubes
- 1 tablespoon of flax seeds
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
- Splash of orange juice
- Three spoonsful of Greek yogurt
- 1 scoop of Chiroflex superfood powder
- Raw honey
Throw all that in a blender and mix it together for two minutes. You can stir in the flax and chia after the blender does its number on the other ingredients. Or, you can skip the seeds altogether. The same goes for the superfood powder. Or, if there is another powder you prefer (Athletic Greens, et al), go ahead and use that. The Chiroflex powder is pretty sweet, which I like. It also is packed with vitamins and essential nutrients, which I also like. Some people might even add kale or whatever else type of green they prefer. That just seems like a different drink to me.
Additionally, I have thought about adding a tablespoon of natural peanut or almond butter to the mix, but I haven’t gotten there yet. Instead, I just lick it off the spoon. This might be better because I really like raw peanut and almond butter.
Of course, this hasn’t replaced my green tea habit, which is as strong as ever. I am also sampling as many green tea varieties and brands as possible, and just got to The People’s Green Tea, by The Republic of Tea. That’s my favorite these days. I think I’m sticking with this one.
Anyway, there’s some things. If you have any suggestions or ideas, send them my way. I am always curious about new ideas and people’s habits and thoughts on these regards.
xoxoxoxxox