Inspirational and Health Writing Samples

It has been a long while since I have published here but now that I am back, I have so much more to share about the past two years, including some lessons I learned about aging.

In future posts, you will see some insights from my journeys, events, clinical and educational experiences, and more.

Healthy and natural aging is one of my favorite topics and the core premise of this blog. Like most of us in our fifties, we have earned the badge of experience in what we did right and what we could have done better…or ugh… what we wish we did! But we will focus forward. In the meantime, these five lessons I learned could help you or someone you know reap the benefits sooner rather than later.

Meditation and Breathwork

The health benefits of quieting your mind regularly and drawing your breath down to your core were not discovered until my late thirties. But I did not take it seriously as a practice until well into my forties. Had I started earlier, I may have avoided countless stress-related episodes and migraines which set me back from progress. Pranayama, the Ayurvedic breathwork remains my technique of choice because this ancient practice works at a deep level of mind-body health and personally helps me with sleep, anxiety, and respiratory issues.

Drinking More Water

This one is likely the most common aging lesson learned the hard way. Common conditions from insufficient water intake include headaches, fatigue, and constipation. Today, in the era of anti-aging and trying to reverse “that clock”, we know drinking plenty of water flushes toxins out of your body, and promotes a healthier gut which results in clearer, problem-free skin. Hydration also helps with the production of collagen (the building block protein for bones, muscles, and supporting structures as well as your skin and hair).

Adding Collagen to My Diet

If I only started this earlier, I may not be as concerned about my joint health, bone strength, skin, and hair. While I have maintained a healthy diet, I did not incorporate a substantial amount of collagen-building foods and supplements until recently. It is never too late to change your diet for the better but the earlier you commit, the better the outcome after 50. Good sources of collagen include bone broth, organ meats, sardines, salmon, beef, and chicken.

If you are a people pleaser or an empath, breaking the pattern of autopilot responses to everyone’s requests is a tough one. We forget how much energy and time it costs us, and this can leave less reserves to work on ourselves. Living and working consciously is a skill that takes time to learn and practice effortlessly. Forget about mastering it right now. That may or may not come but start with this progression. They say time is money… true. But time is healthy, too. Putting more time into your health and less into nonproductive things sets the stage for you to make better decisions.

Realizing I Had a Choice

This one is simple. Choosing to slow down aging is a consequence of your daily actions. Your daily habits determine the success rate of reaching your goals, whether it is thinning your waistline or being able to function daily without brain fog. Making decisions because they were the norm and not intentionally for your purpose could be counterproductive to your progress in life, health, or work. I designed a goal roadmap workbook and checklist to keep me focused on myself and my journey. You can find it on Amazon by clicking this link!

At a certain point in our lives, we suddenly wake up and realize we may have fewer years ahead than behind us. Life is truly short but not meant to live with regrets.

Staying conscious of your choices, actions, and surroundings helps put everything in perspective and prompts you to let go of what does not serve you and shift towards the good things within reach.

Between my personal experience and that in several years of practice, there are more than five lessons, and I will share more in the coming articles and posts on my social media. The background story and behind-the-scenes content are sent out to my newsletter subscribers. Feel free to join my free news community by clicking here.

If you are new to this blog and the challenges of healthy, natural aging interest you, post a comment below and share any lessons you learned along the way. If you are under 30, what is your biggest concern about what lies ahead on your journey?

Wishing you much health and bliss every day,

Resources:

YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/drmelanieyoutube

Books by Dr. Melanie on Amazon: https://bit.ly/drmelanieauthor

Ayurveda and Coaching: https://bit.ly/coachingwithdrmelanie