ageing well | Silver Magazine

Mind

The art of being patient

In the West, the search for pleasure can extract a heavy price. There is a better way; brahmacharya. The fourth concept of the Yamas, or social code of ethics as outlined by Yoga philosophy, is brahmacharya. Directly translated from Sanskrit as “continence,” brahmacharya describes the responsibility to restrain sensual pleasures (distractions of the mind) in an effort to preserve and therefore expand our energy. By withholding our sexual energy we increase pranic energy and therefore become stronger both mentally and physically. Over time, the definition of brahmacharya has expanded and shifted. It is now more often tied to the idea of moderation, which is how it is most often practiced today in the west. Moderation allows us to enjoy the pleasures of life without going too far. A little extravagance here and there, but then come back to discipline. I think this fits nicely into much of our lives. Party all weekend, study all week. Or

Lisa Greenbaum April 22, 2021

Longevity

What can Jane Fonda do?

Answer: a lot. At 82, Jane Fonda is still an activist, this time trying to save the planet. Actress, author, feminist, health advocate, she has lived many lives – and is still a work in progress. The rest of us had better keep up. Jane Fonda is 82 and still getting arrested, still demanding the world change, me included, as I fumble to set up my camera. “I am just preparing you for the future,” she says, meaning in this case not global warming, which is what we are down to talk about today, but future Zoom interviews. She is in the living room of her Spanish-inspired villa in the gated community in Los Angeles where she has lived alone since she separated from the record producer Richard Perry three years ago. The Hollywood star of On Golden Pond and The China Syndrome is a bestselling author. Her books range

Andrew Billen December 4, 2020

Health

Key factors affecting heart health

The heart never takes a break. It is the ultimate survivor. Even if you are physically drained and exhausted, your heart keeps pumping at about 4,800 beats per hour. But it is not invincible. Taking care of your heart should not be taken lightly. Heart disease is the leading cause of premature death in Canada and globally, according to the 2017 Global Burden of Disease study. While there are multiple causes of heart diseases, health conditions such as diabetes and obesity play an important role. Diabetes increases heart disease risk Adults with diabetes are four times more likely to die of heart disease or stroke compared to those without diabetes, according to the American Heart Association. The alarming statistics indicate that diabetes and cardiovascular diseases have a direct connection. Cardiovascular diseases refer to conditions that involve narrowed or constricted blood vessels, which can lead to chest pain, heart attack, or

Sonia Jhas October 13, 2020

Health

Herbal aids for menopause symptoms

First, women have to deal with menstrual cramps. Then, they have to manage life with health issues related to menopause. Whether women are working through perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause, there are herbal remedies that can improve their daily lives. Before beginning an herbal-remedy regimen, women should talk to their pharmacist or health care provider. Not all herbal remedies are regulated, and they could have varying levels of pesticides or other unnecessary ingredients. Your health care provider should be able to advise you on the best brands. Some women work with an herbalist to get the blend just right for their menopausal symptoms. Black Cohosh Stated by Your Herbal Remedies Guide, one of the most touted herbal remedies for menopause symptoms is black cohosh. Studies have given it mixed results on reducing hot flashes, but many women swear by it for relief. Despite the mixed results on its efficacy, black cohosh

Alex Hurst July 15, 2020

Mind

The importance of self-care

Self-care is an activity that we do to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Although it’s a simple concept in theory, it’s something we very often overlook. Here’s how to put you first. In today’s day and age, it’s easy to neglect taking care of ourselves because we’re just so busy all the time. We’ve got a ton of things to juggle—from trying to excel at work, managing our relationships, to handling our kids and pets, and striving to maintain some sort of social media presence. It’s a lot to handle, and usually the first thing to fall off the to-do list is self-care. Most of us grew up believing that the more you sacrifice, the bigger the reward. In fact, for many of us, the idea of taking a break to eat a proper lunch, or exercise, or hang out with friends feels a lot like “slacking,” even though

Sonia Jhas June 22, 2020

Mind

5 ways to boost your self-confidence

Building self-confidence takes time and effort but when we do it helps us achieve our dreams. It’s no surprise that self-confidence is crucial to succeeding in every sphere of life. People often try unsuccessfully to boost confidence through various psychological methods, not realizing there are simple remedies to build self-worth. Self-doubt is common but not useful. Building self-confidence takes time and effort but when we do it helps us achieve our dreams. A Guide on how to build self confidence Aromatherapy Essential oils have been used for decades to calm the body and the mind. To feel inspired, try using rosemary oil. It makes you feel invigorated and acts as a nourishment for your soul. When you are relaxed and calm, you feel more in control of your emotions and actions. Consequently, your self-confidence gets a leg-up. Aromatherapy is known to take your mind to a place where you could

Erika Long June 18, 2020

Mind

How to train your brain

Neuroplasticity is the key to a creative and productive life. How flexible is the brain? How readily can it adapt as a person develops and experiences new environments? How does it deal with aging and the stresses and strains of daily life? It turns out that the brain is a dynamic structure that is flexible and subject to change. This quality is called neuroplasticity. While growth depends on age and other conditions, grooming and growing a brain is the project of a lifetime. Neurons (nerve cells) and glial cells (support cells of neurons) transform through a process called neurogenesis. These cells increase their number and connections throughout your life depending on the stimulation of your environment. The old model of the brain as a piece of clay that is mouldable is replaced by an image of the brain as a living matrix with neurons moving trying to make connections with

Grace Szucs June 15, 2020

Healthy Recipes

Comforting meatless meatloaf

Growing up, my mom always served meatloaf for our family dinners. When I asked her today why that is, she replied “It was easy, fast and the only way I could sneak vegetables into your diets.” Classic! I find myself doing that today as a mother myself and meatloaf is a great way to do this. The combinations are endless, if you don’t want to use veggie ground, you could swap for lentils, or meat if you are not a vegan or vegetarian! MAKES 8 | TAKES 50 MINS INGREDIENTS 1lb veggie ground (or protein of your choice) 1 cup cooked quinoa 1⁄2 white onion, chopped 1 large carrot, peeled and minced 2 celery stalks, minced 1 egg, or vegan flax egg 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, or vegan option 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp Italian seasoning 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp dried oregano 1⁄2 can organic tomato sauce

Andrea Saliba June 4, 2020

Health

Building a healthy relationship with food

How to embrace NO DIETS or FOOD RESTRICTIONS, and create a HEALTHY, LASTING RELATIONSHIP with food. First things first: Diets don’t work. The last thing our world needs is another diet. Diet culture leaves us feeling unworthy of experiences because of our weight, body shame, or lack of food control. We’re constantly surrounded by poor body messages that tells us to restrict ourselves to feel happy, worthy, and even loved. That needs to change. With intuitive eating principles and a shifted mindset you’ll have the opportunity to feel free when it comes to your relationship with food and truly feel like yourself again. If you’re like me, you’ve tried every diet with little success. I’ve gone from diet to diet, restricting myself from certain foods or taking unnatural supplements to see results. But the truth is, when I finally reached my “goal” weight, I still felt disappointed, unfulfilled and starved, both mentally and

Jessica Clerke May 25, 2020