Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
HEALTHFUL HABITS
Keeping mind, body strong
February is heart health month and residents of Kendal~Crosslands Communities, a life plan community located in Kennett Square, share their healthy secrets to not only keep their heart strong, but their minds and bodies as well.
Susanna Davison
I’ve included exercise as part of my daily routine for many years. When I retired, I was given a book titled “Strong Women Stay Slim” and ever since, I’ve added musclebuilding exercises to my routine. I lift hand weights in my home and benefit from toned muscles. I like to walk as well. I do a lot of walking around the campus and I especially enjoy walking in the city. Overcoming a natural tendency to sit too much is very important for overall health. In the Fall of 2016, I participated in a group study on mindfulness meditation aimed at Mindful Based Stress Reduction. As part of the study, physiological samplings were taken before and after the class to measure the effectiveness of the program. Ever since, I’ve included meditation practices most days before breakfast. My blood pressure has benefitted! I regularly gather with a few friends who also participated in the study. We gather, meditate together, and simply check in with one another on life happenings. There is a tremendous amount of support here. You have the camaraderie of interacting with neighbors reinforces regular practices to provide a healthy life.
Jim Curtis
Don’t ask me to play basketball,
run, walk, bike, or participate in an exercise class. I confess, my coordination skills need some work. But, yoga was finally a way I could practice healthy habits and I’ve been practicing yoga since the 1970s. In my community, I participate in a group yoga class on Friday afternoons. But, it doesn’t end there. I also do yoga in my cottage. And, with today’s digital savvy world, you can find on You Tube some yoga instruction. In our American culture, we think that exercise is strictly about moving faster and stronger but yoga provides a wonderful stillness, a tremendous amount of flexibility, and my body is better because of it. Since I am a practicing Buddhist, my spiritual practices are part of my healthy life. I can select a quiet spot and meditate and it helps provide insight, stillness, quietness of mind, temporary reprieve from suffering, inner peace, and helps me on the path to enlightenment. I don’t eat red meat nor do I drink soft drinks but wine with dinner is great. My healthy habits are heart, body, and mind benefitting.
Les Small
I love to swim, and usually swim about three quarters of a mile 3-4 times per week The pool where I live is a salt water pool, which is really great, as it avoids the harshness of chlorine. I’ve always led an active lifestyle, and I continue to do many different types of activities, from bicycling to walking to hiking to gardening. I took up Tai Chi a number of years ago, beginning with the “24 form.” Then I learned the “37 form” at the local YMCA, where I continue to take classes to refine my techniques. I regularly practice the form at home as part of my exercise routine before breakfast However, I do enjoy the camaraderie of other people, which is motivating and social, and a group of us get together once a week to practice the Tai Chi form. Afterwards we sit to meditate together. Healthy habits take discipline. I am also a vegetarian, with a mainly plant based diet. I think my holistic approach to food and exercise keeps me moving, limber and healthy.
Mary Barlow
Hiking is great exercise. In addition to hiking on the paths in the woods where I live, there are several local natural preserves and hiking groups you can join. I have walking poles and they are helpful to keep balance, walk faster and stronger, and help me not to fall. During the colder weather, exercise classes keep me in shape and ready to get out and hike, bike, and kayak. There are local parks, streams, reservoirs, rail-trails and bike paths free from traffic. Afterwards, in the summer, I can swim in our outdoor pool to cool off. I have variety and that is helpful not to be bored. I also enjoy the camaraderie of other people and as a result, I don’t necessarily think of it as exercise rather gathering with friends and its fun. And even my family, when they visit, we move more together. I have the best of all exercise worlds. Keeping myself physically fit provides me the ability to do things that I didn’t think I could do. My philosophy is that the more active you are, the less difficulties you’ll have. When you exercise, you get positive feelings and keeping fit is very satisfying.