Fun Sayings

Fun Sayings

It is time to pause and choose to laugh. A good friend of mine sent me these fun sayings and I am enjoying doing just that.

 Somehow, I was under the impression that growing old would take a lot longer.

 My bucket list has only one item in it: keep breathing.

 My doctor asked if anyone in my family suffered from mental illness. I replied, “No, we all seem to enjoy it.”

 Being an adult is the dumbest thing I have ever done.

 Just once, I would like a username and password prompt to say: “Close enough.”

 I heard that the human brain is not designed to multitask. Well, I can listen, ignore, and forget, all at the same time. If that is not multitasking, I do not know what is!

 At my funeral, I want you to take the bouquet off my coffin and throw it into the air. Whoever catches it is next. 

Non-Communicable Diseases & Ultra-processed Food

A study at the Paris-Sorbonne University looked at almost 45,000 middle aged people. Researchers found that eating ultra-processed foods is linked to deaths from heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses. An increased consumption is linked with an increased risk of dying from one of these non-communicable diseases, called non-communicable because they are not contagious. Study author Dr. Laue Schnabel, a nutritional epidemiologist at Paris-Sorbonne University, pointed out that ultra-processed foods contain multiple ingredients. No doubt this is one reason that some say the shorter the list of ingredients the better. The Longevity Lifestyle Matters program advocates eating foods in as close to their natural state as possible. Data is now being made available to support that.

Risk of Early Death – Ultra-processed Foods

A study published in Jama Internal Medicine Journal, reported that there is a 14 percent risk of early death linked with  every 10 percent increase in proportions of ultra-processed foods consumed. A 2016 study estimated that nearly 60 percent of calories consumed by Americans come from eating ultra-processed foods. A 2019 study pointed out that ultra-processed foods have become more common worldwide. Estimates are that they now constitute the majority of calories consumed in America. They are being associated with a variety of health problems. According to Bernard Srour, PhD candidate in epidemiology: “In this large observational prospective study, higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with higher risks of cardiovascular, coronary heart, and cerebrovascular diseases.” 

Ultra-Processed Foods

I keep hearing that refined and processed foods are linked with cardiovascular diseases. Now I hear about ultra-processed foods. What in the world are those?

 
What a great question. You obviously are keeping up with emerging research. Generally, refined, and processed foods are those made from white flour, sugar, fats, and often preservatives to increase shelf life. Yes, there are ultra-processed foods, as well. These involve the use of an industrial process, such as heat processing, dehydrating, or adding chemicals. Ultra-processed foods are generally energy dense, rich in refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and salt, and contain low dietary fiber. Examples include mass-produced and packaged snacks, sugary drinks, breads, confectioneries, ready-made meals, processed meats, salty snacks, candies, pastries, foods high in starch, pizza, burgers, etc.  More tomorrow.

Dieting & Obesity

Okay, let’s face it: I am obese. I love to eat. It is my favorite thing to do and I always feel momentarily better after I eat my favorite foods—until I step on the scales (which, by the way no longer register high enough to calculate my weight). My whole family is obese. I figure it is hopeless.

 If you mindset is that developing and maintaining a weight within a recommended range for your age, height, and body structure is hopeless—it is, until you change your mindset and self-talk. Dieting has been found largely ineffective long term. Sure, short term, by doing something radical from your usual daily routine, you can drop a few pounds. Within a space of three years most people gain back everything they lost, often with a higher fat-to-muscle ratio. Developing a Longevity Lifestyle and maintaining it for the rest of your life, is much more likely to give you the results you want.

Obesity and COVID-19

I read that obesity is one of the key factors that increases one’s risk for COVID-19 severity. How could that be for heaven’s sake? “Big is beautiful!”

Big may be beautiful. If it is associated with being ‘big’ due to ‘obesity’, however, it is also dangerous. Obesity is said to be one of the key factors in the development of Type 2 diabetes. Much of obesity—although not all—is related to lifestyle choices. Obesity has been linked with at least 50 health-related conditions. A study in Sweden found that adult obesity in women can lead to brain tissue loss or brain atrophy that can cause brain dysfunction and dementia. There are many references outlining how obesity contributes to decreased health. World Health Organization, for example. Obesity may soon be referred to as a world-wide pandemic.

 Obesity and overweight (who.int) 

COVID-19 & Risk Factors

I keep hearing about three conditions that supposedly increase one's risk for COVID-19 severity if you catch the virus. Have you heard about these so-called risks and do you know what are they?

 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has produced several compilations detailing underlying conditions that can increase one’s risk. Some agencies have selected three of the most serious risks to publicize: Type 2 diabetes, heart/cardiovascular conditions, and obesity. You can access these lists from the following URLs:

 Certain Medical Conditions and Risk for Severe COVID-19 Illness | CDC

Scientific Evidence for Conditions that Increase Risk of Severe Illness | COVID-19 | CDC

Lists based on severity 

Longevity Lifestyle Matters Online - Free

The Longevity Lifestyle Matters 12-week program is now available digitally online. The Institute for Natural Resources has been quoted as saying: It is possible to stay healthier and younger for longer. If you want strategies to help you do this, check Taylor’s Longevity Lifestyle Matters Online program. A new module is released every week for 12 weeks. You may review the material presented on your own schedule at a time that works for you. There is no written material required.

 NOTE: In recognition of the stress triggered by COVID-19, Taylor is making “Longevity Lifestyle Matters Online” available digitally FREE for the next few days. Once you sign up, a new module is released every week for 12 weeks. Take advantage of this while it is free. Tell your friends!

 https://arlenetaylor.org/llm-online

 Nurses can obtain 15 hours of C.E. credit by completing a 13^th module for a fee of $15. There is an open-book test with ongoing access to any of the modules. 

Optimism Linked with Longevity

According to Professor Karen Hooker, study co-author: “Kids as young as 4 years old already have negative stereotypes about old people. Then, of course, if you are lucky enough to live to old age, they eventually apply to you. People need to realize that some of the negative health consequences in later life might not be biologically driven. The mind and the body are all interwoven. If you believe these bad things are going to happen, over time that can erode people’s willingness or maybe even eventually their ability to engage in those health behaviors that are going to keep them as healthy as they can be.” Optimistic people tend to be more positive about aging. They resist typical aging stereotypes. They picture themselves living longer with good mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual (the spirit with which you live life) health. I believe the 20:80 Rule can apply to aging processes, as well. Naturally, some diminution in some abilities may be expected. Think of that as your 20 percent. Your mindset, self-talk, level of optimism, and your chosen lifestyle are your 80 percent. You choose what you do with the 80 percent. If you need a boost with this, check Longevity Lifestyle Matters Online.

 https://arlenetaylor.org/llm-online 

Optimism-Longevity Link

Would you like to live on average almost 8 years longer? I certainly would! The results of a study looking at a link between optimism and longevity was published in The International Journal of Aging and Human Development (Turner & Hooker, 2020). According to the authors, literature has pointed to the saliency of self-perceptions of aging (SPA) to the actual aging processes themselves. Researchers wanted to identify whether two future-oriented constructs—optimism and self-efficacy associated with possible selves—were associated with SPA. In a nutshell, the personality 7.5 years. According to the first study author, Turner, “How we think about who we’re going to be in old age is very predictive of exactly how we will be.” People who imagine themselves more positively at 50-years-old tend to have better health 40 years later. They are less likely to suffer a heart attack, have better memory, greater will to live, and are less likely to die prematurely.  Older people can do some things better than young people do. Picture a future where everything that could go well, has gone well. You are reaching the realistic goals that you have set for yourself. For some, it is even more powerful to describe your future on paper. It is possible to be younger and healthier for longer. More tomorrow.

Application of the 20:80 Rule

Epictetus, the 2nd Century Greek philosopher, reportedly said that only 20 percent of negative stress to the brain and body can be attributed to the event or situation. An estimated 80 percent of the negative stress to one’s brain and body results from what you think about the event or situation, the importance you give to it, and the weight you place upon it. While you may not be able to do anything about the event or situation and its 20 percent contribution, you can do everything about the 80 percent because your brain creates it. The question then becomes: can you do anything about the polarization and systemic racism—except for role-modeling the opposite in your own life? Likely, the answer is no. Even legislation must be accepted, embraced, and acted out individually to make a serious difference. The second question is: can you do anything about the 80 percent? Likely, the answer is a definite yes. Think of polarization and systemic racism as your 20 percent. You decide what you will do about the 80 percent. If you have taken the 12-week Longevity Lifestyle Matters Online course, you already know that everything starts in the brain with a mindset and self-talk. https://arlenetaylor.org/llm-online  

Depression: polarization & systemic racism

I would like to live a good long life. However, I am finding it difficult to think positively about what is happening in our cities, states, and country. Fires and floods I can understand. Polarization and systemic racism I cannot understand. In fact, I think I am bordering on depression. What can I do?

 First, if you are depressed, I encourage you to speak with a good counselor as you may benefit at least temporarily from some medication and/or some feedback and suggested strategies. Second, to comment on what you can do, let me begin by remind you of a 20:80 Rule. It derives from a perspective attributed to a 2^nd Century Greek slave that turned into a philosopher. According to Wikipedia, Epictetus was born into slavery. As a teenager he was owned by a secretary to Nero. Apparently, the lad was interested in philosophy and could study it. There is uncertainty about what led to his becoming crippled. Some said his owner broke is leg when Epictetus tries to run away. Others say it was an accident. Whatever, it seems he was freed when Nero died. Epictetus continued to pursue his interest in philosophy. He reportedly had a scribe who took notes, it being difficult to navigate with a crutch and write notes himself. More tomorrow. 

Socializing & Happiness

I have read that socializing with others generally increases a person’s happiness. I do not find that myself. I enjoy some socializing and being with some people. However, I turn down more requests to socialize than I accept, and some think I am weird. Do you know any research about this?

 A study was done in 2016 by Li and Kanazawa, 2016) and published in the British Journal of Psychology. The long-term study followed adults ages 18 and 28 and studied population density and personal satisfaction with life. According to the authors, generally those who lived in less densely populated areas were more satisfied with life. Also, the more people socialized, the happier they were. The study found a fascinating exception: people with high intelligence tended to experience lower life satisfaction with more frequent socialization with friends. The researchers found that with intelligence comes more of a focus on long-term projects and goals. Frequent socialization may distract them from their long-term and satisfying projects. From a brain-function perspective, the human brain is relational and needs some socialization. The ideal amount, however, varies based on at least a person’s brain level of extroversion, ambiversion, or introversion. It would be interesting to see a study that looked at this as well as the amount of socialization, intelligence level, and satisfaction.

Relational Brain

Whatever else describes the human brain, “relationality” is a key component. The brain is believed to be relational organ with other human beings and nature. How does one be relational without getting sucked into a dysfunctional herd mentality? Perhaps first and foremost it requires personal learning and thoughtful reflection with the goal to deciding what you will and will not do in life. Choose to affiliate carefully. Like-minded individuals reinforce one another’s viewpoints. The bigger the group the more likely that high emotionality could overpower rationality and logical thinking. Group “think” can reinforce the opinion of each group member making it more likely to just follow the herd whatever it is doing and wherever it is leading. Carefully select the individuals with whom you spend the most time. Gradually, even the most destructive behaviors can somehow seem “normal.” The word normal can be defined as typical or a common occurrence. In an environment where specific behaviors commonly occur, they can take on a veneer of “normality.” You cannot change anyone but yourself. Do your own research and be open to considering additional information as it arises. If uncertain about whether something is right for you, be willing to stand out, even if you stand alone. 

“Herd Mindset”

How do people move toward a mental set that demands or acquiesces to conformity? For some, when individuals become part of an exclusive group (their perception), their brains can experience a decrease in their personal senses of self, a decrease in being self-aware. Some call this deindividuation. In such a state, they are less likely to “conform” to generally accepted restraints and inhibitions on behavior and more likely to gravitate toward whatever behaviors the group espouses. The energy generated in a group can also contribute to emotional excitement. This can lead to behaviors being not only condoned by the group—that in other circumstances that would be considered unacceptable—but required. The larger the group and the more anonymity, the more some members perceive violent actions as belong to the group rather than to their own behaviors. Thus, they may engage in behaviors that they would never engage in if alone: smashing windows, setting fires, overturning vehicles, even to drinking poison (Jonestown massacre 1978) as a group, or whatever else the leader promotes. The behavior of the “herd” gradually become their new mental set, their new normal.

"Herd Mentality"

This label and several other potential synonyms (mob mentality, pack mentality, gang mentality, cult mentality) is one way to define an extreme tendency to conform. It describes how people can be influenced by their peers to adopt certain behaviors that on their own they likely would not have exhibited. In Defying Hitler, Sebastian Haffner describes how the Nazis had encouraged the citizens to think of themselves as “comrades.” The comrades became the “herd,” which relieved many people of the responsibility for thinking for themselves and making decisions and exhibiting behviors that ordinarily they might never have done on their own. In effect, the “comrades” or “herd” became their conscience. Whatever they did was okay provided everyone else had the same mentality and was doing the same things. Those outside “the herd,” were often assaulted or killed to gain conformity. Some think that the recent assault on the nation’s capital was a type of herd mentality action.

Conformity Complexity

Conformance is a mixed blessing. Conforming to traffic laws has saved many lives. Nonconforming (e.g., drink alcohol and then drive) have taken many lives. It is amazing to read some of the studies and realize just what people will sometimes do in the name of conformity. Sometimes it is better to think for oneself rather than relying on what others do. Have you ever looked at your tendency to conform or not conform? Have you ever wondered if your life would be improved in a specific area if you conformed or better if you did not conform, if you avoided the herd mentality? Some find it extremely uncomfortable to choose to do their own thing instead of doing what everyone else is doing. For others, it is just the opposite. They are quite comfortable choosing to do their own thing. Psychologist Solomon Asch did an interesting experiment about conformity. Fascinating, really. He found that people evaluating which line in one figure matched one of three in a second figure, sometimes voted with the group when they knew that the answer was incorrect. You might want to check this out and ask yourself what you might have chosen to do in a similar situation. https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjop.12491

Conformity & the Brain

I am puzzled! Several friends of mine went to a gathering that practiced social distancing guidelines--except no one was wearing masks. So, my friends took theirs off. Now they all have tested positive for COVID-19 and some are very ill. I do not understand this!

 What don’t you understand? That they went to the meeting or that they removed their masks? Studies from 114 countries have shown that some people have a very hard time NOT going along with what their friends or a group of people are doing. They do not want to stand out. Some have dubbed that “the herd mentality.” Other studies have shown that within a period of three years’ time, people tend to take on the habits and practices of the 4-5 people with whom they spend the most time. Snow skiers who had reservations about skiing on a specific mountain went along with their friends and then perished in an avalanche. Those who have reservations about trying a specific illegal drug took it anyway and ended up in a mental health institution with a psychotic break. Those who did not think they needed to wear a helmet while biking or skate-boarding had an accident and ended up with a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Sometimes conforming to the group is in one’s best interest. Other times it is not. A recent study found that people tended to follow or reject pandemic recommendations not because of what the science said, but based on how their close social circle behaved. More tomorrow.

Application of the 20:80 Rule

Epictetus supposedly said that only 20 percent of negative stress to the brain and body can be attributed to the event or situation. An estimated 80 percent of the negative stress to one’s brain and body results from what you think about the event or situation, the importance you give to it, and the weight you place upon it. While you may not be able to do anything about the event or situation and its 20 percent contribution, you can do everything about the 80 percent because your brain creates it. The question then becomes: can you do anything about the polarization and systemic racism—except for role-modeling the opposite in your own life? Likely, the answer is no. Even legislation must be accepted, embraced, and acted out individually to make a serious difference. The second question is: can you do anything about the 80 percent? Likely, the answer is a definite yes. Think of polarization and systemic racism as your 20 percent. You decide what you will do about the 80 percent. If you have taken the 12-week Longevity Lifestyle Matters Online course, you already know that everything starts in the brain with a mindset and self-talk. https://arlenetaylor.org/llm-online   

Depression: polarization & systemic racism

I would like to live a good long life. I really would,
However, I am finding it difficult to think positively about what is happening in our cities, states, and country. Fires and floods I can understand. Polarization and systemic racism I cannot understand. In fact, I think I am bordering on depression. What can I do?

First, if you are depressed, I encourage you to speak with a good counselor as you may benefit at least temporarily from some medication. Second, to comment on what you can do, let me begin by remind you of a 20:80 Rule. It derives from a perspective attributed to a 2^nd Century Greek slave that turned into a philosopher. According to Wikipedia, Epictetus was born into slavery. As a teenager he was owned by a secretary to Nero. Apparently, the lad was interested in philosophy and could study it. There is uncertainty about what led to his becoming crippled. Some said his owner broke is leg when Epictetus tries to run away. Others say it was an accident. Whatever, it seems he was freed when Nero died. Epictetus continued to pursue his interest in philosophy. He reportedly had a scribe who took notes, it being difficult to navigate with a crutch and write notes himself. More tomorrow.