The Echoes of Yesterday: How Our Past Shapes Our Tomorrow
In the grand tapestry of our lives, the threads of our past are woven intricately into the fabric of our future. Every experience, every triumph, and every stumble leaves an indelible mark, shaping the contours of the path that lies ahead. Our past serves as a compass, guiding our choices, influencing our perspectives, and sculpting the person we become. It's the crucible where lessons are forged, resilience is honed, and character is defined. While we can't rewrite history, we hold the power to reinterpret its narrative, extracting wisdom from our triumphs and finding strength in our challenges. Acknowledging the profound impact of our past allows us to approach the future with a mindful awareness, understanding that it's not about escaping our history, but embracing it as an integral part of our journey forward. As we navigate the uncharted waters of what lies ahead, let us carry the echoes of our yesterdays as beacons of light, illuminating the path towards a brighter, more purposeful tomorrow.
I was a relatively heavy drinker in my early 20’s, I smoked and I took recrational drugs. I wasn’t an addict of anything. I’ve never been an addictive person. I just enjoyed life. Like a lot of people do in their late teens / early 20’s. But as I approach 36 I can’t help but wonder…what are the long term affects of my youthful hedonism? How long will it take to reverse these factors? How far am I willing to go to increase my lifespan, without sacrificing enjoyment and fulfilment? I’ve been thinking a lot recently about how to improve my life in the present but I guess that also parralells with my future too.
One pair of grandparents (pictured above) lived and worked outside their entire lives and they survived 97 and 98 years respectively. The others worked indoors and died of illness much earlier. I’m not saying that all people who work indoors die younger, and I’m lucky that my career has a mix of both indoor and outdoor work, I guess I’m trying to figure out possible factors that I may not have covered.
Longevity. A definition of longevity is “a great duration of life”…now you could take that for face value and think that merely living a long time is the aim but wouldn’t you want to live those many years to their fullest? I recently watched the “Limitless” series with Chris Hemsworth and it really got me thinking about how I can live longer whilst filling that life with memories I can be proud of.
Aged 17. I’d like to blame others for this but I was definitely one of the instigators.
What’s affected and what can I do?
So this year has been all about discovery; discovering myself, discovering my purpose, discovering my passions. I have spent a long time trying to support the needs and passions of others and put my own to one side. It’s not good for my mental health / personal development which is something I’ve come to realise this year. Now below is a LOOOOOOAD of information on how you can improve your lifespan and overall wellbeing in general. Feel free to scan, come back and re-read, or just skip it entirely. I wanted to cover a whole host of areas here and I’ve dedoicated a lot of my year to date working on all of these factors. I have specifically started working on reducing the affect of stressors on my life. If this is something you want to address I’d recommend the following headings: Stress, C.I.T. and Acceptance. I have started reading into stoicism over the last couple of months; it’s something I’ve been interested in for quite some time but I only just began dedicating time to it. I’d highly recommend “How to be a Stoic” by Massimo Pugliuci, or if you’re into podcasts theres “The Daily Stoic” which is great!
“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”
Stress:
Over the last couple of years I’ve found my stress levels heightened and It’s taken me some time to realise what has factored in for this and how I can monitor and counteract these. I’m not naturally a ”stressed” person. Which I think causes a doubling affect. Over the last couple of years I’ve been stressed becasuse I’m stressed; that’s been a total mindfuck. A mixture of personal pressure, external pressure from relationships and a lack of certainty around my future / career / finances have all been major factors with which I’m really concentrating on right now. Some I have control over and some I don’t; I’m learning to accept that.
Negative Impact: Chronic stress can lead to a range of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, weakened immune system, and mental health disorders. Over time, these conditions can contribute to a shorter lifespan.
Accelerated Aging: Prolonged stress can accelerate the aging process at the cellular level, potentially leading to a higher risk of age-related diseases and a reduced lifespan.
Mental Health: Chronic stress is strongly linked to mental health issues like depression and anxiety, which, if untreated, can have a significant impact on overall health and longevity.
Personal Connections:
Positive Impact: Strong social connections and meaningful relationships have been associated with better mental and physical health. Having a support network can provide emotional and practical support, reducing the impact of stressors on health.
Reduced Stress: Meaningful relationships can serve as a buffer against stress. The presence of a supportive network can help individuals cope with challenges and reduce the negative physiological effects of stress.
Improved Health Behaviors: People with strong social connections are more likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors, such as regular exercise and balanced nutrition, which contribute to a longer, healthier life.
Sense of Purpose: Meaningful relationships can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment, which is linked to better mental and physical well-being.
Cold Immersion Therapy (C.I.T.)
Cold exposure stimulates the activation of brown adipose tissue, a type of fat that generates heat to help regulate body temperature. This can increase metabolic rate and potentially lead to improved weight management and metabolic health, which are factors associated with longevity.
Cold exposure may stimulate the production of certain immune cells and enhance the activity of the immune system.
Cold exposure is a form of stress, and regular exposure may lead to adaptations in the body's stress response systems. This could potentially increase overall resilience to stressors.
Cold exposure may promote mitochondrial biogenesis, which is the process of creating new mitochondria (the energy-producing structures within cells). Healthy mitochondrial function is crucial for overall cellular health and longevity.
Exercise:
I’ve always loved working out. In the last couple of months I have tried to shift the emphasis of working out for pleasure and to feel the endorphin rush and make it more of a necessary habit for my long term health. Spending time in recovery as well as training in ways I haven’t ever done before.
Cardiovascular Health: Regular exercise strengthens the heart, improves blood circulation, and lowers blood pressure. This reduces the risk of heart disease, one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
Metabolic Health: Exercise helps regulate blood sugar levels and improves insulin sensitivity. This is vital in preventing and managing conditions like type 2 diabetes, which can significantly impact lifespan if not properly controlled.
Weight Management: Regular physical activity contributes to maintaining a healthy weight or achieving weight loss if needed. Obesity is associated with a higher risk of numerous chronic diseases and conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Mental Health: Exercise releases endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Good mental health is closely linked to overall well-being and longevity.
Stress Reduction: Physical activity is a natural stress reliever. Regular exercise helps regulate stress hormones, promoting a healthier stress response and reducing the overall burden of chronic stress.
Sleep:
Restorative Function: Adequate sleep allows the body to repair tissues, consolidate memories, and regulate various physiological processes, contributing to overall health.
Mental Health: Quality sleep is crucial for mental well-being. Chronic sleep deprivation is associated with an increased risk of mood disorders, cognitive impairment, and mental health conditions.
Immune Function: Sleep plays a critical role in immune function. It helps the body produce immune cells and antibodies that defend against infections and illnesses.
Inflammation Regulation: Proper sleep contributes to the regulation of inflammatory responses, helping to maintain a balanced immune system and reducing the risk of chronic inflammation-related diseases.
Stress Reduction: Adequate sleep is essential for regulating stress hormones and promoting a healthy stress response.
Memory:
Cognitive Function: A well-functioning memory is a key component of cognitive health. It allows individuals to perform everyday tasks, make decisions, and navigate their environment effectively.
Learning and Adaptation: Memory enables us to learn from experiences, both positive and negative. This learning process helps us adapt to new situations and challenges, enhancing our ability to thrive and survive.
Safety and Risk Management: Memory allows us to recall past experiences and lessons, helping us make safer decisions and avoid potentially harmful situations.
Emotional Well-being: Memory allows us to relive positive experiences and maintain emotional connections with loved ones. This contributes to overall mental well-being and can positively impact physical health.
Coping with Aging: Maintaining cognitive function, including memory, is crucial for maintaining independence and quality of life as we age.
Neurological Health: Some studies suggest that engaging in activities that challenge memory, such as puzzles or learning new skills, may have protective effects against cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
“We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more in imagination than in reality.”
Acceptance:
In the context of Stoicism, refers to acknowledging and embracing the natural order of the universe, including events and circumstances beyond our control. Stoics believe that true wisdom lies in recognising what we can and cannot change, and then finding serenity in accepting things as they are.
In short, acceptance for Stoics means surrendering to the inevitability of certain events and focusing one's efforts on cultivating inner virtues, such as wisdom, courage, and self-discipline, to navigate life with equanimity and resilience.
Stress Reduction: Acceptance involves acknowledging and coming to terms with difficult situations or emotions. This can lead to reduced stress levels, as it minimizes the psychological strain associated with resisting or denying reality.
Mental Health: Acceptance is a key component of various therapeutic approaches, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). It can contribute to improved mental health outcomes, including reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Improved Relationships: Acceptance can lead to better interpersonal relationships, as it fosters understanding, empathy, and open communication. Strong social connections are associated with better mental and physical health outcomes.
Adaptation and Resilience: Acceptance is a crucial component of adaptability and resilience. It allows individuals to navigate life's challenges with a more flexible and constructive mindset.
Quality of Life: Acceptance can lead to a greater sense of peace and contentment, improving overall quality of life. This positive outlook on life can contribute to a longer, more fulfilling lifespan.
Spiritual and Existential Well-being: For many, acceptance is a component of spiritual or existential well-being. This sense of acceptance can lead to a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment, which are associated with better health outcomes.
“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.”
“Why now?” some people have asked recently…If you’re new to the blog then I'll just bring you up to speed. At the turn of the year I lost someone from my life I never thought I’d lose. Someone I never wanted to lose. Someone who’s loss I still feel on a daily basis. Not because I thought we were in a “perfect place” but because I believed in where we could go and what we could have done together. Belief and trust can be cruel emotions that, unlike many these days, I give wholly to my close relationships. I give the benefit of the doubt and always look for the best in people.
Grief, in its raw and tender form, has the power to reshape our perspective on life's journey. Losing a loved one is an experience that forces us to confront the profound impermanence of existence. In the midst of sorrow and reflection, we often find ourselves reevaluating our goals with a newfound clarity. The dreams that once seemed distant may suddenly take on a more urgent and tangible significance. We are reminded that time is a precious and finite resource, prompting us to concentrate our efforts on what truly matters. In the wake of loss, our goals often shift from the pursuit of mere achievements to the pursuit of a life well-lived – one filled with love, authenticity, and a deep sense of purpose. The pain of saying goodbye can lead to a profound awakening, urging us to honor the memory of our loved ones by living our lives with intention and focus, pursuing the aspirations that resonate most deeply with our hearts and souls.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this weeks blog. What do you think have been major “shorteners” in your life? How have you counteracted them? Is there anything you’ve read today that you’re going to try? Please comment below and share on social media! I’m heading to my first Wim Hof Retreat in the highlands this week so keep an eye out for updates throughout the weekend!
‘Till next time. Ol