Network marketing.. does it make you shudder or excited?

It’s not something I ever wanted to get into as it can feel kinda desperate sometimes.. but hey ho – I couldn’t resist the product this time. You see ..it appealed to the scientist in me.

A natural product that is independently proven to reduce oxidative stress (40% in the first 30 days if you must know) – working at a cellular level where its needed in the body. Oxidative stress is a major risk factor in virtually every modern disease .. all the ones i don’t want as I get older. Er … yes please!

And why wouldn’t everyone want this stuff? To me – no brainer. Not, it seems, to everyone. Cost? Skepticism? Network marketing?

And so here I am with a challenge- simply to invite 250 people in the next 90 days to take a look (not even asking them to buy …just look). Ok … will do. After all – they’d be doing themselves a favour by at least considering the possibility that life could be better.

Given that what your eat and drink is shown to affect your health and risks for disease, have you consciously made changes to your diet as you’ve got older?

Or do you fall into the camp of “Life isn’t worth living if I can’t have exactly what I want” ?

It’s certainly true that ‘You are what you eat’ and increasingly research points towards certain foods or combinations of food can positively or negatively impact your health. But as I see it the jury is still out as to which particular regime we should follow for optimal health. Paleo – plant based – where do you stand?

It does seem to me though, that a few important factors stand out – namely that the closer to nature our food is the better it is for us: reduced processed foods, less sugar, less mass-produced products. And secondly the habit of intermittent fasting – in my case I don’t eat 3 hours before bed time and breakfast will be at least 12 hours from the last meal.

So – have you made changes as you’ve got older – what and why?

This afternoon I went to a tea dance – it was a present from my daughter for Christmas and a gift for me and my partner this Valentine’s Day.

The thought was perfect – for a mum who likes tea, cakes, scones, jazz (there was a live jazz band) and dancing. The location was awesome – the award winning Spanish City overlooking the coast in Whitley Bay. And the company was perfect too – an afternoon with my partner.

Individually all these aspects are very much things I enjoy. Together as a package – probably not one I’d repeat in the near future.

Not quite ready for tea dances yet, it seems.

How often do you make a journey only to realise when you get there that you have no recollection of what happened along the way.

Sadly the same could be said of much of our life.

If you imagine 2 sliding doors and the gap between them as a thin sliver of light – that sliver of light represents the present – the Now. The past is gone – we acknowledge and accept – and try not to let its shadow encroach on the light between the doors. The future is yet to come – we can have hopes, dreams and plans, but the future is guaranteed for no-one – try not to let those dreams or fears dull that sliver of light.

That sliver of light representing the now is all we have – the present. Let it shine – bathe in its brightness. Each moment of Now – each version of the present.

Maybe we could view life as a series of presents?

Biohacking is using science and technology to make changes in order to take control of, understand and optimise your biology.

The aim being to increase not only your lifespan but also your health span; in other words to life a long and healthy life.

This is a field where many advances are being made, and for those who take steps the prospect of a long and healthy life is a real one.

Whilst there are many considerations, the focus of biohacking can be grouped into the following categories:

Diet: what you feed yourself – food, drink and supplements. Not just healthy eating, but considering how food groups and when you eat them can have an effect.

Lifestyle: how you treat your body – exercise, movement and sleep.

Mindset: how you treat your brain – meditation and response to stress.

My list is not exhaustive, merely an outline – an indication of where one could start.

Are you a biohacker? What tips can you share ?

Do you find the moon and its rhythm affects how you feel? Every 29 days she circles Earth – from the New Moon to the Full Moon and back around.

The moon dictates the rhythm of the tides of the ocean, causing the water to ebb and flow to a predictable pattern. Given that the human body has a water percentage of about 60% on average, is it unreasonable to suggest that the moon does affect our body?

For me, the New Moon is a time of hope – a time when I feel inspired to plan and move forward. The Full Moon feels heavy – a time when it’s not unheard of for me to make slightly crazy decisions and say or do things I might otherwise hold back from.

As a coast dweller the rise of the Full Moon over the horizon is a monthly treat, however: This from last night over the North Sea..

Change is part of the human condition. It is as inevitable as the seasons. Like the tides of the ocean, there is a rhythm to life – some good, some bad – but always changing.

So why do I offer this today?

Tomorrow I am delivering my first Yoga for Menopause event and it strikes me that one must be open to the inevitability of change at all stages of life. One must surrender and go with the flow of life – acceptance and knowing that change must happen. Resisting change is painful, futile and exhausting.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m not suggesting a free falling crash into the next phase of life: more a measured flow, an appreciation of the person we have become and an attitude of confidence as we embrace the new phase of our life.

Change is inevitable and brings with in new opportunities, new joys – go with the flow. Resisting change never seems worth the effort.