Health Boosting Wellness Shots

RECIPE BY STAFF WRITER

An immune-boosting wellness shot to get you in gear for all that this new year has in store for you!? Yes, please! It’s vegan, paleo and gluten free; consider it the quick cheat to an anti-inflammatory vitamin-rich serving.

YIELDS:

7 servings

INGREDIENTS:

2 large oranges

½ pineapple

2 lemons

¼ cup turmeric

¼ cup fresh ginger

½ teaspoon black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Peel your oranges, pineapple, lemons, turmeric, and ginger.

2. Add to your juicer.

3. Mix in black pepper to completed juice and stir.

4. Store in tiny bottles for individual servings or a mason jar.

5. Shot one per day in the morning.

WE’RE GETTING OLDER, WE’RE REMEMBERING LESS, BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES KEEP COMING AND GOING. BUT WHY SO FAST? IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE OLDER WE GET, THE MORE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RETAIN/REMEMBER.

STUDIES SHOW THAT AS WE GET OLDER, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH TIME GOES BY “FASTER”. IS THIS TRUE? NOT ENTIRELY. LET’S GET INTO IT.

The Scientific Explanation

In a paper published in 2020, Professor Adrian Bejan argued that as we age, the rate that we process and retain visual information slows down, causing time to “speed up”. As we age, he argues, the size and complexity of the networks of neurons in our brains increases – electrical signals must traverse greater distances and thus signal processing takes more time. Furthermore, ageing causes our nerves to accumulate damage that provides resistance to the flow of electric signals, further slowing processing time. Focusing on visual perception, Bejan proposed that slower processing times result in us perceiving fewer ‘frames-per-second’ therefore more real time passes between the perception of each new mental image. This is what leads to time passing more rapidly. When we are young, each second of actual time is packed with many more mental images.

Like a slow-motion camera that captures thousands of images per second, time appears to pass more slowly. People are often amazed by how much they can recall from their past when they were much younger, but it is not because the memories that were made were deeper or more meaningful, it is simply because our signal processing is in hyperdrive between the age of three up until our early 60’s where our processing ability starts to decline. “ The human mind senses time changing when the perceived images change,” said Bejan. The present is different from the past because the mental viewing has changed, not because somebody's clock rings. Days seemed to last longer in your youth because the young mind receives more images in one day than the same mind at an older age.

MAKING THE MOST OF TIME!

It is important to keep a schedule as we age to make sure we are getting things done without slipping up. Writing things down even helps young people keep track of what they are supposed to do, not just the oldies. Being physically active increases blood flow throughout the body, keeping the memory sharp. Staying sharp mentally is just as important as being sharp physically. Reading, doing crossword puzzles, playing games all keep our brain active and strays it from being stagnant. Staying organized is also a key part of keeping your memory sharp. Keep track of things in a journal, calendar, or some sort of planner. Keep to-do-lists up to date. Check off items you have completed. A healthy diet is good for your brain. Eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Choose low-fat protein sources, such as fish, beans, and skinless poultry. What you drink also counts. Too much alcohol can lead to confusion and memory loss, so as you get older, try to stay away from the strong stuff.

Get enough sleep; this needs to be stressed because many of us take it for granted! Imagine doing everything in the book to help sharpen your mind, but you don’t get enough rest at night. It will never work! Of course, everyone has different needs, but getting between seven and eight hours of rest per day is key to staying sharp and ensuring that time does not just “fly by”.

THE BOTTOM LINE.

While it may seem as if time is slipping by us as we age, that’s not actually the case. Your biggest takeaway from this article should encourage us to be mindful of how we spend our time. Make the minutes count. Ensure that you are enjoying what you do and who you’re with. Surround yourself with people who uplift you and keep you smiling. Your time here is valuable, keep track of it.

1. HAVE A BRAIN-HEALTHY DIET: Researchers discovered that foods that contain healthy fats such as olive oil, fish, and vegetables can lead to the reduction of the risk of dementia by 20%.

2. EXERCISE REGULARLY: A combination of aerobic exercises like, tennis, hiking, or even strength building contributes to your cognitive function.

3. GET ENOUGH SLEEP: Seven to eight hours a night is recommended for the average adult.

4. LEARN A NEW SKILL: Learning a new skill like knitting, how to speak another language is one of the best ways to keep your brain sharp.

5. LEARN TO PLAY AN INSTRUMENT: Whether it’s piano or the saxophone, learning to play an instrument gives your brain greater plasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt to changes and take on new tasks.

6. DON’T OVERUSE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: It’s no surprise that illicit drugs can take a toll on brain functioning, but so can many prescription and over-the-counter medications. A study found that people who regularly use common drugs like Benadryl or Paxil, increased their risk of dementia by 54% with just three years of use. The risk grows as we age, since these substances build up in the body and we don’t process them as quickly.