The Glass is Always Full!
Rolf had nothing to smile about after cracking his pelvis, but he did anyway! Rolf, 82, was with friends for a Veteran Ski Instructors Reunion when he was hit by an out of control skier and suffered a cracked pelvis. As I followed his progress on Facebook over the winter, I could not help but notice how optimistic he was. He said it was bad luck but could be worse. He was grateful to the ski patrol and his friends that came to his aid, the medical staff that treated him, the hotel that was flexible with the change of plans, the airport sky caps who pushed him in a wheelchair (at both airports), the airline staff who got him safely onto the plane and improved his seat assignments. He was thankful for the good friends who insisted on meeting him with a wheelchair and thought of everything possible to make the return home as easy and comfortable as possible. He was happy when he graduated to a walker and by Easter he was in good shape and back on the snow. Rolf’s daughter said it best, “Nothing stops this guy and his optimistic attitude and zest for life… Love and admire him!”
I’ve seen injuries like Rolf’s spell the end of skiing for people. There is no shortage of people (usually non skiers) telling you it might be time to hang ‘em up. I wondered how much Rolf’s attitude played in his good outcome. I found a study funded by the British Heart Foundation carried out at the University College London that supported the old adage that looking at the glass half full can be good for your health. “Scientists surveyed the mental attitudes of 369 patients, who were admitted to hospital with unstable angina and heart attacks and monitored their health over the next 46 months. The research found after suffering a heart attack or angina, the most pessimistic patients were twice as likely to suffer a more serious health condition in the next four years, compared with the most optimistic patients. These conditions include a more severe heart attack, heart surgery or death. Lead author of the research, Professor Steptoe, said: ‘Our research shows that optimistic people are more likely to take advice about lifestyle changes on board, like quitting smoking and eating more healthily – this results in better outcomes after a patient suffers from unstable angina or a heart attack. Half of the most pessimistic patients who smoked were still smoking one year after going into hospital. In contrast, 85% of the optimistic smokers had quit their habit entirely, a year on. The study also showed that optimistic patients are more likely to increase their consumption of fruit and vegetables, a year after their heart attack or angina. 40% with a positive outlook were eating the recommended five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Meanwhile only 20% of the most pessimistic patients were eating the required amounts, 12 months after their hospital admission.” Other research showed optimists tend to have good social networks and strong social relationships which help cope them with stress. Maybe you can find another group of scientists who will say being a pessimist is better for your health, but I have no doubt that Rolf’s optimism and persistence had to be better than focusing on everything that went wrong.
I’m always concerned about getting dehydrated when I ski, especially in high elevations and low temperatures. I appreciate water is the most essential ingredient to life after oxygen, but stopping for frequent bathroom breaks is not very practical when you are skiing (even less so for women). I recently read a book named The Water Secret: The Cellular Breakthrough to Look and Feel 10 Years Younger by Howard Murad, MD. My big takeaway from the book is that not all water is created equal. The book states the water contained in raw fruits and vegetables is structured, meaning it’s surrounded by molecules that help it get into cells easily and quickly. This is important because it’s not how much you drink, but how much your cells can utilize it. Aging cells lose the ability to retain water. The author’s advice is to “eat your water” for both the hydration and nutrients. I’m often skeptical about the latest self-help trends, but a 2003 Nobel Prize paper on how water molecules pass through cells made me think this might be good advice. Over the summer I made an effort to follow this advice and ate a lot of water laden fruits and vegetables, like cucumbers and melon. I did notice a difference. When I played tennis, I seemed to need fewer drink breaks than my partners. After “hot” yoga or a long bike ride my water bottle was sometimes still half full, which was not typical. I hope to see similar benefits this winter.
Some of the fun that comes with skiing is the people you meet on the chairlift. On our club trip to Big Sky, Montana one member shared a lift ride and some runs with a lovely women named Janet, who was invited to join us for après-ski. Janet, known professionally as the “Brain Nerd”, is a very accomplished health professional who is a seasoned senior advisor, good brain health advocate and speaker on dementia. She was eager at the chance to meet our group. As someone who goes around speaking to groups of seniors offering advice on how to prevent dementia, she seemed amazed to meet a group of people who were actually doing all the things she talks about. She believes the most important activity to add years to life with no pain or dementia is consistent continual, every day, aerobic exercise. She could not help but be impressed as she heard how everyone stays physically fit with everything from daily trips to the gym to maintain strength and flexibility to vigorous games of pickle ball. After exercise, she says being socially and mentally active are the keys to adding years. She talked to many widows who told her everything they do to stay active and make new friendships. Knowing how loneliness and depression are precedents to dementia, she was also impressed to hear people say skiing is a great way to shake off the winter blues. One member may have best summed up everyone’s healthy lifestyle when she said “when you retire your new career is staying active and traveling”. You can read the Brain Nerd’s blog entry on her website
