Total Balance Company Dan Newsletters
Changing of the Times.
Hi, this is Dan, it’s good to be back connecting with you. It’s been a long time. I have a question for you.
Do you remember a change in life not too long ago called Covid19? Can you believe the pandemic was already four years ago? Of course, I am being a little “not” funny – it was a hugely sad time for many of us and even more, life changed in ways we never believed possible.
My biggest concern though is what are we doing now? The greatest effect of Covid was the incredible limitation of freedom to move. The impact though was more than physical. The brain and mental effect was unprecedented. Even more sadly, we are still suffering from that effect. During Covid I saw the massive decline in positivity, understandably so.
So what were the effects, how did they change our mental and physical wellbeing and most importantly, what action ca we take now to stop the lingering effects and take control of our life, even reversing the accelerated aging that isolation created.
I am going to speak on two issues. Brain and Body.
First was the effect on the brain. Did you know that in the prison population placing a prisoner into solitary confinement has a terrible effect. The effects of solitary confinement on mental health can be lethal. Even though people in solitary confinement comprise only 6% to 8% of the total prison population, they account for approximately half of those who die by suicide. In fact, human beings, as social creatures, the stress of seclusion can lead to mood swings and depression, then to cognitive decline in spatial orientation, memory, and attention abilities, and finally, in some cases, to psychosis.
The effect on the brain is very specific. As human beings, we are basically all born into an enriched environment and then, in prison or in nursing care, we isolate people after that. And with the demand to isolate, limit any outdoor activities and literally stay inside the same four walls, we had a case of “prison” and self-nursing care.
Richard Smeyne, of Thomas Jefferson University, revealed this effect on brain health in isolation. By looking at the brain cells of mice who had been raised in enriched environments and then later placed into isolation, Smeyne’s team observed that after one month of isolation, neurons shrunk by 20 percent. “These neurons are reduced 20 percent in size after one month. By three months, we see shrinkage of the cell’s dendrites and axons, too,” he said, noting such shrinkage affects how well and how efficiently brain cells communicate.
As for the body, a great article by LiveStrong really breaks this down. Well worth a read.
https://www.livestrong.com/article/377725-what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-dont-exercise/
The effect hits so many areas. Listed are 1) Your Heart 2) Your Brain 3) Your Mood 4) Your Bones and Joints 5) Your Waistline 6) Your Cancer Risk – and I can add a number more. Firstly your neurological connection from Brain to Body and sensory from Body to Brain lessens. So much so that natural movement of all your years declines where even moving naturally becomes a through out, fearful time of your life.
Well, if you know me, and attended my classes online, you will know 100% I am solution oriented and only look at the effects to create the best steps forward. There is a saying I love from Einstein, “Stay Away from Negative People. They have a problem for every solution.”
So let’s hit this simply and directly. Brain is movement and movement is the brain. When we engage in activities the muscles working send chemical releases to and from the brain to affect our mood, self-esteem, strength, confidence and self-believe in a better future to mention a few. However, what exercise we do will impact the total affect as well as our ability to grow stronger and not just slow the decline. We are an amazing miracle in the ability to change our lives, increase our health and heal, mentally and physically.
How we approach our health will determine if we slow down our decline or reverse the downward slope to living better. And we should exercise to live, not live to exercise. If we look at the different kinds of exercise the options are limitless. So here are a few tips to get you up and going or improving today into a fantastic tomorrow.
1) Declare out loud what your passion is for movement (ie. Dancing, hiking, running, walking etc.
2) Dream of something you would like to do, either for the first time, or again that you haven’t attempted, or done well with recently.
3) Make it truly mean something to you and be an amazing achievement once accomplished.
4) Set a goal and give the target a realistic timeline.
5) Select what movement you need to increase to get to the finish line. Include mobility, balance, strength, stamina, flexibility and special skills.
6) Start by taking action one part at a time, could be just balance and then add other parts. Eg. Balance, flexibility, strength, mobility, special skills, stamina.
7) Build a commitment to do something each day of the week and then adventure out on the weekends to see your progression.
8) Write down your training program and add in how you feel each day. Some great days and some not so great. It doesn’t matter as all experiences and effort will lead to victory.
9) Keep going and even record yourself on your phone once a week just to realize how brilliant you are doing.
10) Believe in You. If you believe you can, you will. Safety first always but we are what we think and achieve what we believe we can.
Just from moving our life will improve. All the things lost form movement can come back. The magic we seek is in the work we are avoiding. Just be honest with yourself and realize there is nothing to lose and every day to gain.
When I created the Total Balance Company mobility balance system for Bob Eubanks it was purely to get him ready to adventure outside again having fallen a lot. His life changed in just three weeks and even better, not only his physical condition but his brain health of positive confidence, excited for the change and the future had never been brighter. His mental state was excited to live again and his desire to get out and do things revered from the fear of falling, and losing his balance even more.
So, if you have a Total Balance Company get up and use it. If you already are, come join my live classes and lets get you ready for the summer adventure of a lifetime ahead. And if you don’t have a Total Balance Company, just get up and start moving. The Total Balance Company can for sure help progression and speed of improvement, but just move. Engage the muscles, build the brain power by fun movement and above all, only sit down to relax after doing the work. Retirement was not to stop, it was to free up time to really live.
Remember, solitary confinement deals a huge blow to our lives, more than we knew it would. But the time to reverse the loss, get outside and feel the sun’s rays on your beaming smile and smell the fresh air in a way long gone is your decision. Everything is possible when you commit to the things that bring happiness. I believe in your potential. Do you believe in you?
REAL LIFE TIP of the Month.
My #1 exercise for the Total Balance Company users is one of my favorites for the month of May. Get up out of the sofa, get up on our standing rocking chair (the Total Balance Company) and rock for fifteen minutes a day watching TV. 5 days in a row, and see, feel the improvement. If a commercial comes on try to balance but rock again once the story resumes. The brain is engaged in the rocking and the body building its own strength. Next tip for June coming so make sure your Total Balance Company is ready to go.
Lastly, yes you can reverse the effects of lost years. It only takes a decision joined by action to invigorate the miracle you have within you, achieving more than anyone else gives you credit for. It’s your life and I am here to support your improvement. Lead your goals and I will be in your corner cheering you on.
With care and love,
Dan Metcalfe