Let’s start from the beginning. Why write this blog? I’m an 81 year old man who has been learning and growing in knowledge about physical, mental, and spiritual health over the past fifty years. It isn’t easy to realize that as we age, we begin to lose the following:
“Six types of losses were identified: health and/or physical capacity, quality of emotional relationships, death of loved ones, social integration, quality of life in a material sense, and quality of life in a cognitive sense. As determined by both the qualitative and quantitative analysis, the way of coping most strongly linked with high levels of subjective well-being was that of accommodation, followed by different ways of coping consistent with each type of loss. Healthy ways of coping are essential to maintaining subjective well-being in old age, with the most effective being identified. (Thumala Dockendorff, 2013)
So…..what exactly is “accommodation” in the world of coping with our losses? Here’s a definition for all of us. “Accommodation is part of the learning process that allows us to change our existing ideas in order to take in new information.” (Nelson, Liu, et al, 2009) As a part of the learning process, we can now intentionally incorporate accommodation.
Now that we know we need to change our existing ideas, we must learn new things (an example of intentionally incorporating accommodation into our process). I have given you over the past several weeks information about hormones, spiritual health, and well being. Let’s start where you are right now!
- Why are you reading this blog? Because you are aging and want to reclaim your own life? Or a different reason? Whatever the reason, please take what I’m offering and learn new information about your health and well-being. Remember all learning should involve intent. So, we are reclaiming our life as a part of the process through this intent.
- Is psychological and spiritual health important to you? Well, of course, it is. Any aspect of our health is important to us. It’s our awareness that allows us to embrace a concept of intent. How can we be holistically healthy without all aspects of physical, psychological, and spiritual health?
- Take the first step! How you want to start is up to you. But, one of the best ways is to start moving. What does it mean to “start moving”? Go outside, take a walk, and appreciate your surroundings.
Over the next several weeks, I will be giving you new information to allow you to “accommodate” and to learn how to intentionally appropriate that into your well being and reclaim your life to be a healthier, more vibrant person – male or female.
Please join me on the journey!!
Regards,
Dr. Mike
References:
Thumala Dockendorff, D. C. (2013). Healthy ways of coping with losses related to the aging process. Educational Gerontology, 40(5), 363–384. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2013.822203
Nelson JR, Liu Y, Fiez J, Perfetti CA. Assimilation and accommodation patterns in ventral occipitotemporal cortex in learning a second writing system. Hum Brain Mapp. 2009;30(3):810‐820. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.2055