Personal Energy is the end product of these blog posts — Energy for a long, active life; to be “dynamically alive”.
Having an abundance of Personal Energy is your Fountain of Youth.
Your “flow of life” is determined by the way you use that Personal Energy.
The goal of exercise is Personal Energy
The goal of eating well is Personal Energy
The goal of deep breathing is Personal Energy, and . . .
. . . The goal of Rest and Sleep is Personal Energy.
While most of these articles are about that “three ring” energy formula of Movement, Mindset & Motivation, there is something else. Most seniors want that abundance of energy when they want it and when they can best use it. They also want to be able to “back off” when they want to. They know they can’t be “up” 24/7, yet they expect the energy to be “on call” when they want or need it.
That’s why rest, recovery, relaxation and sleep are so important for Seniors — to restore used energy. Good, solid sleep is critical for Seniors to be able to function well, to energize on demand, and also to turn it “off” on demand; to be “up” when you want, and to “cool it” when you want to back off.
How much sleep? Who knows. As with nutrition, there are many opinions about the amount of sleep you need. Some say seniors need less than younger folks, others say seniors need more. I get 6 1/2 to 7 hours on average per night. It seems to be enough. I get up very early and most of the time without an alarm. Others need the alarm and the “snooze button” to get a few more winks. I find that once awake, I am best off by just getting up. What’s best? Whatever works for you.
How about naps. Some say naps are critical, not just for seniors, but for anyone. In her book Take a Nap! Change Your Life, Author Sara Mednick, PhD suggests that naps are like a “miracle drug” that provide huge benefits in nearly all phases of your life. RISE Well Being Center, in Reston, Virginia, provides its members with individual napping “Oasis Rooms” available in 30 minute intervals (www.risewellbeing.center). Napping has been demonstrated to provide a quick rejuvenation and recovery from stress when taken in a short burst of 20 minutes or so during the day.
And of course, silent Meditation has been demonstrated to provide long term mental and physical benefits, and energy recovery for all ages. That is the subject for a future Energy Bite.
The takeaway is that while movement, mindset and motivation play the key elements in providing long term energy to Seniors, rest, sleep and naps play a major role in recovering spent energy and providing for long term health.
Sleep well tonight and take a nap tomorrow.
Thank you for reading.