Mindfulness

 Mindfulness is all about being in the present moment. 

There are health benefits to mindfulness, including 

    decreased anxiety

    decreased depression

    decreased stress

    decreased rumination (dwelling on negative thoughts and experiences)

 Mindfulness contributes to neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain to change in response to experience 

Mindfulness can help with 

    executive functioning (skills that you use to manage everyday tasks)

    emotional regulation

    fight, flight or freeze response 

    higher reasoning (critical thinking and problem solving)

You can practice mindfulness any time. 

Even a few minutes a day can be beneficial.

Examples of mindfulness activities are

    mindful eating

    movement, such as yoga and stretching

    being in nature

    journaling 

    breathing exercising

    practicing gratitude

a few examples of breathing exercises are

    box breathing

    4-7-8 breathing

    candle blowing breathing

    humming bee breathing

Because my disability affects my lung capacity, I haven't been successful with the first two types of breathing exercises. I was recently introduced to the other two types, and they are easier and more helpful for me. 

Ways you can incorporate mindfulness into your day

    Take a few deep breaths when you wake up

    Observe your surroundings during your daily commute

    Move and stretch during work breaks

    Listen fully during conversations 

Mindfulness is beneficial for your brain, your physical health and your emotional health. 

There are books and apps to learn more about and help you practice mindfulness. 

    Apps:

        Headspace

        Calm

        Insight Timer

        Smiling Mind

        Mindfulness Daily 

        Aura 

And here are a few links too:

From NIH: Mindfulness for Your Health | NIH News in Health

From Mindful.org: What Is Mindfulness? - Mindful

From Psychology Today: Mindfulness | Psychology Today

librarianintx 

    

    

Game Changer

 In Austin, the paratransit system has a thirty-minute window.

That means that when you schedule a ride to be picked up at 8 am, the vehicle can arrive between 8 - 8:30 without being late. Once the vehicle arrives, you have five minutes to board and then you are considered late, and the vehicle can leave. 

The thirty-minute window is super frustrating. 

With ride share services like Uber and Lyft, you can track your vehicle and see where it is on a map. 

Metro Access never had that option. 

Now it does. 

Yesterday I FINALLY figured out to access it. 

And it is a GAME CHANGER. 

Before, I used to just wonder and wait around and then when the thirty minute expired, I would call dispatch, often have to wait on hold, then be told, "Oh, it will be there in five minutes," which often turned into way more than five minutes. It was a very frustrating process.

Yesterday I went to the store, and while I was waiting for my return, that's when I finally figured out how to see the estimated pick-up time and where the vehicle was. And it was mesmerizing, and ultimately calming, to see that little vehicle chugging along towards me. I didn't have to sit on hold and wait for dispatch. I just had to watch that little engine that could. I had to wait a long time yesterday. But I didn't mind as much. Because I knew what happening. I had some control over the situation. Not that I could make the vehicle come faster. But that I could see where they were and approximately when they would arrive. This also meant that I knew when to go outside and be ready to board.

My ride this morning is arriving in approximately fourteen minutes. 

Because I know this, I had time to write this blog post. 

Less wasted time.

Less frustration. 

Persistence in finding this option finally paid off. 

librarianintx 

Ageism

Ageism can include stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination against older adults. 

Ageism can negatively affect someone's physical and emotional health, and contribute to social isolation and loneliness.

Ageism can be intentional and unintentional, and is often reinforced across the lifespan. 

Ageism is unfortunately prevalent in healthcare, education, the media, and in family dynamics. 

Using terms like "old fogey," "over the hill, "old folks home," and perpetuating stereotypes of older adults being frail and confused are examples of ageism.

But many public figures are thriving in their older years and by example pushing back ageist notions. Oprah Winfrey, Cher, Rick Springfield, Mick Jagger, Helen Mirren, Jane Goodall, and Margaret Atwood are just a few examples.

Living a healthy lifestyle - nutrition, exercise, managing chronic conditions, proper sleep, social connections and lifelong learning contribute to not only living longer, but living better and happier lives.

Instead of viewing older adults as unproductive members of society and those that deserve to be pitied and ridiculed, we, individually and collectively, need to celebrate older adults, and afford them opportunities to be successful. 

Intergenerational activities are an excellent way to combat ageism. Young and not-so-young individuals can learn from each other and work together. Volunteer opportunities also benefit people of all ages.

librarianintx 

At The End of the Day

At the end of each day,

As you are going to sleep,

Don't focus on the failures of the day,

On what didn't go right.

Don't ruminate on your shortcomings

On what you weren't able to do

Focus on what you did accomplish 

What made you feel successful 

What gave you joy

What made you smile

What was something you did, big or small, that fulfilled your "why"

If it wasn't a good day,

Believe that tomorrow will be better

You tried today

And you will try again tomorrow 

librarianintx 

"Be on Time Chronicles"

Oh, it was an interesting ride home from work today.

There were two ladies on the bus when I boarded.

One lives in a house in a neighborhood near my apartment complex.

I don't know the other lady.

But she did not stop talking for the entire ride.

We dropped off the other lady.

And then we bypassed my street and headed to the freeway.

I was annoyed, but I still had more than hour before my next ride to the grocery store. So I didn't say anything. 

It turns out the lady was going to Walmart. And she was so late that the window for her return ride was about to open. 

She called Dispatch and demanded that she be taken home on the bus she was on. 

We were pulling into the Walmart parking lot, and she said she would not get off the bus. "Tell him he has to take me home," she said to Dispatch.

I absolutely understand her frustration. But if it had been me, I think I would have let them drop me off and asked the other driver if they could take me home, rather than screw up the current driver's route.

Luckily I got to go home first.

But I felt so bad for that driver.

I hate it when passengers call and complain when they are on the bus.

It creates such stress for the driver, and the other passengers. 

librarianintx 

Benefits of Being Outside

I watched a webinar today about the physical and psychological benefits of being outside.

Spending time in nature can decrease anxiety and depression, boost mood, and lower blood pressure. Many people enjoy recreational activities like walking, hiking, playing sports, and gardening. 

I enjoy being outside, but I also have struggles.

I sunburn easily, I hate wind, and I am sensitive to both heat and cold. 

A perfect day for me to be outside would be 75-80 degrees, overcast, with no wind.

Ideal doesn't happen very often.

I also have to factor in air quality and the presence of mosquitos.

My apartment has a patio. I enjoy sitting outside and reading. I also take walks around the complex when the temperature allows.

I have been to outdoor events like Renaissance Festivals and day trips to look at wildflowers, or lunch at a food truck park. I've been really lucky lately with the weather. But even if it's windy or hot I'll still go when I can. I don't want to miss those times with friends. 

librarianintx 

Young Royals Book Series

I have now read all six books in the Young Royals series by YA historical fiction writer Carolyn Meyer.

She wrote books about Katherine of Aaragon, Princess Mary, Princess Elizabeth, Anne Boleyn, Catherine de Medici, and Marie Antoinette. 

All written from their point of view.

I enjoyed them all, and wish she had written more.

It's hard to pick a favorite, but I'm going to choose the one about Marie Antoinette. 

It was the longest book in the series, but I could not put it down.

It's my favorite thing to say about a book. :)

librarianintx 

The Importance of Wearing Sunglasses

I wear sunglasses occasionally, but not as much as I should, because I didn't have prescription sunglasses. Not having prescription sunglasses meant that I couldn't read, journal, or do anything on my phone while I was out and about on a sunny day. That frustrated me, but I still put off buying prescription sunglasses. 

Until now. 

A week ago, I picked up my first pair of prescription sunglasses. 

I am SO happy to have them!

I have been learning about all the ways that sunglasses can protect your eyes. 

Here's a list:

Protect your eyes from UV rays and glare

Sunglasses can reduce wrinkles

They can protect the skin around your eyes from skin cancer and your eyelids from cancer.

They can also reduce your chances of developing eye diseases such as cataracts and Macular Degeneration.

Sunglasses can keep your eyes safe from debris and elements like blowing sand.

They can even help you avoid headaches and migraines. 

I wish I would have done it years ago, but I'm very glad I finally have prescription sunglasses, and that I am wearing them. 

I have chronic dry eye, and an eyelid condition called blepharitis, so I am also now using eyedrops and doing eyelid scrubs daily (mostly).

It feels good to know I am finally taking steps to manage my eye health. 

librarianintx