Mind Body Health & Politics

Dear Friends,

How can we age gracefully in a world that seems intent on making us feel obsolete? This week, I spoke with Maddy Dychtwald, co-founder of Age Wave and author of Ageless Aging: A Woman's Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan, about the multifaceted approach to healthy aging.

Maddy emphasizes that aging is more than just a number:

"There's three different kinds of aging. First there's that chronologic aging... Second is the physiologic or biologic aging. That's how our bodies are aging... But then there's the positive side of aging, which I bet you're experiencing, and that is the psychological or emotional aging."

This holistic view resonated deeply with me. As someone who's been around the block a few times (85 years, to be exact), I've learned that maintaining health is about more than just diet and exercise. It's about cultivating a positive attitude, staying socially connected, and finding purpose in our later years.

One of Maddy's insights that particularly struck me was about the power of our mindset:

"By feeling and thinking and acting more positive about your own aging... it could add up to seven and a half years to your life and... it's not just about lifespan. It's also about healthspan."

Imagine that - seven and a half extra years just from changing our attitude! It's a powerful reminder that our thoughts shape our reality, even when it comes to aging.

But it's not all in our heads. Maddy also shared practical advice on everything from exercise to hormone replacement therapy. For instance, did you know that we start losing muscle mass as early as our late thirties? That's why Maddy suggests:

"Strengthening muscle... getting out those stretch bands, picking up those weights a couple, three, four times a week. It's a really good move."

As someone who lifts weights four times a week and does aerobics six or seven times a week, I couldn't agree more. Remember, friends: it's never too late to start investing in your health.

Maddy also highlighted the importance of social connections:

"Social connections is a viable part of this holistic recipe for ageless aging... the science points directly to the fact that low social interaction is the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day."

This aligns with what I've always believed - that we humans are tribal animals, meant to live in communities where we sustain one another.

I encourage you to follow Maddy on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for more insights on aging gracefully. Her wisdom is truly ageless.

Remember, good health is worth fighting for, and it's essential for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Golden light,

Dr. Richard Louis Miller

Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication, where I share the tools and insights I've gathered over my 64-year career. To receive my weekly digest, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Links:

* Maddy Dychtwald's Website

* Age Wave Website

* Ageless Aging: A Woman's Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan (Amazon link)

The Homeless Dilemma: What Would You Do?

I want to share a personal struggle I face regularly, and I'm curious how you handle it.

When I go to the supermarket and there's a homeless person outside, I very often go into a kind of internal conflict. And the conflict is between two voices in my head:

One voice says, "Go into the store and buy some food and give it to that person."

The other voice says, "Give them the few dollars they're asking for, even though you know there's a good chance that they're going to buy alcohol or drugs with it."

There's a part of me that says, you don't give money to a person who's got trouble with alcohol and drugs because they're going to use it for alcohol and drugs. Give them food.

But then there's another part that says, the person is so down and out, if you give them money for alcohol or food... Why not let them have a drink or a drug? Maybe it'll make them feel better for a few minutes.

This is a tough decision, and I go through it every time. Sometimes I give them a few bucks, and sometimes I go in and buy food.

I don't know how you all handle it. You might let me know, or comment on Instagram.

My Books:

* Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out

* Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances

* Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca

* Integral Psychedelic Therapy (co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)