One of my core philosophies is that life is governed by a simple truth:
Use it or lose it.
This applies to our bodies, brains, relationships, career standing... everything.
That which we do not use atrophies.
👇 Some examples:
Use it or lose it.
This applies to our bodies, brains, relationships, career standing... everything.
That which we do not use atrophies.
👇 Some examples:
Sea squirts start life out with a simple brain and the ability to swim around. In this stage, the animal's goal is to find a place to attach itself.
Once done, the sea squirt promptly eats it own brain.
psychologytoday.com/us/blog/choke/…
Once done, the sea squirt promptly eats it own brain.
psychologytoday.com/us/blog/choke/…
Brains are resource-hungry organs, and successful organisms have to be thrifty since resources usually aren't abundant.
After becoming permanently anchored, the sea squirt simply doesn't need its brain anymore.
After becoming permanently anchored, the sea squirt simply doesn't need its brain anymore.
Another example - bone mineral density.
When in space, astronauts lose about 1-2% bone mineral density each month.
Slowing this loss is a huge reason why they have to do zero-G exercise routines - but none of them can replace gravity.
asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts…
When in space, astronauts lose about 1-2% bone mineral density each month.
Slowing this loss is a huge reason why they have to do zero-G exercise routines - but none of them can replace gravity.
asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts…
This is a HUGE challenge for potential long-distance journeys, such as a trip to Mars.
On a more terrestrial note, BMD loss happens with aging - but can be counteracted either through impact or load stress (i.e. weight training). Typically the latter is safer.
On a more terrestrial note, BMD loss happens with aging - but can be counteracted either through impact or load stress (i.e. weight training). Typically the latter is safer.
A more positive example - and this one has fascinated me for years:
The classic "Nun Study" has one case of a 101-year-old nun who was mentally sharp up until her death.
Doctors were surprised to find a huge amount of Alzheimer's disease-related degradation after her death.
The classic "Nun Study" has one case of a 101-year-old nun who was mentally sharp up until her death.
Doctors were surprised to find a huge amount of Alzheimer's disease-related degradation after her death.
This paper provides fascinating context: academic.oup.com/gerontologist/…
Our brains and bodies are anti-fragile constructs. Subject them to healthy stress (AND recovery), and they'll rebuild and get stronger.
With disuse, they wither.
In many cases, this "withering" is not peaceful, and causes the chronic pain conditions many suffer from.
With disuse, they wither.
In many cases, this "withering" is not peaceful, and causes the chronic pain conditions many suffer from.
"Use it or lose it" doesn't just apply to health, though.
Want to keep your skills? Use them.
Want to maintain relationships? Keep them active. Let the people in your life know you care about them, and do it frequently.
Want to keep your skills? Use them.
Want to maintain relationships? Keep them active. Let the people in your life know you care about them, and do it frequently.
We're all basically jugglers.
That's life. We can't turn off entropy, but we can adjust our attitude towards it.
That's life. We can't turn off entropy, but we can adjust our attitude towards it.
I'd be remiss not to include this fantastic @Casey video:
We are not guaranteed anything in this life. Even with all the right decisions, we can be hampered by poor circumstances or bad luck.
However, we can try to do the best with the things over which we have control.
And for most of us, we can exert control over our daily habits.
However, we can try to do the best with the things over which we have control.
And for most of us, we can exert control over our daily habits.
We can choose to stay active, to stay curious, and to stay connected.
As Dr. John Ratey writes in "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain" (one of my favorite books):
"Getting older is unavoidable, but falling apart is not."
"Getting older is unavoidable, but falling apart is not."
Use what you have. Here's a small checklist:
✅ Get 20 minutes of movement today.
✅ Start a learning project or a new book.
✅ Call someone you care about today.
👇 And if you enjoyed this, consider retweeting this first tweet and following.
✅ Get 20 minutes of movement today.
✅ Start a learning project or a new book.
✅ Call someone you care about today.
👇 And if you enjoyed this, consider retweeting this first tweet and following.
https://twitter.com/TomFrankly/status/1436402109667184642
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