TALES FROM THE BOBBI LAMA

I’ve read about the Blue Zones as places where people live longer, like many over 100. The studies look for correlations in the lifestyles and habits of the those who live their lives in those places and found movement (exercise, walking stairs, etc.)and connections with others to be two important factors. These people are definitely non-sedentary, and they take care of one another in their communities. In my life, I know how important it is to exercise for my body and mind because I immediately feel the positive benefits. And I also know what an amazing difference it makes in my life to share joy when connected happily to others… like a cat purring. The phone calls I exchange with my family and friends regularly make me feel alive and connected, valued and loved, and give me the opportunity to let others know I give them the same. It’s like a hug, where the giver and the receiver share the same gift.

Whenever any of the significant people in my life go on a vacation, and our our phone calls have take a break, I actually feel the difference in my positivity. I don’t know if you find this true for you, but I find my coversations with loved ones actually pick up my mood just by the sharing of laughter, emotions, experiences, or whatever. They feed me positive energy making me feel enriched. I’ve also learned about how interrelated our mental health and physical well being are. There’s an actual physically dynamic connection between having joy when we are connecting with caring people, and how our immune system hums along in response. It’s no wonder that by spending time with our positively significant loved ones, we add not only quality to our day, but also more days to our life.