Having a conversation with a close friend who is a renowned adventurer and has experienced incredible outdoor activities worldwide, someone I've been fortunate to compete with and have known for the past 12 years, we discussed his upcoming bike-packing adventure - check out THE TASSIE GIFT [https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://seatosummit.com.au/blogs/blog/the-tassie-gift-a-scenic-trip-to-hell%3Fsrsltid%3DAfmBOoqgANZXO9bIUeEB6WVDRHRyrni3jVELCLsFds-ZPS1VA4NCuHHf&ved=2ahUKEwjK4rvQgICJAxXqV2wGHYsDNNAQFnoECB4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw2orzPTeoMy4e4nYhBtfA8rif
you're curious. Naturally, he expressed some concerns about finishing it due to his age, which made me ponder the significance of mindset in our lives, if any.
At Farmacy outdoors we try to cultivate a mindset that sets us up for positive ageing, longevity and increased healthspan and we believe Outdoor Adventure# and Nature# is the keystone to this, along with a healthy dose of awe.
What is the essence of an adventure? In my younger years, during my 30s and 40s, I found myself pursuing adventure primarily for the excitement of pushing my limits, the rush of adrenaline, and the sense of achievement upon conquering a goal I had diligently prepared for. It was somewhat self-centered and focused on achieving specific objectives. Beyond the thrill of adrenaline, there was an elusive allure that I couldn't quite define. However, as I grew older and my athletic performance declined, I came to realize that the true essence of adventure lies in simply GOING OUTDOORS... being fully present in the great outdoors, immersed in nature, absorbing all the magnificent sights, sounds, scents, and sensations of being ALIVE and attuned to the needs of my body. Upon returning to the stark artificial lights, computers, and noise of everyday life, I yearned for the natural beauty with its organic fractal shapes and calming melodies of birdsong that quieted my restless mind and soothed my racing heart. I understood that an adventure is not determined by the specific activity itself, but rather by the mindset we bring to it – in other words, it's all about the approach or mindset.
This morning, I spent 20 minutes in a sit-spot, approaching the time with childlike wonder, eager to discover new things I hadn't noticed before using techniques of Wide Angle Vision and Fox Walking barefoot. The physiological benefits of being outdoors, connected, and embracing a mindset of awe and wonder within this extraordinary universe prepared me for another hectic day following a long-weekend holiday at the pharmacy. It allowed me to be more composed, empathetic, and less anxious. And it's not just me; the evidence is compelling that spending time in nature has profound positive effects on our physiology. The intricate, unstructured patterns of nature penetrate straight to our reptilian brain via the thalamus and amygdala, soothing the pre-frontal cortex and busy conscious mind switching our brain frequency from busy beta to calming alpha waves and a dream-like state. Just check out the image of the sky and Outeniqua Mountains below as an example from an adventure race we did in South Africa.
Or how about the vividness of the colour in this image & the landscape from the same race.
Reading a journal on treatment therapies for Dementia I am reminded of a evidence-based non-drug therapy called Reminiscence Therapy [RT] which is a psycho-social program seeking to re-establish self-image by re-connection & importing of memories from a person's past life creating a sense of worth, purpose, wellbeing and life coherence. In simpler terms, mindset determines everything! This is a wonderful non-drug treatment therapy for a growing problem, it's major limitation is finding the skilled people & financial dollars to implement it , certainly a field I will be exploring moving forward as a pharmacist and with a family member with this awful condition. Another interesting study is the Counterclockwise Study discussed by Dr Ellen Langer who performed this experiment on 8 elderly men aged in their 70's whereby she re-created their social-physical environment of 1959 for one week whereby they lived and breathed their lives from 20 years earlier, no mirrors and no current world information. She performed this experiment in 1979 and it has recently been replicated in a larger study currently underway in Milan Italy. These men demonstrated remarkable regression in ageing both on mental testing and physiological testing in one week! The power of mindset is now embedded in Epi-genetics [ literally above the gene's coding which is influence heavily by environment] and as the bodies of these men received new messages , they adopted new mindsets, they experienced meaningful improvement in flexibility,memory, strength,hearing & cognition.She argues that we place physical limitations as we get older which determine how we think about ourselves & our capability and I would strongly agree with this statement. Health is more than the abscence of illness , our mindset# may be the cause of unnecessary limits. Manipulation under anaesthesia [MUA] is another interesting medical procedure whereby the body once unconscious can be bent and moved in remarkable ways [ literally folded in half] well beyond its normal conscious range of motion without causing trauma, however upon returning to consciousness the limitations enforced by the brain/mind return.
Exploring the impact of substances such as Psilocybin, MDMA, Ketamine, and DMT (Dimethyltryptamine - Ayahuasca), which induce altered states of consciousness, is gaining popularity in the treatment of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), a condition known for its challenging nature to address. The experience of unitive thinking, where boundaries between self and others, as well as self and the universe, dissolve, represents a significant shift in mindset and presents an intriguing frontier in the fields of psychology and medicine. While this approach is not novel, as ancient cultures had their own versions of such practices, the use of psychedelics dates back to the 1960s and has often been unfairly criticized. Fortunately, attitudes are evolving as more research is conducted. It is essential to note that I do not endorse unrestricted access to these substances, as they are potent medications that may not be suitable for everyone. However, when administered in appropriate settings and with proper guidance, they can play a valuable role in addressing the escalating mental health challenges of our time.
Outdoor Adventure# meets all the requirements for promoting wellbeing. While I believe that modern society emphasizes introspection for self-improvement [through practices like meditation, breathwork, and psychoanalysis], we also endorse the importance of experiencing Awe#, which involves looking outwardly and gaining a broader perspective of oneself and the world. Awe could be defined as the feeling you get when you look at something with child-like wonder. This perspective helps in understanding your significance, role, and purpose in the universe, ultimately guiding you towards happiness and well-being. Moreover, acquiring new skills promotes neuroplasticity. The Awe experience reminds you that you are not the centre of the universe, it is the antidote to self-obsession and we all live in a world where anti-awe devices like mobile phones & computers narrow our focus & puts us at the centre , which we know is not healthy for wellbeing.
Our brain's ability to change [neuroplasticity] is influenced by our experiences. With an average of 60-70,000 thoughts daily, 90% of which are repetitive, it is clear that introducing new environments, skills, and outdoor adventures is essential for our well-being.
So in a nutshell, get outside in awe with a mindset of age fluidity, yes you may be slower but that has advantages too, in fact it may just be your super-power!
We hope to see you on the trails, check out our range of hikes,rides,paddles or something more nuanced for your wellbeing needs . Cheers Dave
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