EXERCISE YOUR MIND AND SOUL AS WELL AS YOUR BODY TO AVOID ALZHEIMERS

The statistics about alzheimers are pretty startling,one in every ten people over sixty five has alzheimers disease. Although there is no known cure there are ways to slow it down, there are also steps that you can take to reduce the chances of you becoming a victim of dementia or alzheimers. The first step is to live a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating correctly,and drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly and drinking alcohol and coffee only moderately. Smoking is an absolute no no, not only in respect of alzheimers, but in many other ways including the heart and lungs. Apart from these measures it is essential that you exercise the mind. It has been proven that those who do so reduce the chances of suffering from this disease and are able to live longer if it does strike them. Exercising the mind is done by reading, writing creatively, playing chess, doing crosswords and anything else that stretches the brain. Exercising the soul is done by prayer and meditation. Even atheists tend to accept that there is something greater than themselves. Prayer is a message to the universe and it is amazing how often prayers are answered, especially if you have gratitude for your blessings. Even on the worst of days there is something to be grateful for. Meditation is a way of moving from a conscious state to a divine state. There is nothing difficult about meditation, it just requires planning and a little time. To meditate it is best to be in a quiet dark room. A lit candle gives not only light, but focus. A little incense helps with the right vibrations. Gentle music also helps, although one can still meditate without. Close your eyes and breathe in deeply and exhale slowly. Continue with this until you feel your body relaxing. Imagine all your stress and troubles flowing out of your body and out of the room and down the drain outside. In your mind create a special place where you will go back to each time that you meditate. It can be a valley, a mountain top, even an old building. Imagine yourself arriving at your sacred place and walking through it. You are relaxed and happy and at peace with yourself and the divine. By following all of the above ideas I have for the present at least arrested my dementia and even improved my memory. Here in Paarl it is another lovely sunny day. We are all well and as I write Bobby the parrot is whistling away happily and Sandy the cockatoo is making a racket as well. The dogs are racing around as it is still early morning and cool. In another few hours they will have found somewhere to hide from the heat. Work continues on my book. I worry about the quality, but I expect all writers do that. From experience I know that the first draft of a book will be re-written at least ten times. Of course each re-write takes less time. Keep taking the tablets. David Barnato. Paarl. South Africa.