New blog, new experiment

Some days ago I was saying myself that I know I am happy because I try new things in my life. When I am not in the mood or with anxiety I am not able to do almost anything and I do not do plans. I do not try anything. But when I am happy I like to try news things specially related to my health.

This is a list of the challenges, habits and more I am trying right now:

-Every day I am taking a nasal bathing

 Why? I read (I don´t know where) that it prevents having allergies. The true is that until now I have not feel anything special. It's more, possible is a coincidence, but I've been having a lot nots and problems. So I think it has not worked the way I thought. So I am going to stop for a while, wait and see. If something gets worse I will start again and will repeat it.

-I am taking cold showers. I was taking cold showers for more that 3 years (more or less). Then I had my mental problems and I gave up. Not really I used them as a way of struggeling with anxiety and depression. But later I could not do anything apart from getting out of misery. Recently (we are on 3/30/2024) I've started again. Apart from meaning that I am again taking action (plans and so on) it is making me feel great. I think is good for my health in general. I would say that I have increased the tolerance towards cold water, but nots toward cold weather. About other benefits. It is said that makes you lose some weight, but I can not say it is true because when I lose weight is related to many measures I am taking as eating less, or having anxiety.

So.. I will keep doing it because for me is a sign I am OK.

-I am taking some suplements everyday as collagen, MCT (medium chain triglicerids) and magnesium (cytrate) 

Right now I am not taking any of these. I am under strong medication because of my heart problem and I do not know if taking those could interfere in the medication. So I am going to wait until I finish with this first part of the treatment (6 months) and We will see. 

I have to say that I don't feel clear improvements when I take the suplements.I can not say... when I take MCT I feel more energetic and chearful... There is always other things to consider.

-I meditate everyday (this one is currently a bit abandoned).

 I've started again. The objetive here is to work on my focus and attention. I am not doing it to say.... I am cool because I meditate (which is something I did before)

-I am doing a 7 minute yoga routine.

Still doing it. I have not abandoned this habit. Even in the worst moments some months ago. Sometimes I did it as a voucher ... (remember that testing is a mistake). I like it and it is a good way to start the day.

-I am trying a toe separator. I have them, but I not using them as much as I like. I am lazy at the time of putting on. I should do it. No more to say.

-I am doing daily toe exercises in order to improve strenght and mobility. 

Right now not daily. I do strenght exercises twice a week (I am being quite disciplined) and from time to time I do mobilite routine and I include some of these exercises. The point here is getting advantage of swimming skills and general health).

-I am writing some lines in the computer everyday to practise my typing skills (I am learning how to write fast and accurate in the computer) .

I gave up as soon as I started at school. It is not for a lack of time...And I am planning to restart again with that routine. Right now that I am writing I can feel that you have to practice as much as possible because you lose ability.

 So with this blog I am going to try to tell you my experience trying things following an order o a script such the following:

1º Why. Here I will tell you why I ve been atracted to this challenge, Why it is a challenge for me

2º Where. Here  I will write about where I knew about it

3º How. Here I am going to tell you about for how long I will try the habit, the routine, the change or the food, drink or behaviour.

4º Conclusion. After some time I will tell you about the experience. For exemple if it was hard or easy , if I see changes, if it is worth and more. 

 I hope you find something interesting in this experiences.

If you have any doubt, help or advise , do not hesitate to take contact. Feel free to tell me what´s on your mind. 

Here.... I am fed up with writing, doing list of whises and intentions on my notebooks, but at the time of doing it I am not doing it. On the other hand listing and writing intentions and so on is a way of controlling and remember controlling is one of my biggest problems. You have to manage, but not controlling. When you do the "right thing" at the time of eating, working out and behaviouring, and you fullfill all you "obligations" you feel proud and happy, but I kind of a sort pleasure. The point will be in accepting the way  I am (sometimes weak) not in wanting to change everything in your life. So, Nacho get a bit relaxed... you are pressuring you too much.

Hormesis

Some years ago I discovered this term which means "in the fields of biology and medicine hormesis is defined as an adaptive response of cells and organisms to a moderate (usually intermittent) stress. Examples include ischemic preconditioning, exercise, dietary energy restriction and exposures to low doses of certain phytochemicals" some authors include also exposure to cold and heat also.

It was a pleasant surprise to discover this concept. For years I've believed that some kind of disconform is good and also necessary in order to get you stronger. What I did not know was that there were science behind it.

So if you force your health a little, exercising, eating less or fewer times, if you have cold or are hot on porpuse (taking cold showers or saunas) or if you expose yourself to sun a bit with no protection you get a kind of supercompensation.

This is something known in the science of sport since years. You "lose" to gain. You destroy muscle to growth. It is the same principle.

Then it consist on find out the right dose of thar stressor. How much is enough or how much is too much, considering also that as time goes by your limits are further. For instance you are able to take a longer cold bath.

Very good news to all of us that believe that hapiness is not comfort. In fact I would say thar exploring your limits and force yourself sucessfully is one of the best definition of happiness