Urban Dictionary defines “granola” as one who is “a more civilized hippie”.
Common characteristics might include:
- Making your own jewelry and wearing it in order to show your entrepreneurial and Martha Stewart spirit
- Having tiny tattoos in a language other than English in order to invoke feelings of mystery and intrigue with strangers
- Eating only local organic foods in order to fight the good fight against GMO’s
- Wearing lots of stringed bracelets and headbands in order to be well-armed for battle
- Shopping at goodwill or vintage stores in order to ensure utmost “uniqueness”
- Using one square of toilet paper in order to save the world
I begrudgingly admit, I may be on the granola spectrum more than I thought.
I may wear a few bracelets here and there, I might go without makeup or shaving my legs for weeks on end, I also might occasionally frequent a Goodwill for specialty attire. My mother will certainly attest to the often “unique” look I sport around home.
Fine then, I’ll admit to puttering around on the eclectic side of the street. But mark my words, I will always use more than a single square of toilet paper. Gross.
The reason I bring up the subject of “Being Granola” is twofold.
1) I’m reading about “The Aging Brain” by Timothy R. Jennings, MD and it discusses several compelling arguments for implementing “Granola-esque” practices into daily life in order to prevent dementia, sharpen your mind, and improve quality of life.
2) I’ve discovered there’s several other items I’ve been planning to share with you down the road that happen to be quite “Granola-y”. So I figured I might as well make it a series and give it some structure. How to make the cheapest and easiest cold brew coffee is coming soon!
I’d like to be able read you the entire chapter in Jennings’ book on Lifestyle and Aging, IT IS VERY GOOD, but I think most of my readers here would appreciate the truncated version. Therefore, I’ll pass onto you the basic goodies.
Being in nature has significant physical benefits, particularly neurological.
Boom, that’s it. Is it any wonder I haven’t written my own book?
Jennings shared several conducted studies that showed decreased depression, lower aggression, improved moods, and overall mental and physical health. One study in particular that Jennings reported on, was of Japanese men who spent three days in the forest. The results showed “not only did their subjective emotional sense of well-being improve but also their heart rate variability improved, and their bodies experienced a shift in neurological stress tone. Their parasympathetic activity (which governs rest) increased and their sympathetic activity (which governs the stress response ) decreased. Their stress hormone levels and heart rates decreased markedly” (pg. 128).
Jennings goes on to discuss the balance of electrons that happens when people interact with nature. Jennings states, “When human beings come into direct contact with the earth – walking barefoot in the grass, swimming in the ocean, touching a tree – the individual is “grounded” and electrical balance is achieved” (pg. 130).
Touching the earth, God’s beautiful creation, literally “restores a healthy balance” and activates the body’s “anti-inflammatory and antioxidant enzymes, thereby reducing free radicals and damaging reactive oxygen species” (pg. 131).
Jennings’ book has been intellectually challenging and practically inspiring. I have a growing interest in how our daily practices have long term effects, particularly played out in older adulthood and our quality of life. Jennings research goes deep but also comes back to the surface and offers practical tips to implement into your routine. If you have the interest, I strongly suggest reading this book. Like all great things, I found it at Costco.
In conclusion of this evenings post, I will leave you with this, a picture of me (my official wilderness name is Ranger Shaw) being ultra granola this weekend. We camped outside, hunted for elk (real hippies probably don’t do that), pooped in the woods, touched a bunch of the earth, and laughed with some of my favorite people.
God made a beautiful place for us to dwell and explore. I encourage each of you to find some time this week to interact with nature and praise God for His handiwork. Even if you live in a suburban area, walk outside and look up at the sky, find a local park and walk around with your shoes off, or before you get in your car to zoom to work… take a minute to look at your neighbors potted plant.
Take a few breaths and enjoy. Regular life can be wildly wonderful.
Cheers
Word Goodies 