The other way to overcome depression is to help someone else.
I teach emotionally challenged kids to ride horses.
Next up is coaching basketball.
Invest in your community.
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Can also get the same effect from helping those who have no squeaky wheel: other animals, plant life, the water, the earth.
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That’s the ticket. That’s how its done. If it’s a cronic condition, then a person has to seek professional advice.
When I was in my early 50s, I was helping a co worker unloading and disposing of large rolls of blueprints. I was in an awkward position throwing the rolls into a dumpster. Later that evening, the motion apparently strained the muscles in my shoulders, chest and back. The pain was mild but deep, and I had never experienced pain that centered in my chest. I though it could be a heart attack. The hospital found nothing, after a battery of tests. My doctor did follow up and put me on a low dosage of blood pressure meds.
While waiting for the diagnosis, I though about what would happen with my kids. Three of them were established and on their own, but there was a six year gap between the third daughter and the youngest daughter who was still in high school. I realized that they all had the strength and resolve to help each other and take care of the youngest. From that day on, I have no fear of death - that fact is set and carved in stone the day we were born. Now it’s about getting the most out of life, even if it means sitting in a chair and staring at the wall. You’re doing the right thing ppine. Transfer as much knowledge as you’ve accumulated to help someone else cope with this mad world. In a way, that makes us a bit immortal.
Life is too long to be spent in a depressed state. It’s far easier to shape things for the better. I can only spend so much money, so the longer I’m around, the more I collect of my retirement annuity. Can’t take it with me, so I share my time and resources with people I care about. Then I do it again, as often as I can. That will always make you very happy.
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My friend and I were in the Quetico- past one long portage that leaves the weak behind. While standing on a beach a pair of old paddlers came up. They had come in from another direction that required days of paddling. Both looked to be in their 80’s. They were not setting any speed records, but their paddling was even and deliberate. They asked where the cliff paintings were (we had not been able to find them either) and, following a short discussion, they cruised away. I thought to myself, that is where I want to be when I get to their age- engaged. Now I am there with a total shoulder replacement after last summer’s Quetico trip. I am presently planning next summer’s rip to the Powder River in Montana.
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I first started backpacking in the Sierra Nevada back in the 1970s. I had never seen older people, senior citizens in the back country. I saw people in their 70s and 80s wearing basketball shoes with tiny packs going all over the place. I never forgot it and just want to be like them.
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There’s nothing like hiking in the hills. Of all my pastimes of hiking, biking, and kayaking/canoeing, hiking is the cheapest. It puts you up close to so much.
When in a kayak or on a bike, my goal is covering distance, but while in a canoe or on foot, my goal is exploration. After I get new knees, hiking will continue. That’s probably the reason why fewer hikers age 70s and 80s are out on the trails, but I see many walking as they pass my house daily, rain or shine.
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My experience exactly. Same time frame & same mountains.
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My hiking was primarily done in the Smokies although I have done some in the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and several times up Pikes Peak.
Great memories all.
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They are all different. I grew up hiking in Virginia on the AT. Moved West over 50 years ago. I have hiked the Cascades, the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada a lot. I worked in Alaska over a two year period working by day and sleeping in a mining camp.
Sum it up this way, the Cascades are really wet but maybe the most beautiful. The Rockies are spectacular but it can be cold and wet any time. The Sierras have the best weather but can get really dry and dusty. SE Alaska is a swamp full of bears and you can never get dry, but the wildlife is abundant and they have never seen people before.
It is hard to give up on backpacking after 63 years, but day trips are going to be the norm.
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True about the Sierra being dry, but I loved sleeping under the stars … no mosquitos and no tent needed. Always had a tarp handy for the odd mountain t-storm, but they tend to move through quickly. In fact I never owned a tent until my first camping experience after moving east. I drove up to the Adirondacks one Memorial Day weekend and remember being surprised at the plentiful supply of open camping sites. I had never encountered black flies before. Within seconds of opening the car door, they attacked, taking full advantage of my naivety. Within 20 mins I was back in the car heading home.
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Life evolves but I always felt like my parents got into something for a year or two and moved on, never to return to it…frustrating me in the process…… so I’ve always been a little bit over the top as a counterbalance. I can’t just have a canoe, I need a dozen along with a worldwide racing circuit… I can’t go to a Grateful Dead concert, I had to go to 100… and illl quit when I’m dead
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/01/16/fitness-aging-richard-morgan/
“At 93, he’s as fit as a 40-year-old. His body offers lessons on aging.”
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This was a GREAT article, and truly inspiring for folks of any age!
More muscle, better glucose sensitivity as skeletal muscle is a glucose sump.
If I can only have one home machine, it’s the rowing machine.
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After reading about Richard Morgan, I was wondering which rower he used. I looked around and it seems the Concept 2 RowErg is the best at a decent price. The electronics are simple and use batteries. It is so well liked it’s used in most of the competitions. Wow.
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Yes the C2 erg is the industry standard. Pretty easy to find them used as well. The perfect torture machine!
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Yes, it is a great piece of equipment. I have over a million meters on mine but admit that I’ve goofed off this winter and need to get back on it.
I like to have one series to watch and I can only watch it doing the morning row 
If you get hooked on the show, you have to row.
I was curious also and that’s the same one I have which we ordered on Amazon.
I love rowing machines. My back has a completely different opinion. It likes the type that works arms and legs .