Some time ago I went to hear Norman Swan, on “Living with purpose, building on health”. Dr Swan is best known amongst many things as the producer and presenter for the Health Report on ABC Radio National. It was absolutely fantastic.
He talked for an hour or so and, sure, he covered some of the stuff we’ve all heard before but put it in a different and refreshing way. He had plenty of new (not heard before) interesting evidence to support what he was saying with style and humour.
At the end of the day I asked him to summarise what he thought was most important for those of us who are too busy working to be doing what we should. To make it easy, I asked for his three most important points but because he had met some of us earlier and knew our foibles he decided to add one more.
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So here’s what he said:
- Social interaction- it’s important that we get to talk to others not just our work colleagues or playmates in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Meet people from across the whole social landscape and interact with them.
- Exercise- it’s critically important that we do some huffy puffy activity at least 3 to 4 times a week. Get into the habit of doing something you enjoy and make it fun with a friend.
- Diet- Enjoy food without going overboard, adopting the latest fad or being an extremist, mung bean eating air breather. Variety is the spice of life, moderation in your choices and good balance is about all you need.
- Have a hobby- This was the one that surprised me and it wasn’t even on my radar. “Get yourself a hobby”, he said.
Honestly, I just don’t have a hobby and that’s a shame.
Sure I go walking and ride my bike, but that’s my exercise; I do a bit of cooking but that’s diet taken care of and, yes, I do interact with other people which is the social interaction bit.
But I really don’t have a hobby, something I can get to when I finish doing these other things that takes me completely out of where I’ve been for the rest of my day.
Recently I was with 10 of my bike riding mates and went around the table to find out who had a hobby. Sadly, eight of us ruefully admitted we didn’t have one; we all knew we should and wanted one but just hadn’t done anything about it! The important thing is to get away from everything completely and veg over something you enjoy.
So, I’m going to do something about it! In fact, model trains look good. I’ve wanted to get into them for years.
Let me ask you a question. Do you have a hobby? If not, do something about it, now! Maintain your sanity and enjoy great health.
Hi Winno, I’m a twitcher or birdwatcher. But it can get obsessive, so not sure about sanity, but certainly get lots of fresh air! Model trains is a great hobby. My husband is into model aircraft of the vintage variety.
Golly Wendy I’d never heard that term twitcher so I looked it up… “The term twitcher, sometimes misapplied as a synonym for birder, is reserved for those who travel long distances to see a rare bird that would then be ticked, or counted on a list. The term originated in the 1950s, when it was used for the nervous behaviour of Howard Medhurst, a British birdwatcher.”
I learn something every day.
Yep, I used to make model planes when I was a kid… although the latest then probably vintage now!
Have a f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c day… Winno
Hello, Winno!
I’ve never thought of myself as an “extremist, mung bean eating air breather,” but I guess that I am. In fact, I just had some mung sprouts for lunch today. I actually feel better each time I have them. They are highly correlated with healthy longevity. I consider them a fountain of youth.
I enjoy great variety and balance in my vegan diet. It provides me with great health and energy to do the other things in my life that are important to me.
As for hobbies, don’t you consider your daily walks, weekly bike rides, or cooking as a hobby?
I’d say that cooking is now a hobby for me. It’s the first time in my life that I’ve enjoyed spending time in the kitchen.
I look forward to learning what you decide to do.
Yep, Gina I know what you have achieved since you adopted your Vegan diet and I think its wonderful… apologies if the mung eating comment was hurtful, As you know I am a close to being a vegetarian ever since the Hari Krishna people here in Melbourne helped me learn to cook their way.
No, I reckon my bike riding, dog walking an other activities are my exercise and fitness regime; not my hobbies.
Model trains still up there as a possible hobby but I am getting fascinated with the back garden in our new home and may focus on getting great vegetables growing. I’ll keep you up to speed.
Not hurtful at all. Humorous, as you usually are. I have a garden on my balcony. That is a great hobby. Eating fresh veggies is a key to longevity.
I’m starting small with a little garden bed in the backyard which has been carefully dug over and laced with lots of manure in preparation for the tomato seedlings going in on Cup Day in November. the traditional planting day for them in Victoria. Afraid that coz there’s so much manure on the garden (on the basis that more is good) my tomatoes may be beef flavoured.