The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast

Joanne Demers
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

The Aging Mask is a Life Style Wellness Podcast, where Lifestyle Medicine meets curiosity, learning and great conversation. The Aging Mask is a Podcast dedicated to exploring the transformative power of Lifestyle Medicine. Here is where I will share with  you what I have learned, and continue to learn as an "Ayurvedic Health Counselor".   Life Style Medicine  is a complete healing system focused on giving you the tools and practices to create greater health and happiness on a daily basis by using your innate healing ability. We will also discuss, and do a deep dive into the  six (6) most important pillars of health; which are; sleep, movement/physical activity, healthy emotions, meditation, nutrition and self-care.   There is no" one size fits all" prescription for your well- being, it is experiential, which means the choices you make about your experiences shape your body and mind, including your choices about food, personal relationships, sensory experiences, sleep, work social interactions and daily routine. As you shift your experiences, your biology will shift because your biology is the metabolism of experience. Please join me for engaging and educational discussions that highlight how every aspect  or your lifestyle contributes to your overall health and happiness!

  1. 1d ago

    Head to Toe: Did You Know?

    Send us Fan Mail We are going to take a journey that I call “Top of your head to the tip of your toes Did you know” Journey. I will share some of the many things I found about our bodies that  at one time or another really stuck with me, and have made me stop and appreciate what a miracle our body is. Every part of us was built for a specific reason, not one thing on us or in us  goes to waste, and there isn’t a part of us that doesn’t have a very hard and taxing job. Alright, let’s start this journey with hair. First- is your HAIR I think it is safe to say that most of us have a love hate relationship with our hair which is why we panic the minute we see large amounts of our hair in the shower and on our combs and brushes. BUT, before you sound the alarm, you should know that  most of us naturally lose about 50- 100 hairs every day, and it’s absolutely normal. Hair is everywhere we look, it’s on the floor, on us , on the couch, the counters, its everywhere. It sounds like a lot of hair loss until you realize you have around 100,000 hair follicles on your scalp, so losing a few dozen hairs daily is nothing at all.  Your hair is constantly growing, resting and shedding as part of its natural cycle. That your hair is actually at its weakest when its wet,  and it is strongest when it is dry? Water causes each strand of hair to swell- making it  more elastic and easier to stretch farther than normal, which means it’s also easier to break. Wet hair stretches and breaks a lot easier than dry, so be very  gentle with your wet hair. Honestly, whenever possible It’s  best to let your hair air dry naturally before combing it- if you can’t wait for a natural air dry then please use a wide-tooth comb this works through the tangles instead of forcing a brush through your wet hair. This is important.. hair is one of the first places our bodies gives us a clue that something is out of balance. If you notice that you are losing/shedding hair more than usual  your body may be trying to tell you that something has changed. Increased shedding can sometimes happen after a significant illness, major stress event, rapid weight loss, hormonal changes, certain medications, or maybe you are not getting enough protein or iron. Aging Mask takeaway.. Healthy hair starts from the inside out. Feed your body with enough protein, iron, zinc, healthy fats, daily movement, good sleep, and good stress management. Be gentle with wet hair. And if you start losing more than 100 hairs a day-please don’t ignore it- maybe, your hair is telling you to take a hard look at what’s happening  inside your body. Eye Lashes Eye lashes. The envy of many. The are one of the first things we notice, long, full eye lashes are so desirable that there is an entire industry built around making eye lashes long and full. We have extensions, lifts, mascara, and serums. The funny thing is.. eyelashes were not made to be admired.. they were designed to protect us. They are the first line of defense against dust, dirt, pollen, teeny tiny insects, and other particles that can get in and irritate your eyes. Eyelashes trigger the blink reflex when something gets too close  giving your eyes an extra layer of protection. Just like the hair on your head, eyelashes have their own life cycle of growth, rest and shedding, and because they are on different schedules you don’t lose them all at once. Each eye lash typically lives about 4-11 months before it naturally falls out and is replaced by a new one.  Aging Mask takeaway..  if you are spending a small fortune on eyelash products , castor oil may be worth trying. Its inexpensive, and it conditions your lashes and your brows making them look healthier and fuller. Remember I am not an ophthalmologist, so if you have an eye condition, or your eyes are sensitive, check with your eye doctor before using anything  in or around your eyes. Nose- Let’s travel down to the nose. We don’t really appreciate our noses. Every breath you take passes through your nose, where the air is filtered, warmed and humidified before it ever reaches your lungs. And while our human sense of smell is pretty amazing, it is still no match for a dog’s. It is estimated that humans have around 5-6 million scent receptors, while a lot of dogs have close to 300 million. And depending on the breed, a dog's sense of smell is 10k-100k times more sensitive than ours. Did you know that your nose doesn’t actually use both nostrils equally all day long. Instead, it follows something called the nasal cycle. Every few hours, one of your nostrils becomes slightly more open while the other becomes a little more congested- then they switch- turns every couple of hours. And then theMucus. Your nose and sinuses produce about  1 to 2 quarts of mucus every day. That’s equivalent to a standard 32-ounce carton of milk every single day, that to me is mind blowing- we don’t even notice it as  Most of it drains down the back of your throat, and you swallow it without ever noticing it.  That mucus is not there by accident- It is constantly trapping dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses and other tiny particles before they can make their way deeper into your body. When you have a cold or allergies, your body simply makes more mucus to help flush out whatever its trying to get rid of…so next time you need to blow your nose- just know your body is protecting you. Aging mask Takeaway Whenever possible, try breathing through your nose instead of your mouth- Your nose was designed to filter, warm and humidify  the air before it reaches your lungs and that’s important.  And don’t forget to stay hydrated!! Water helps keep your mucus thin so it can do its job of  protecting your airways without becoming thick or uncomfortable. Glutes- Butt cheeks Most of us think about our glutes from a cosmetic/ Aesthetic  standpoint.. We want them bigger, firmer, stronger, but glutes are about so much more than appearance. The gluteus maximus (its true name) is the largest muscle in your entire body…that’s right.. the biggest muscle you have is the one you are probably sitting on right now, and it’s not just designed for sitting… your glutes are designed to  power some of our most important movements. Every time you stand up from a chair, climb stairs, walk uphill, lift something off the floor, or simply maintain your balance.. your glutes are hard at work. When your glutes are strong, they help- keep your body moving efficiently, but when they are weak, other muscles have to compensate, which puts extra stress on your hips, knees and especially your lower back. So take note that weak glutes don’t just affect your butt cheeks, they affect the way your entire body moves. The Aging mask takeaway.. As we age, one of the biggest gifts we can give ourselves is strong glute muscles. If you spend a lot of time sitting, make it a habit to stand up and move throughout the day. Walking, climbing stairs, squats, step ups, and resistance exercises all help keep your glutes strong. Again, Strong glutes  aren’t just about looking good- they help protect your knees, support your hips, stabilize  your pelvis, and reduce strain on your lower back.. if you have pain in any of those areas, check your glutes before going in for tests. Take care of them, keep them strong and give them love for everything they do to keep you standing, walking and living an active life. We end the tour today with one of the hardest working parts of your body- your Achilles Tendon. It’s the thick, strong tendon at the back of your ankle that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. Every time you walk, climb stairs, stand on your tippy toes, or push off to take a step, your Achilles is hard at work. And it is the strongest and largest tendon in your body. It is capable of handling incredible amounts of force, when you walk, run, or jump. and yet despite its strength, it is also one of the tendons that gets injured most. Aging Mask lifestyle tip-    Your Achilles tendon works every time  you take a step so you want to make sure that you take care of it the best you can… and the best way is to keep your calve muscles flexible and strong is by doing calve stretches, heel raises, and of course walkingas much as possible, these will keep those Achilles healthy. However; if you suddenly feel pain, swelling or tightness in the back of your heel, don’t ignore it. Ease up on the activity causing it, give it a little rest. If you feel a “pop” don’t wait, go get it looked at. Tendons usually appreciate a gradual load, not sudden overload.  Your Achilles is the strongest tendon in your body, but even the strongest can get hurt once in a while. So take care of them, you need them. Stretch your calves regularly to keep your Achilles flexible. That was the end of our head to toe journey. I know we only scratched the surface. There are hundreds of amazing things our body does everyday, and these were just a few that I find the most interesting, and honestly, they are ones I have had the most personal experience with. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

    31 min

  2. Jun 17

    The Heavy Lifters We Never Notice

    Send us Fan Mail Today’s topic came to me as I witnessed one of the strangest things this past week, it was definitely a first for me. I came out to get in my car, which is garaged btw, and there were ants all over the front of my car. As I watched them crawl over my car for the 3rd consecutive day, I found myself wondering if you all know why ants exist,  and why fly’s exist??  I know that Most of us don’t have warm and fuzzy feelings toward either one. They give us the ick. They are not nice to look at. Ants invade our space and Flies annoy us with their buzzing, and all the gross things they do. But are you aware that  both of them play a very important role in maintaining the eco systems that WE humans depend on?  Now, before you wonder what the heck ants and flies have  to do with Lifestyle Medicine, stay with me. This episode isn’t really about insects. It’s about awareness. It’s about appreciation. It’s about learning to recognize the things that quietly support our lives on a daily basis. Sometimes the greatest lessons about health and life come from the most unexpected places, Sometimes they come from an Ant and a Fly. Most of us spend very little time appreciating them. We swat them away. Spray them. And avoid them. Yet both of them perform jobs that are essential to life on Earth. Ants may be tiny, annoying, creepy little things, BUT they are among the hardest workers on the planet. When they are not in your house or on your car, think of ants as tiny gardeners. *Ants spend their lives moving and breaking down organic material through the soil, creating tunnels underground that naturally aerate the Earth. Their tunnels help water penetrate deeper into the ground. Which helps roots grow Helps the soil stay healthy Some ants disperse seeds which help plants reproduce  and spread- and some ants breakdown dead insects and organic waste (yes poop). Ants support entire ecosystems Fun Fact: Scientists estimate there are about 20 QUADRILLION ants on earth. That is roughly 2.5 million ants for every person on earth, just so you know the math is right, I looked it up. The takeaway; don’t worry. EVER. About terminating them, they will replenish… and replenish in a blink of an eye. Flies have the worst public image in the insect world. They always land where we don’t want them too. Just as the ant, flies are also so important they have one of nature’s most important jobs. They clean up. They are one of nature’s recyclers. They help recycle dead plants, animals and organic waste back into the eco system- which returns nutrients back to the soil.-  So While flies drive us nuts, we need them, they do very critical work- they keep our ecosystems functioning. Get this.. there are more that 160k known species of flies. And did you know that a lot of these species also pollinate plants? It’s not just Bees. Flies are pollinators too. Both ants and flies are working every day, all day. And both of them contribute far more than most of us realize. With that being said, imagine if they disappeared. Imagine waking up tomorrow and every ant and fly  was gone, of course at first,  it would be great: No ants No fly’s  No annoyance Sounds pretty great until we realize what they took with them.  Soil quality would suffer No flowers Decomposition would slow  The food chains would be disrupted. A lot of birds, fish and reptiles would lose an important food source. The effects would ripple through entire eco systems. They would be enormous. This got me to thinking.. Just as natures ecosystems depend heavily on ants and flies, our human ecosystem relies heavily on a group of contributors we rarely  notice. The builders The Sanitation workers The Utility workers The road workers The people maintaining systems most of us rarely, if ever, think about. Imagine if they disappeared too. It would not take long at all before we found ourselves in a world of hurt. Have you ever thought to yourself, why do we tend to overlook things that contribute so much. The world is sustained by workers-both insect and human- that most of us never notice until their gone. We humans have a funny habit. We don’t really notice what’s working. We notice what’s missing. We enjoy the finished product, but we rarely think about the work that made it possible.  We love  our clean water Our Safe roads We love our Comfortable, safe homes Our healthy soil And food love food on the table. But we really don’t stop to consider everythingrequired to make those things possible. Maybe that’s because success is often invisible. The better something performs its job, the less attention it receives. Familiarity creates blindness. We don’t overlook important things because they are unimportant. We overlook them because they are familiar. They are there everyday Doing what they have always done. The more consistently something serves us, the less attention we give it. We stop noticing it. We stop appreciating it And we begin to expect it. What once felt so remarkable, slowly becomes ordinary. Not because its value has changed, but because we have grown accustomed to it. And the irony of that is.. some of the most important things in our lives become the easiest  to overlook. Not because they’re insignificant- but because they’ve been showing up for us all along. And maybe there is another reason things become ordinary..  Maybe we are just drawn to things that are attractive, pleasant, and easy to admire. We tend to assign value based on appearance rather than contribution. We mistake appearance for importance. And we confuse  attention with contribution. We admire what is visible while overlooking what is useful. The more  I think about ants, flies, rabbits and the people who keep our community running, the more I realize That “visibility is not the same as value” Something can be highly visible- receive a lot of attention- and contribute very little to our daily lives… And something else can go completely unnoticed while making life possible. We live in a world that rewards attention. But attention and contribution are not the same thing either.. SO many of the things holding our world together operate behind the scenes. Without recognition Without applause Without anyone noticing at all. I think we have become so focused on what is visible that we have forgotten to appreciate what is valuable. And maybe, that’s the lesson ants and flies have been teaching us  all along… Value isn’t determined by how much attention something receives.. Value is determined by the role it plays and the contribution it makes. Just because something is highly visible doesn’t make it important. And just because something goes unnoticed doesn’t make it less valuable.  At the end of the day, the things holding our world together are the very things we rarely notice. The truth is, this episode  was never really about ants and flies, They just helped me  illustrate a larger point. A point about perspective. A Point about appreciation. And a point about the countless things that quietly support my life and your life everyday.. The more I thought about ants and flies, the more I realized they are not so different than humans. Ants contribute to their eco system Flies contribute to their eco system And millions of people contribute to the human eco system. …think about your home.. dozens of people contribute to building one home.. And we don’t recognize their value until their gone. Let this serve as your reminder… that the world is held together by countless workers operating in the shadows: Some have 6 legs Some wear hard hats Some drive garbage trucks Some build homes Most receive little to no recognition- yet, without them, everything changes. With that being said, I think that one of the greatest gifts we can develop is appreciation… not just for the amazing things- but for ordinary, behind the scene things that make life possible… The things that keep showing up- that keep working…. The things that we assume will always be there. Remember- some of the most valuable things in life are not the most visible… they are just the most reliable. SO next time you see an ant crawling around somewhere it shouldn’t be, or a fly buzzing annoyingly around your head- let them serve as a reminder.. contribution matters.. Every eco system- whether natural or human- depends on countless workers doing their part. Today was really about learning to appreciate the things that keep your life running beforeyou discover what life looks like without them. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask-A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

    22 min

  3. Jun 10

    Abracadabra: I Create as I Speak

    Send us Fan Mail Hi. Welcome back to the Aging Mask Podcast. A lifestyle medicine podcast where together we  explore lifestyle, wellness, and our everyday choices that shape the way we age. I am Joanne Demers Your weekly wellness companion. Thank you for listening. What do you think of  when I say Abracadabra? Do you immediately think of a magician standing on stage waiving his wand, and performing magic?   A word used to represent magic, mystery, & entertainment? Or did you immediately think of the famous abracadabra song  by Steve Miller-who used the word to express something spellbound or irresistible? Either way, most of us do associate the word abracadabra with magic, mystery and entertainment.  BUT what if I told you that long before magicians and musicians  borrowed the word- Abracadabra carried a much deeper meaning?  For centuries , Abracadabra was actually associated with the power of language and the belief that words possess influence & power. Abracadabra means … “ I create as I speak.” Think about that.. “I create as I speak. Not create in a magical sense. But create through beliefs. Through perception Through identity And through our everyday choices. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly creating something with our words. We are creating stories and expectations, and we are creating limitations or possibilities. We are creating the way we see ourselves and the way we move through the world. Think about it this way… Before we become anything we speak about it first. Our words are not just sounds coming out of our mouths but forces that help shape our beliefs, our actions, our confidence, our relationships and ultimately our lives.   So today, we are going to explore abracadabra not as magic, and not lyrics, but as a reminder that what we repeatedly speak, our words, Influence the person we become. It’s funny think about words. Words don’t weigh anything You can’t hold them in your hands You can’t measure them on a scale Yet, words have the power to change the course of your life. Now, does science prove that we can magically create our lives simply by speaking something out loud? NO. BUT. It does show that the stories we repeatedly tell ourselves influence how we think, how we act, and how we respond to challenges. What gives words their power is not their sound, but the impact they have on our mind. The words we use internally shape the direction we move in.  Overtime, our words influence our confidence, motivation and our willingness to engage with challenge or change. This is not because words directly produce outcomes- but because they contribute to our internal mindset that determines whether we approach life with avoidance or engagement. Words help you create the person who will either moves forward toward possibility,  or away from it. Pursue the outcome or avoid it. I don’t think most of us realize how often we predict  our own future with the words we use. The words we speak determine whether we move toward something, or away from something. Possibility Matters- Possibility matters because when we believe growth is possible, we tend to take action. ·   We try ·   We practice ·   We learn And ·   We improve Our words become the doorway through which action enters.. a lot of us unknowingly close that door to action before we even take the first step. Every day we are speaking something over our lives. A possibility Or A limitation. A door opening Or a door closing. And more often than not. We dont realize which one we are choosing until years down the road -when we look back and see where those words have taken us. Now, let me be clear.. when I say “words create our reality”- it’s not about magical thinking, we can’t simple sayabracadabra and make it appear or disappear… *words don’t change the weather *they don’t erase challenges *And words don’t magically make life easy. But our words definitely influence how we experience the world around us. Words influence thought Thought influences behavior and Behavior influences outcomes Abracadabra, “I create as I speak”. Maybe the real meaning isn’t  that words magically create our lives. Maybe, it’s that our words help create the person who creates our life. And that person is You. Please, please understand that words possess power, a lot of power. And even more than words, repetition is powerful. I think a lot of us underestimate how powerful repeated words really are. What we repeatedly say becomes what we repeatedly believe, and what we repeatedly believe, influences what we repeatedly do. And overtime, repetition shapes our perceptions, influences our expectations, and reinforces the stories we tell ourselves about who we are  and what is possible. Our mind pays attention to what it hears all the time. And  once your mind absorbs  repetition, especially emotional repetition, your brain listens, your nervous system listens, your relationship listens, kids  listen, and even your body listens -then your mind & body respond to the emotional environment you created by your words. It is a fact that our thoughts, attitude, and perceptions influence our stress levels, our motivation and our overall well-being. It is a fact that our thoughts, attitude, and perceptions influence our stress levels, our motivation and our overall well-being. Every day we are speaking ourselves toward growth or toward limitation. So keep in mind.. that whatever we hear repeatedly begins to feel familiar, and whatever feels familiar to us begins to feel true. This is why awareness matters. One of the biggest lessons hidden inside the idea of abracadabra is awareness. Most of us are completely unaware of the words that are coming out of our mouths. Maybe, we think they are harmless, funny, self-deprecating, but as they get repeated over and over again- they begin to shape how we see ourselves. One of the most valuable skills we can develop is becoming aware of our words. So many people speak on auto pilot so they don’t realize how often they criticize themselves- how often they predict failure. Being aware of your words allows you to take a second and ask: is that true? Or is this just simply a story I’ve been repeating? Sometimes we just become so familiar with our own language  that we stop hearing it. Being aware helps you listen again. If abracadabra  means  “ I create as I speak “-Awareness is the moment we begin listening to what we are creating. Another powerful aspect of words are their ability to shape identity. I think this is a very important part of today’s topic. Identity is powerful.- it may be the most powerful thing words create. and words are one of the primary ways identity is formed and reinforced. The words we repeat become the stories we believe.  The stories we believe become the identities we carry. And the identities we carry help shape the lives we live. Before I wrap up.. I have something for you to think about. Now you know that your words are building your future self, what kind of person are you creating? Are you creating courage or fear? Possibility or limitation? Growth or stagnation? Hope or defeat? Remember: everyday whether you realize it or not, you are speaking something over your life, you are rehearsing a story and  reinforcing your identity. Abracadabra. “I create as I speak.”  is  our reminder that words  matter. not through magic.  But through.. The words we speak to ourselves  The words we speak to others The words we repeat every day. They all matter. They create our identity and they unknowingly help build other peoples identities. While words may not create a magical reality, they absolutely help shape the way we experience it. Remember Words create identity And Identity creates action And action creates a future. So notice the words you repeat  and  Notice the labels you carry. I have personally witnessed the power behind the word “abracadabra, and it has made me more aware of one simple fact: What we repeatedly speak- we do create- and begin to live. The takeaway for today is:  Abracadabra is not just a word. It’s a reminder  of the power of words.   So, just a friendly reminder.. Be aware of the words coming out of your mouth. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949) 236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

    20 min

  4. Jun 3

    Spider Veins & Varicose Veins: Webs, Branches, and Rope

    Send us Fan Mail Hi. Welcome back to the Aging Mask Podcast. A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast that explores Lifestyle, Wellness, and our Everyday Choices that shape the way we Age. I am Joanne Demers. Your weekly wellness companion.  Thank you for listening. Today, we are talking about veins, not just veins, but spider veins and varicose veins. Those not always tiny, red, blue purple or bulging veins that seem to just pop up out of nowhere.  If you have ever looked at your legs and wondered why you have these veins, you are not alone.  You are definitely not alone. Spider Veins and Varicose veins are just another itemon the long list of things we compare about ourselves. And since they have made the list of comparables, I thought it would be fun to explain them. Admittingly, there is one thing that I do appreciate about spider and varicose veins…the good news.. they are  equal opportunity employers… they affect Men and Women.  BUT, there is bad news; They are more common in women. Veins are blood vessels whose sole responsibility is to carry blood back to your heart. All veins carry blood back to your heart, but the veins in our legs have one of  the hardest jobs in your body as they must constantly work against gravity to move blood upward, which is one reason spider and varicose veins are more common on your legs. In order to do this, veins contain tiny one- way valves; think of them as little doors- they open to allow blood upward and close to prevent your blood from falling backward, pretty cool, huh? When these valves work properly, your blood flows efficiently- but when they weaken, blood begins to pool, and that is where the problem starts. Overtime, that increased pressure can stretch your vein walls and contribute to the development of spider and varicose veins. Now, these are more  terms that we use interchangeably, but Spider Veins and Varicose Veins are not the same.  Both of them are linked to increased pressure inside the veins, but the difference is where that pressure occurs, and how severe it becomes. Spider veins are the tiny veins you see. They sit close to the surface of your skin, and they look like: Spider webs Tree branches Or some can look like cracks under your skin. Spider veins they are usually- red, purple or blue. They are typically flat, and for the most part they do not ,and will not ,cause you any physical discomfort. Varicose Veins… are bigger veins that have become stretched out overtime. When the little valves inside stop working as well as they should, blood pools in the vein, causing it to get bigger, twist, and sometimes bulge out beneath your skin looking like rope.  Unlike spider veins, which are mostly just a cosmetic concern, varicose veins can sometimes cause symptoms like: Aching, throbbing, swelling, leg fatigue or discomfort which tends to worsen after long periods of sitting or standing. That said, not all people with  varicose veins experience symptoms. Some people have very visible veins with no discomfort at all. PS) you might find relief in this:  Spider Veins don’t typically morph into varicose veins. Spider Veins are not baby Varicose Veins. There isn’t just one cause. Most of the time, spider veins and varicose veins develop from a combination of pressure, time and biology. The most common causes of increased pressure in your veins is : *If you stand to long-  anyone who spends hours upright without a lot of  movement – this places strain on your veins.  *If you sit to long- today we do a lot of sitting- hours and hours sitting at a desk, in cars, and airplanes- these all reduce healthy circulation. *if you have excess body weight- more weight means more pressure on the veins in  your lower legs- this means Your veins have to work harder to push the blood back up  to the heart, and that constant strain can contribute to the weakening of those tiny one way valves inside the veins)the doors)- and when those valves no longer close properly, blood starts to pool, increasing the pressure- and leading to varicose veins. *Hormonal changes- can affect the elasticity of the veins. Hormonal changes make the vein walls more relaxed and prone to stretching,  and these changes make it harder for the veins and their tiny valves to function as efficiently as before. We want our veins to be flexible, but not overly stretched. Think of  a rubber band- a new- healthy rubberband stretches then returns to its original shape. An old or overused rubberband stretches- but it doesn’t bounce back the same- this is the same thing that happens to our veins. Aging As we age. ·   Our vein walls become less elastic ·   Our valves weaken ·   And years of gravity and pressure accumulate- so spider and varicose veins become more common with age. When it comes to the cause of Spider and varicose veins.. The biggest factor of all.. is genetics. Most of the time veins arrive because  of genetics. Some people inherit stronger vein walls and more efficient valves. And other people inherit veins that are more susceptible to stretching and pressure over time. Every BODY is different- You can lead an almost identical lifestyle to your sibling- and still have completely different vein patterns. You may develop spider veins and varicose veins, while they have none at all. This is an important reminder that veins are not always  reflection of what you’re doing-  or not doing-  Sometimes they are just genetics...end of story. The biggest misconception about spider and varicose veins is that they are just a cosmetic issue, sometimes they are… Sometimes ..they are just visible reminders of hormones, pregnancy, genetics and aging…. But sometimes they are a message from your circulation asking for attention. Being we can’t change genes, and we definitely can’t stop aging, And we aren’t able to control every vein that appears, we can take steps to  support our body and the veinsthat carry us through life.. By supporting our circulation through movement, maintaining a healthy weight, staying hydrated, healthy habits, and early intervention when a problem arises. Of all the non-invasive tools available, compression socks are highly recommended- because they are one of the few things that actually help “symptoms”. They  work by gently squeezing your legs, with the greatest amount of pressure around your ankle -and then give gradually less pressure as they move up your leg.  Compression socks provide support to the veins themselves. The gentle pressure helps prevent  blood from pooling in your lower legs, reduces swelling, and helps the veins move blood back upwards towards your heart. With a lot of products out there comes the promise of miraculous results is there, but it’s a lie. There isn’t a cream, lotion or potion that will eliminate or repair established or damagedveins. Creams and lotions  may: Improve skin appearance Reduce temporary swelling And soothe any discomfort  you may have. There are no foods out there that remove spider & varicose veins either- BUT there are certain foods that support blood vessel health. IF you focus on eating: Berries Citrus fruits Leafy greens Beets Nuts and seeds And beans. These all contain compounds that support healthy circulation and connective tissues. And of course lots of water. Hydration is beneficial to veins too. Being hydrated will NOT erase spider veins or varicose veins it does support healthy circulation. Our blood is largely made up of water, so staying hydrated helps your circulatory system function efficiently. Hydration also supports healthy muscle function, including your calf muscles. Water is just another habit that supports  vein health, again, not a cure, but definitely a foundation. Drinking Turmeric Tea- which is anti-inflammatory And  Ginger Tea-  which supports circulation But again, these supporters can’t  eliminate established  spider or varicose veins. Before I say goodbye- I have some take away food for thought for you. Some traditions say that varicose veins symbolically represent feeling unsupported, stuck, burdened, or unable to move forward- feeling like you are living a lie and not living up to your full potential. Too much stress ,pressure and responsibility. And  you may be carrying such a big load that your legs can no longer support you. varicose veins are a symbol of carrying too much for too long… At the end of the day, your legs carry you through every stage of life. So. Maybe, this is reason enough to appreciate them, support them and keep them moving. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

    31 min

  5. May 27

    Patience: Emotional Strength in an Impatient World

    Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode is on something I have been trying to work on for years, and honestly, I still struggle with it every day.  And that is the art of “Patience”. And I am not even going to pretend I have mastered this art because I absolutely. have. not. In fact, I am the most impatient person  I have ever met…and I am not joking. I have been struggling with patience for as long as I can remember. And yet somehow.. there is still not a day that goes by where I am not battling impatience in some area of my life. And the ironic part is.. Life has tried to teach me patience so many times, and in so many ways, but apparently I am a very slow learner when it comes to this lesson. What I have realized though, is that impatience does not just create  frustration, it creates stress, It affects relationships. It affects our mental state. It affects how we treat other people. And honestly, how we treat ourselves. And the older I get, I know that impatience has caused me far more damage than patience ever would have. I will tell you that  the most important lesson I have learned to date, is that.. patience is not just about waiting. It’s about how we behave while we wait.  I think it’s important to define patience. Patience: Is the ability to accept or tolerate delay, difficultly, inconvenience, or discomfort, without becoming anxious or irritable. It involves remaining calm and composed while waiting  for a desired outcome, enduring hardship, or dealing with challenging people or situations. Sounds simple. That is, until life starts testing it. Patients isn’t really tested when things are going our way. Patience is not just a personality trait, it is a mix of biology, psychology, life experience and environment  all working together. For a face paced mind, waiting doesn’t feel neutral, its feels uncomfortable. Almost like something is wrong that needs to be fixed.  When someone is living in a state of chronic stress, anxiety or overwhelm the nervous system is already under a lot of pressure, and in that state, even the smallest delays  or inconveniences feel amplified. A calm nervous system naturally has more space to tolerate waiting. And Another major factor is ‘learned behavior” We inherit emotional responses from our environment growing up. If you were raised in a fast paced, reactive, or high pressure environment, impatience can become a default response, we learn that urgency equals control. That speed equals safety. And that waiting equals discomfort. And overtime , that becomes automatic. Our brains are built around dopamine, the chemical involved in motivation and reward. When we repeatedly experience instant rewards our brain starts to expect instant outcomes. Overtime, delayed gratification feels more uncomfortable, not because we are weak, but because the brain has been trained toward instant satisfaction. And finally, Life Experience plays a huge role in patience. Some people develop patience through repetition- through our fitness, parenting, long term goals , healing, or situations where  we  learn that rushing doesn’t help. They may not have had as many experiences that have required long term waiting or emotional endurance. So when you combine all of this together;  temperament, stress levels, learned behaviors, brain conditioning, and life experience, you start to see why patients varies so much from person to person. NOT TO WORRY-Patience isn’t fixed. Even if someone is naturally more reactive  or fast paced, patience can still be strengthened overtime, Not perfectly. And by no means overnight. But gradually, through awareness, lifestyle changes and practice. Now, Patience is influenced by biology, environment, and stress and life experience. Impatience  comes from wanting certainty, movement, results and answers. When things feel unclear, delayed or out of our control, our minds naturally want resolution. It wants things to move forward. It wants closure. It wants speed. And our brain wants certaintyinstead of waiting in uncertainty. This is where impatience starts to build. But environment matters here  too. We now live in a time where almost everything is “instant satisfaction”. *instant entertainment *Instant communication *instant shopping And  *instant answers We barely have to wait for anything anymore. Even patient people are loving instant satisfaction. And overtime , I think that changes us psychologically. It lowers our tolerance for waiting, for effort, for uncertainty and even for boredom. The things that matter most, like  relationships, health, career growth, healing and trust, they all require time, repetition, and emotional endurance. Everything that once required patience, connection, effort, and emotional presence are now competing against instant forms of stimulation… even areas like intimacy and relationships, there are now forms of stimulation that offer immediate reward without the same emotional depth, connection, communication or patients that real human intimacy requires.. One huge example of this is pornography.  From a psychological perspective, pornography offers immediate reward with very little patience required. “Real intimacy is slooooower, and it requires all the things: But having instant stimulation(in this case) trains the brain differently. And honestly, I don’t think this only applies to porn- I think applies to modern life in general. We are constantly overstimulated and conditioned to expect speed. So when real life moves slower than technology does.. frustration shows itself. And when that happens across so many parts of your life , patience naturally becomes harder to sustain. Our brains are slowly losing tolerance for delayed results. Now that we are constantly surrounded by environments that encourage urgency, instant gratification, instant satisfaction, and emotional reactivity. I honestly think impatience is becoming a habit  for a lot of people, and they just assume it’s part of their personality. I do believe  that impatience can absolutely become habitual, because again, our brain learns thru repetition. *The more we rush *The more we react emotionally *The more we expect immediate movement, answers and results. The more our brain begins treating urgency as normal. Eventually impatience stops being an occasional reaction  and becomes an automatic response. You stop tolerating discomfort.. You stop allowing things to unfold naturally. Instead, everything starts feeling like it needs to happen NOW. And overtime, impatience slowly shapes  the way we move through life. We get everywhere faster *We get angry faster *Frustrated faster And we get Judgmental & lose empathy  faster.. because now our nervous system is conditioned  to constant urgency. And the hard part is that life reinforces this habit constantly. We don’t really practice waiting anymore so we are losing our tolerance for slowness, which actually makes impatience dangerous as a habit- because now it feels normal.  I have noticed how impatience has woven itself into our everyday life- not just in me, but everywhere around me . People interrupt constantly They react before thinking  We seem to be practicing  reactivity and not patience, and remember ; whatever we practice we strengthen. The good news is that if impatience can become a habit, patience can too. Impatience is stressful. Not just emotionally but physically too. Patience may be one of the hardest emotional skills to develop in this life. Our world is constantly pushing speed, urgency, instant gratification, and overstimulation. And overtime, that pressure affects our minds, our nervous systems, our relationships and our overall wellbeing. We are all becoming less tolerant of waiting, discomfort, uncertainty, inconvenience, and slowness- and  This is  exactly why patience  matters more than ever. We need to fight for patience again- it’s worth it. *Maybe we need to slow down a little. *Take better care of our bodies *Reduce your constant overstimulation * sleep better * practice emotional restraint * allow people to move differently than we do. * and we need to learn to tolerate inconvenience without immediately reacting. And maybe, most importantly, remembering that not everything meaningful in life is supposed to happen instantly. In many ways , patience may actually be one of the strongest forms of emotionally control left in a world that is constantly trying to speed us up. And while it may never be mastered, it can absolutely be practiced, one reaction at a time. And remember… patience is not weakness. -And Impatience does far more damages to us than the waiting itself. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

    31 min

  6. May 20

    Everybody is a Role Model to Somebody

    Send us Fan Mail Today’s class is on role models. I want you to know this true fact.. “Everybody is a role model to somebody”. That means YOU are a role model to someone whether you realize it or not. Your behavior is always  being observed, and not just by kids, or somebody you are close too, but by friends, coworkers, family and even strangers. *Someone out there is watching the way you speak. *How you handle stressful situations *the way  you treat people  * How you take care of yourself * And watching the way you show up in everyday life. Here is the important part of that; most of the time, you  don’t even know who you are influencing. Someone is learning from you without ever telling you. And Maybe. Just maybe. YOU are learning from somebody in the exact same way. This is what makes this topic of role models so interesting, because role models aren’t  just something that you look for, they are something YOU are. You are a role model every day to somebody. A Role Model is simply someone whose behavior influences another person That’s it. The funny thing is, a role model may never even know they impacted you. Just like YOU may never know how much you impacted somebody. When we hear the words “role model” most of us immediately think of celebrities, athletes or public figures. But personally.. I don’t think that’s where the strongest role models usually come from… I think that the strongest role models are people we know  in real life. I just think that You can better judge someone’s character when you are a witness to how they live every day. Sure, It’s really easy to admire someone from a distance, especially online. But the truth is; you only see curated moments, you don’t fully know how they really live when the cameras are off. And I think that matters.. because a true role model is not just someone who looks successful.. its someone whose  character aligns with the image they present. That’s why I think it’s important to look close to home. Your real life. I’m sure There are incredible role models inside your own family- friend groups- your workplace and maybe your local community.  They may be  people who will never become famous, but, they live with integrity, do the right thing consistently, and they do this without needing attention, praise, or recognition for it. These are the people worth learning from the most. And Role Models are not just people we admire, they are people whose behavior shapes the way we think, act and live. A REAL Role Model talks the talk… and walks the walk. I thinks it’s also really important to  recognize that a role model and a mentor are not exactly the same thing. We sometimes use these two words interchangeably, but there is a difference. -A mentor guides you, teaches you and advises you. They teach with words- A Mentorteaches Intentionally -A Role Model is different… A role model teaches you through action. They teach thru Behavior, choices, and through the way they live.  A Role Model  teaches unintentional.  We may never officially be asked to mentor someone in our lifetime, BUT  our behavior will still leave a lasting impression on somebody else. Honestly. That’s kind of crazy. This should really make us stop and think about: How we handle our emotions,  and how we care for ourselves mentally, physically and emotionally. Because all of this teaches someone, something. If you talk about fitness and health, but you cut corners when things get tough or inconvenient, people notice that too. But the opposite is also true.  When you  show consistency, discipline, honesty and self-respect in how you live people notice that as well. Your actions give others permission to improve their own lives…. And that’s so powerful. And honestly alittle scary too. Because  it means that the way we live doesn’t  just affect us… good habits tend to  create a ripple effect. That may sound like a lot of pressure.. but here’s the thing.. you don’t need to be perfect…  Being a role model, does NOT mean being perfect. Most of the time, just being honestcan teach more than appearing  perfect. Be mindful that someone is always watching, and sometimes that  awareness alone will push you to live and behave better. Because The people we view as “perfect” can feel unreachable… but real people relate to real people… No false advertisement…. just imperfect authenticity. * So admitting mistakes…. *Taking accountability *Trying again *Learning  *And Growing. That’s influence. A healthy role model isn’t someone who never falls. Its someone who learns, grows, and gets back up.I think  that’s important  to remember because sometimes we avoid leadership or influence because we  think   "We are not perfect enough” But that doesn’t mean we can’t still positively impact someone else.  I want to quickly Circle back to social media. Of course I have to bring in Social Media. Social media has completely changed the way we find role models. You don’t need to be famous anymore for people to observe your life.  And I think this brings up the important question of... "What are people out there promoting without realizing it"? Are they encouraging: Happiness Health Growth  Friendship and  Support.. Or… are they normalizing comparison, Negativity, Drama, competition,  And ..Constant validation seeking? Because being a role model isn’t only about what you say or do directly, it’s about what you normalize. And I think the younger generation especially absorb all of it.  They are finding influence in the virtual world every day. Which is why it’s  so important to stay mindful of the kind of energy, behavior, and lifestyle we consistently put out into the world. And honestly.. Today, I think we all need to be careful about choosing role models based on appearance, popularity, and online influence. I also don’t necessarily think a role model has to be the same gender as you. A good role model is a good role model. Core traits like integrity, honesty consistency, kindness, accountability, discipline, and emotional regulation matter far more than gender. That being said.. Men and women move through the world differently, and because of that, there can be value in learning from people who share similar lived experiences. Sometimes people of the same sex may naturally model certain things more closely- how to navigate relationships, responsibilities, boundaries, confidence, different pressures in life and masculinity and femininity. And  I think that relatability can matter.  But at the end of the day.. being a role model is less about gender and more about how someone lives- that’s what we truly learn from. One thing I personally really respect is  “ Quiet Leadership”. People who live well without constantly  announcing it. *People who keep their word *Treat others fairly and with respect(if earned *manage their emotions * take care of their physical and mental health * and they always choose to do the right thing- even when it’s the harder thing to do. And nobody knows… except me… I know… because I am watching. To me, those are the role models that  leave the biggest & lasting  impression. They aren’t loud, and not performing, they are just quietly in the background being a genuinely good human being. My all-time favorite saying is: “Money talks and Wealth Whispers” For me, I think the best Role Models whisper too. Maybe that’s why role models matter more than we realize. This is probably the biggest take away from today’s class on Role Models.. You never know truly know who is being impacted by your behavior.. Someone may see.. *your discipline * your patience *Your kindness and generosity *And your resilience And silently think to themselves... “If they can do it, I can do it too”. Sometimes people learn from us and never tell us, and honestly, that’s why I think character matters. Again, Not because we need to be perfect. And not because we are out to impress people, but because our  “everyday choices”shape the environment around us. At the end of the day, there is no wishing you were a role model to someone. Because you already are. Somewhere, somebody is always watching you. So, set a great example. Live quietly. Do your absolute best . And always choose to do the right thing even when you think nobody’s watching. That’s all for today.  Thank you for listening. Until next week. Live in gratitude, and go live your best day yet! Enjoy Joanne Demers The Aging Mask Podcast- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949) 236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

    19 min

  7. May 13

    Parasites: Guests You Don't Want to Host

    Send us Fan Mail At the most basic level, a parasite is an organism that lives in or on another living organism- called  the host, and relies on the host for survival.  Parasites survive in or on a host by taking nutrients and  resources from the host body, which can interfere with normal bodily functions. Parasites may live in the digestive system, blood, in or on the skin or other tissues depending on the type, and can range from microscopic single celled organisms-to larger worm like organisms- to external parasites like lice or mites. When a parasite is present and actively affecting  the body, it is considered a parasitic infection. Now, Infection only occurs when the parasite successfully enters your body, survives, and begins to live and establish itself in your body in a way that starts to affect you physically. It’s important to note here that not every parasite leads to infection, and not every infection causes major symptoms, and a lot of parasitic infections are treatable when they are properly identified, meaning, medically identified. Parasites are typically introduced into your body through specific types of exposure- not ever randomly. One of the most common ways is through Consuming contaminated food or water.  We used to think nothing of drinking out of the hose- but today you don’t because of the dense population, our water has more contamination from sewage, industry, and agriculture.  So, drinking water today needs to be treated, processed and filtered to help prevent contamination  from harmful organisms- like bacteria, viruses, and parasites from entering our bodies. Some parasites can also be picked up through soil exposure. In some parts of the world walking barefoot outdoors can expose you to certain types of parasites, especially in environments where sanitation is limited. There are 3 main types of parasites that are most often talked about: *Protozoa- these are microscopic, single celled parasites- meaning they are made up of just one cell that does everything  needed for survival; getting energy, moving, reproducing and responding to its environment. *Helminths- Are  larger, worm like parasites. They are multicellular organisms, which means they are made up of a lot of cells and each one has a different job in order to keep it alive.   Ectoparasites-  These are external -they live on the outside of your body rather than inside.These parasites are lice and mites.  The truth is .. Yes, they exist. Yes, they can affect your body. NO. They are not something everyone is dealing with. No. having a parasite doesn’t require you to panic or go to extreme measures to get rid of it. There is no single symptom that automatically points to a parasite, there are symptoms associated with parasites that overlap with other health issues; digestive issues, stress, food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies , or just plain illness, so it can be hard to tell. The goal is not to overthink it. The goal is  Awareness, not anxiety. It’s Understanding how your body works, how exposure happens, and when to seek proper evaluation if something feels off.  And like most things health wise,  its less about drastic action, and more about consistent  support. And really, it all comes back to: Supporting your body.   Supporting your gut. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask - A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

    35 min

  8. May 6

    "Don't Ever Change"- Love or Limitation?

    Send us Fan Mail “Don’t Ever Change”- It sounds like one of the nicest things you could say to someone, or have someone say to you. Right?  It sounds loving,  and it sounds like something you would say to someone you care about a lot. But what if it’s not loving?  If you really sit with it, it just might be one of the worst pieces of advice that we have normalized as a society.  “Don’t Ever Change’.   What it means.. and what it says.. aren’t always the same. Its sounds nice,for sure. It also sounds supporting and comforting. But underneath that, it can carry a different message: Stay the same. Stay familiar. Stay predictable And if we take it literally.. We are asking someone.. *To stop changing *To stop growing * And to stop evolving.  This goes against everything we are supposed to do as human beings.  We are not meant to stay the same. We are meant to grow We are meant to learn To change our minds And to think differently as we evolve. “Don’t ever change”. Its Limitation. It’s a bad message buried inside a  good one.  And we say it all the time…  We say it in relationships We say it to our partners We even say it to our kids. And most of the time.. we don’t stop to think about what we are really saying or asking. What we mean is love. But what we are actually saying is  Freeze.Stay as you are. Stay put. Now, Before we go any further, I want to quickly define the three words for you:  They are not the same, but they are connected. Change is action. It’s the moment something shifts- your thinking, your behavior, or your perspective. Growth is result. It’s what happens when that change moves you forward- when you learn, improve or become better  And Evolution is what happens over time. It’s the bigger picture- the way you develop and become someone different as those changes add up. And without change, the other two don’t happen. Growth, Change, and evolution should be a part of a relationship- not something that puts it at risk. Because if two people are committed to growing then the patterns don’t break the relationship- they evolve with it. Being in a relationship requires both people being willing to adjust the pattern as they both evolve.  This is something nobody talks about; When you meet someone You fall in love with them. You build a life around who they are at that time. Then: You get engaged. Before you say “Yes”, I want you to know and understand that you are not marrying a finished product. You a marrying a version. A moment in time. And that version is going to change. And so are you. The truth is: ·   You are allowed to change- and you don’t need     permission. ·   You are allowed to change your mind ·   To see things differently. ·   To want different things than you once did. ·   And You are allowed to become more. And  the right relationship.. the healthy one... don’t punish you for that. And the right partner will be proud to stand next to someone who wants to grow, evolve and become the best version of themselves. That’s reality. "Keep on Keeping On" Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

    22 min
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About

The Aging Mask is a Life Style Wellness Podcast, where Lifestyle Medicine meets curiosity, learning and great conversation. The Aging Mask is a Podcast dedicated to exploring the transformative power of Lifestyle Medicine. Here is where I will share with  you what I have learned, and continue to learn as an "Ayurvedic Health Counselor".   Life Style Medicine  is a complete healing system focused on giving you the tools and practices to create greater health and happiness on a daily basis by using your innate healing ability. We will also discuss, and do a deep dive into the  six (6) most important pillars of health; which are; sleep, movement/physical activity, healthy emotions, meditation, nutrition and self-care.   There is no" one size fits all" prescription for your well- being, it is experiential, which means the choices you make about your experiences shape your body and mind, including your choices about food, personal relationships, sensory experiences, sleep, work social interactions and daily routine. As you shift your experiences, your biology will shift because your biology is the metabolism of experience. Please join me for engaging and educational discussions that highlight how every aspect  or your lifestyle contributes to your overall health and happiness!

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