Where's my mojo?

[laughingblade]

So I've lost my bounce, said Tigger. Not unhappy, but too little boinggg...

 

50, a little weary and too often injured. My thought processes are slow... I've done a little Tai Chi & Qigong and am presently starting off Ya Mu's Stillness-Movement.

 

When I'm not injured I'll be doing Ya Mu's Gift of the Tao, perhaps Pilates/Yoga for core and agility.

 

What experience or advice does the panel have for regenerating pep, interest, vitality, in particular mental agility and enthusiasm?

 

Nutrition and supplements perhaps? Brief therapies? Psychotherapy and Taiwanese jungle masters don't really resonate

 

Rich xx

 

Edit for typo

Edited August 19, 2011 by laughingblade

[Raz]

at 50+ this works wonders =)

 

http://supplementspot.com/-c-22/dhea-90-capsules-100-mg-p-1000

[laughingblade]

Thanka Raz: DHEA - do you heve personal experience?

 

There seems to be no reliable evidence that DHEA slows ageing or improves mental acuity, so any experience would be of interest. I guess I could self-diagnose with mild depression (more Eeyore than Tigger), but I don't suffer other problems such as erectile dysfunction or lupus.

 

Rich

[C T]

I am pushing 52, Rich. I can totally relate to this.

 

Just to let you know you are not alone

 

For me, i try to absorb myself in the simple things in life. Of course, first, there is the learning process of uncovering what we are passionate about.

 

What would your passions be, i wonder? If you dont mind telling that is...

[Marblehead]

Nutrition and supplements perhaps?

 

I would say that this would be step one.

 

No recommendations. Do your research and comparisons.

 

Remember though, suppliments take on average 90 days before any changes can be detected.

 

Personally, I can honestly say that what I take has helped me greatly mainly because I have horrible eating habits.

 

Best Wishes.

[Raz]

[laughingblade]

What would your passions be, i wonder? If you dont mind telling that is...

 

Very perceptive of you... I enjoy a number of things - cycling camping reading, I have a fabulous partner and a teenage son. But passions none once the initial buzz of the new subsides. I put this down to mild introversion & family history. I'm also good at self-sabotage so that when I get set for, let's say a week of solo cycle-camping, then I'll sprain an ankle badly enough to have to cancel.

 

I'm happiest though when I feel deeply rooted in myself - usually through some spiritual practise, and when that's not an avoidance of my own 'stuff' or responsibilities-in-the-world.

 

I prefer the idea that I can boost my physical/mental state to where I'm sharper, and where e.g. study becomes a natural choice. But I recognise the possibility that there's more of a psychological explanation.

 

Rich

[C T]

Very perceptive of you... I enjoy a number of things - cycling camping reading, I have a fabulous partner and a teenage son. But passions none once the initial buzz of the new subsides. I put this down to mild introversion & family history. I'm also good at self-sabotage so that when I get set for, let's say a week of solo cycle-camping, then I'll sprain an ankle badly enough to have to cancel.

 

I'm happiest though when I feel deeply rooted in myself - usually through some spiritual practise, and when that's not an avoidance of my own 'stuff' or responsibilities-in-the-world.

 

I prefer the idea that I can boost my physical/mental state to where I'm sharper, and where e.g. study becomes a natural choice. But I recognise the possibility that there's more of a psychological explanation.

 

Rich

Teenage son... well, that makes two of us. Mine got himself a sweetheart recently, so that's a bit of buzz for me. The joys of being reminded starkly what the good old days were like.

 

Its my feeling that we all go through cycles. Somehow, as we age, these cycles seem to revolve faster, and also, become more prominent, in that we tend to notice the down-swings more, and identify with them, whereas in days of youthful zestiness/zealousness and excitement, the tendency would be to remain focussed on the upswing cycle.

 

I went thru a period (episodes) of being in the doldrums a few years ago, where everything seemed to bug me, even very insignificant things. And it was not a pleasant time. Lost appetite, lost sleep, lost friends, you name it. I was without a partner then, so conveniently i became a recluse, and refused to see the bright side of life. The only thing that kept pumping a bit of joy into my veins was my passion for badminton, which were the only times when i made small attempts to get out and about and be among people. And so i kept it going, or rather, it kept me going, and because it was such a passion for me, it sparked me to want to push myself further in terms of setting out to win some competitive events and with that came a sense of elation, which was helpful in the end towards healing. Not that it was the prime factor, but it helped greatly to kick myself out of the rut. It was something i found useful and easy as a means to gain the motivation for dispatching the fogginess, and eventually i succeeded, albeit it was a slow process.

 

Probably this is not exactly how you are feeling right now, but i am simply sharing something almost relative to your current mood.

 

I do wish you well, though, and hope your mojo will return soon enough.

[laughingblade]

Ha! My lad has also found himself a girl - someone he's liked for 3-4 years - so he's showing all the signs. They are both 16 in a couple of months (the age of consent in the UK) so I'll be glad to drop the responsible parent act, and I'm sure they'll be glad to drop the scurrying about. I love it though.

 

I'm not so much in the doldrums - there are breezes, just not enough to run up a spinnaker. I agree that with age I am noticing the downs more than the ups. I'm marrying (first time for us both) in the Autumn so I'd like to be under full sail then.

 

I've ordered some 5-HTP, some DMEA and some manly multi's, so we'll see if a few months of popping pills has an effect. I'll do some further reearch as suggested by Marblehead and see if there are more specific possibilities - particularly for mental function.

 

And meantime I need to get over a 2-month foot injury that is stopping me from being physically active.

 

Thanks

Rich

[Edward M]

Rich,

 

Have you tried mindfulness meditation? it is good for detaching from ups and downs as well balancing out the ups and downs.

 

I'm only 31 but i've felt much the same as you for a long time. I was diagnosed with severe liver and kidney yin deficiency not long ago which is being treated with chinese herbs... i've come along quite far with it now.

 

Recommend Patrick Holfords brain food and mood food also. I get it from as nature intended. But be careful not to pay to much attention to your moods when you take it or anytime, because that just amplifies the moods including downers.

 

Are you in London? if so i can recommend a good chinese doc.

 

Also try some kind of body work such as Intu-flow (free on youtube) or internal martial art like taiji, bagua or xingyi. Again i can recommend teachers.

 

All the best

Ed

[Edward M]

OOps, forgot you already have done taiji and going to do YaMu's material.... good luck with it!!

 

Ed

[Astral_Anima]

So I've lost my bounce, said Tigger. Not unhappy, but too little boinggg...

 

50, a little weary and too often injured. My thought processes are slow... I've done a little Tai Chi & Qigong and am presently starting off Ya Mu's Stillness-Movement.

 

When I'm not injured I'll be doing Ya Mu's Gift of the Tao, perhaps Pilates/Yoga for core and agility.

 

What experience or advice does the panel have for regenerating pep, interest, vitality, in particular mental agility and enthusiasm?

 

Nutrition and supplements perhaps? Brief therapies? Psychotherapy and Taiwanese jungle masters don't really resonate

 

Rich xx

 

Edit for typo

 

I can only speak from my own "young" experience but high fruit diets, or simply high "simple sugar" diets. The brain uses us 70% of your total energy, and it runs almost soley on glucose. Fruit is ideal because you don't have to waste energy converting starches to glucose and it contains fructose which doesn't need insulin as a carrier meaning it gets absorbed and used almost instantly. Most foods spend more energy in digestion then the food itself gives you.

 

Also, again in my personal experience, when I harbor emotions instead of freely expressing/releasing them I grow "heavy". When I do spontaneous qigong via Kunlun I release alot of "stored up" emotions and always feel very "light" and "bouncy" afterwards, like a 9 year old boy again XD

 

Imo supplements are useless and only a temporary dependence unless you address the underlying cause for your dis-ease. If you're low on energy I'd say your adrenals are probably exhausted, you may want to get a good herbal formula or if you're REALLY bad, get a glandular. Also if your circulation is poor you may want to try juicing parsley and/or cillantro to remove some heavy metals and oxygenate your system a bit. Look out for foods in alluminum cans, look out for high fructose corn syrup (contains trace amounts of mercury), and try to eat only whole, natural foods. Lastly if you've ever heard of MMS vis Jim Humble, I would look into that as well, it's supposed to work wonders in increasing cellular oxygen, getting rid of viruses, yeasts, mold fungus, etc and removing heavy metals. I wouldn't recommend chelation.

 

Best of Luck.

-Astral

Edited August 19, 2011 by Astral_Anima

[Otis]

So I've lost my bounce, said Tigger. Not unhappy, but too little boinggg...

 

50, a little weary and too often injured. My thought processes are slow... I've done a little Tai Chi & Qigong and am presently starting off Ya Mu's Stillness-Movement.

 

When I'm not injured I'll be doing Ya Mu's Gift of the Tao, perhaps Pilates/Yoga for core and agility.

 

What experience or advice does the panel have for regenerating pep, interest, vitality, in particular mental agility and enthusiasm?

Hi Rich,

 

I've had a bit of a physical (and spiritual?) renaissance in the last decade, and I can tell you what worked for me.

 

I didn't take any supplements or classes or anything. I just gave myself permission to do things that were fun for me. Dance became a central part of my life, then I got into contact staff, then sword-fighting. I started breakdancing at 35, started doing parkour at 38. I made a series of prank and stunt videos that challenged my social and physical fears, and pushed me into my unknown.

 

At the same time, I also started to really take my body seriously. I learned to love stretching, and made the exploration and discovery of what my body is capable of, into a centerpiece of my life. I learned to slow down and allow movement, rather than make it happen. I spent time like a child, balancing and exploring the limits of my body, with no goal other than to learn and grow. I went hiking barefoot and climbed trees.

 

All of this grew out of a new commitment to living authentically. To forget about who I thought I was, or where I thought I was going, and instead be the eternal student of life. A commitment to letting my body dance itself. To accepting where I'm at, right now. To exploring the uncomfortable, and embracing the scary. To allowing myself to be foolish, and surrendering the need to be right.

 

All of this has dramatically shifted my energy, endurance, flexibility, ease, efficiency, and I believe: my creativity, ability to pay attention, and to understand. Youth has been fading for some time, but I'm learning the ease and efficiency of being myself, and it allows me to live in a more youthful state.

[johndoe2012]

Mild depression can also be related to lack of serotonin produced in the brain.

 

You could try to eat food with a high amount of tryptophan which then will produce serotonin.

 

I'm experimenting with taking whey protein, mainly due to having sleep problems, which serotonin also helps with.

 

Bodywork such as bodyweight exercises and lifting weights also increases serotonin production.

[laughingblade]

Hi Rich,

 

I've had a bit of a physical (and spiritual?) renaissance in the last decade, and I can tell you what worked for me.

 

<snip>

 

I just gave myself permission to do things that were fun for me.

 

<snip>

 

At the same time, I also started to really take my body seriously.

 

<snip>

 

All of this grew out of a new commitment to living authentically. To forget about who I thought I was, or where I thought I was going, and instead be the eternal student of life. A commitment to letting my body dance itself. To accepting where I'm at, right now. To exploring the uncomfortable, and embracing the scary. To allowing myself to be foolish, and surrendering the need to be right.

 

All of this has dramatically shifted my energy, endurance, flexibility, ease, efficiency, and I believe: my creativity, ability to pay attention, and to understand. Youth has been fading for some time, but I'm learning the ease and efficiency of being myself, and it allows me to live in a more youthful state.

 

Otis I've read a number of your posts on the site an really appreciate your viewpoint : and it scares me, so thanks!

 

And thanks to the other posters. I will try 5-HTP and DMEA for the uplift, and get more into body-centred activity - it does make a huge difference when I can do that even though I'm just scratching the surface.

 

I'll also look at chinese medicine for balancing and boosting - I do have a decent acupuncturist here (I'm in Bristol) and there's a highly-recommended Chinese guy not too far away.

 

Thanks too for the suggestions about Patrick Holford and Jim Humble. I admit I have then filed under "quack" right now, but I'll consider coming back to them later.

 

Cheers

Rich

[Zhongyongdaoist]

If you want to explore a TCM approach on your own, get yourself a copy of Between Heaven and Earth by Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korngold. I have been recommending this book since it appeared in the early 90's. It is one of the best, if not the best, introductions to TCM around. It includes a questionnaire that will help you to diagnose yourself and even if you decide to seek professional advice will put you in a better position to communicate effectively with a TCM practitioner.

 

My health was damaged by Western medical treatments that I received in childhood. By the time I was 40 it was starting to fail and had I not taught myself TCM and been lucky enough to live in a city where Chinese patent medicines were readily available, more than likely I would have been dead or severely disabled by 50 and almost certainly dead by now.

 

At 60 I am, by many measures, in very good health. For example, from about 20 to 50 years of age I had about four cold/flu episodes a year. In the past 11 years I have had three cold/flu episodes, the last being in October of 2006. Also, for those concerned about such matters, who may wonder whether there is a 'tigger in my tank', no I don't need Viagra or any Western medicines like it.

 

I didn't make any other changes to diet, nor have I regularly done qigong, or other such activities and most of the "diet is the only way to health" people would not consider my diet at all healthy, but then I don't consider theirs healthy either. I have, however, noticed changes in appetite that has correlated with improvements in health. In the early 90's I was a chocoholic who had been experiencing acid reflux symptoms for several years, long before it became the "in thing" to complain about. I now seldom eat chocolate, but when I do I can do so with appreciation and moderation. This compares favorably to having a panic attack in the mid 90's while coming home from work, when I realized that I didn't have any chocolate at home. I had to go the the store to buy some. My acid reflux symptoms were controlled by Chinese patent medicines and eventually I was able to stop taking them with no recurrence of symptoms for many years. However, because the fundamental damage to my system was done to Liver/Gallbladder function and Spleen/Stomach function, there have been some temporary appearances of the symptoms which have again responded well to Chinese patent medicines and subsided quickly and with no reappearance for years, for example in late 2001/early 2002, but clear until late 2010 and gone since the beginning of 2011.

 

Based on my experience with TCM and Chinese patent medicines, and my considered interpretation of it, as far as I am concerned, any and all improvements in my health have to be attributed to the judicious use of Chinese patent medicines. This is my purely personal testimonial and is not intended as medical advice, other peoples experience may differ.

 

Good luck with getting your Mojo back, however you decide to do it, though you may be out of luck if Dr. Evil stole it.

[Edward M]

Rich,

 

Patrick holfords moodfood contains 5htp and his brain food contains dmae..

 

Peace

Ed

[Harmonious Emptiness]

a lot of the time chronic fatigue has to do with an underactive thyroid. I took kelp capsules for a while and it helped a great deal. Of course, it's not good to mess with the thyroid without proper supervision since an overactive thyroid is dangerously difficult to treat.

 

I would check with a good certified Dr. of Naturopathy since they know a lot about nutrition and so forth.

 

As for kelp capsules, if you're obviously not showing signs of hyperthyroidism (nervous agitation type personality) then taking it 3 or four times a week couldn't hurt. Some kids in the maritimes chew seaweed like kids in the US chew gum.

 

Either way, I'm not a doctor, but I find naturopaths to be a bit more of a sure thing than TCM, though TCM can sometimes cure the "uncurable."

[Audiohealing]

Well, you can spend a ton of money on useless herbs and supplements or you can go on testosterone replacement therapy along with supplemental human growth hormone because heck, you're 50. You're halfway there- might as well live that last half of your life feeling like a 20 year old.

 

Before I get bashed on by the "OMG STEROIDZ = CANCER" crowd, testosterone replacement therapy is proven to be a side-effect free treatment that will restore youth, vigor, libido and energy as well as a host of other goodies like actually *decreasing* risk of cancer.

 

Go and get your levels checked first though. No point in starting TRT if your levels are already high, but I'd say there's a 90% chance that you're below the norm given your age and symptoms.

[Harmonious Emptiness]

Well, you can spend a ton of money on useless herbs and supplements or you can go on testosterone replacement therapy along with supplemental human growth hormone because heck, you're 50. You're halfway there- might as well live that last half of your life feeling like a 20 year old.

 

Before I get bashed on by the "OMG STEROIDZ = CANCER" crowd, testosterone replacement therapy is proven to be a side-effect free treatment that will restore youth, vigor, libido and energy as well as a host of other goodies like actually *decreasing* risk of cancer.

 

Go and get your levels checked first though. No point in starting TRT if your levels are already high, but I'd say there's a 90% chance that you're below the norm given your age and symptoms.

 

Sarsparilla tea is a good alternative to this. google it for more info about its effects and similarities to testosterone, as well as cautions etc..

[laughingblade]

THT gave me the ZOMG LOLZ!11! rather than the OMGs, tho' tbh I've never looked into the idea of male menopause as yet. I wouldn't rule it out though and may go to the doc for tests.

 

Ah, I'm certainly not experiencing chronic fatigue: if I'm not injured I'll cycle 40minutes a day as part of my commute and some other physical jerks - standing qigong and pushups & situps maybe every few days - and I have enough physical energy for that.

 

No, the main issue for me is mental energy and sharpness. Discussing this with my beloved just now and she's reminding me of things I plan to do but don't - like a 3-4 day solo bike ride I sabotaged not so long a go - so "frustrated will" in her opinion is a key point. I've had a number of years where I (felt) I didn't have the option, but now I do and I want to kick-start a more positive dynamic outlook and behaviours...

 

So thanks again for the input - I think supplements for now, along with qigong and more physical activity as my foot injury improves. Then more adventure, more inhabiting and listening to my body (thanks Oits), and more of doing what suits me!

 

Rich

[Harmonious Emptiness]

Do note that mental alertness is greatly affected by kelp, actually that's more the reason that I was taking it as well..