U.S. Select House Committee on January 6th Hearing -- Tues., July 12
UPDATE: Hearing time had been changed to 1 pm ET (10 am PT)
Tuesday, July 12, starting at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT
(That's Emmy nominations morning in Hollywood.)
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Shirley Horn -- "Here's To Life" John Williams and The Boston Pops 1993
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ROUTINEOLOGY
Has my daily life become too filled with routine is a question I asked myself recently? I realize I've been spending more time in my home than in years past partially due to aging's slowing but also as a consequence of efforts to minimize Coronavirus exposure. Maybe this perpetual sameness so many days after days I feel is beginning to be too repetitive.
Unfortunately, the number of known individuals contracting the latest Covid-19 variants BA 4 and most dominant now BA 5, is increasing exponentially daily. The actual official infection numbers are less accurate now due to so many home tests in use with the result not being as easily tracked for reporting by health authorities. Here in SoCal's Los Angeles County, we're being told to possibly expect reinstatement of mandatory mask wearing by month's end if infection rates continue to increase.
These virus variants, especially BA 5 are much more able to avoid some of the protections our vaccinations with boosters have provided. Much of our U.S. population seems to behave as though this pandemic is over. Saying or believing so does not make it so. Covid 19 coronavirus goes about infecting at will, evolving new more virulent variants, not caring what humans may think.
At least, so far, vaccinations and booster shots have seemed to prevent development of more serious illness and deaths for most who become infected. Still our older population, especially those with various medical conditions are at risk. I keep wearing my N95 masks when encountering others. Perhaps I'm being unnecessarily cautious.
So, it seems my daily routine may continue to be somewhat limited if I want to minimize risk exposure to contracting Covid 19. To break my routine in what is beginning to feel like a monotony of sameness I've thought I need to introduce new and more activity variation into my life.
Coincidentally, I recently encountered a Business Insider article about routine which introduced a new term to me: "Routineology": https://www.insider.com/people-who-live-to-100-have-habits-in-common-routineology-2021-6
A review I read of the book The Art of Routine said in a Bookshop.org review:
"Conventional wisdom suggests that the best way to navigate our noisy new world is to accept change. Open up to novelty. Go with the flow. Live in the moment. Embrace the relentless pelting of content minute by minute. But routine experts Angel Iscovich, MD, Joe Garner, and Michael Ashley are here to say that's a bad idea. Humans don't just benefit from structure; they require it."
I have a certain amount of routine as I've always had during most of my life but too much of the same pattern day after day can lead to a rather boring existence absent excitement.
Some researchers emphasize commonly held healthy habits of those living long lives due to eating mostly "plant foods", also "...maintaining strong relationships, and moving regularly". Isovich makes his point by focusing on unhealthy habits of some 100 years and older.
This Insider article reinforces what many scientific studies have shown that routines are important in our lives including throughout our aging years. Intriguingly, however, this article indicates that healthy eating may not be a necessary feature for all who live a long life.
People 100 or older are only a fraction of a percent of the population.
A few examples cited include centenarians who swear by the significance of their daily intake of potentially unhealthy items such as whiskey or in quantities of ice cream or bacon.
For many years or decades, Elizabeth Sullivan, a retired math teacher in Texas drank three cans of Dr. Pepper daily she reported on her 106th birthday:
"People try to give me coffee for breakfast. Well, I'd rather have a Dr. Pepper," she said in a 2015 interview with a local TV station. "Every doctor that sees me says they'll kill you," she continued. "But they die and I don't, so there must be a mistake somewhere."
Then there's Agnes Fenton, "... New Jersey's oldest living resident until she died at age 112 in 2017. Her secret? Three Miller High Lifes every day and a shot of Johnnie Walker Blue daily, her obituary says."
"Her habit began after her doctor prescribed her alcohol in 1943 to treat a benign tumor. She maintained it until a few years before her death."
Dr. Iscovich argues that structure is what matters, not so much that it must be healthy. His conclusion is: "People who live past age 100 often have 1 trait in common: a penchant for routine, even unhealthy ones."
Novel and spontaneous experiences are acknowledged as important for happiness and fulfillment, but "...humans are wired to live rhythmically" as begins in the womb. This routine extends throughout life into "...the field of chronobiology, or the 24-cycle that affects your sleep, focus, and sociability."
Coordinating these cycles is " ...the key to finding purpose, meaning, joy --- and longevity," Ischovich and his co-author Michael Ashey state, "pursuing those activities that reduce fear of the unknown and mitigate stress [that] can lead to a more controlled environment, offering stability and aiding in longevity." They also write: "Coupled with the importance of consistent activities is the need for purpose."
Humans will persist in seeking to learn what extends human life though there seems to be no one simple answer. Meanwhile, we'll each make judgements based on the latest scientific findings about what we think we need and adopt those practices.
I don't think specifically in terms of wanting to live a century or longer. I do think in terms of wanting to be as healthy as possible with my mind intact for whatever the number of my years. Quality of life is what matters to me.
That said, perhaps I'm wise to reassess my daily routines to experience the best of life. What about you?
I have mobility problems due to ageing prostheses and COPD. This added to the two years of staying at home due to Covid restrictions have made me like the comforts of my home so much that I resent having to go out whenever the occasion arises. Friends and family have understood this and are by and large considerate.
ReplyDeleteExpect you've developed some routines based on mostly being at home. I can appreciate your preference for staying at home when going out can present challenges that become less than pleasant which I, too, have experienced sometimes.
DeleteJust found out that Covid has hit my campus again.
ReplyDeleteI like routine. I always have. Go with the flood is fun for a day but I can't live that way. I need the structure of knowing ahead of time what I'll be doing.
Certainly much to be said for knowing ahead of time what we'l be doing.
DeleteCovid is back on my campus. No lock down yet.
ReplyDeleteI like routine. I always have. Going with the flow is fun a day but I can't live like that.
Thanks for the heads up on the next hearing.
Sorry to hear Covid back on your campus. I'm inclined to think we may prefer knowing ahead of time what we'll be doing especially when we're older.
DeleteMy grandmother died shortly before her 103rd birthday. About a week prior to that day, she went to bed and refused to get up again, told whoever came or called that it was time. All her life, she had strict routines mostly dictated by her garden and her small orchard, which involved much preserving and bottling, market day, laundry, cleaning, cemetery visits etc. She wrote three letters every Sunday, mostly to family members but also to politicians and the odd complaint to members of the church. She never knew how to drive and regardless of the weather, cycled and walked to her appointments in her home town - where she was well known. She read the local paper and a wide range of what we call the rainbow press, and so knew literally everything about the live events of various royalty and the rich and famous, none of which she approved. She also would learn to recite one poem by heart every week.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have her stamina and dedication (apart from the rainbow press).
She led quite a structured life it sounds like and -- lived to be 103, confirming the point of the book. Seems as though she even had a sense that enabled her to structure her final days. Rainbow press is a new terminology I've not heard used before as you describe the reference.
DeleteI am impacted physically at the moment in more ways than I can count so my mobility is compromised but I do have a routine of the intellect which involves 9 games of Scrabble played on line daily for something like 15 years now with the same people on line around the world. I try to write though I can no longer hold workshops or give talks. Blog reading I enjoy and my beloved books. I've had to let go of other pleasures. For now.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Establishing a routine within whatever limitations we may experience is key for many such as you do whatever one's situation. Like your descriptive "routine of the intellect" which explains some of what I do, too.
DeleteIMHO, excitement is overrated. I decided that when barely 18 and abducted at gunpoint. Of course, I went on to lead a relatively exciting life. Now I am content to observe routine.
ReplyDeleteThere are different types of excitement and probably some as you describe that none of us would want.
DeleteI became a creature of Routine mostly due to being a teacher for 30+ years. Routine is built in to that job, and to survive it, I developed many routines to keep up with the paperwork and administrative junk. Plus, students thrive on structure and routine.
ReplyDeleteNow, I find my home routine in retirement to be pleasant and satisfying. I have lots of unspoken-for time, and if something comes up, I do it or go there. The lack of structure is liberating after all those years of living in 40-minute increments.
Reduced structure when I retired is what I've appreciated, too. There can be much to be said for having "lots of unspoken-for time". I sometimes wonder as the years have gone by if I may be allowing myself too much of that time and might better inject some structure into some of it.
DeleteI had to laugh at Elizabeth Sullivan's comment about her doctor. So true. Something is going to kill you, we just don't know what. I believe in being happy, whatever it takes to be so.
ReplyDeleteHappiness is certainly desirable and likely is had with a variety of structured and unstructured time in some proportions.
DeleteHum, guess I need to work on my routine. I don't really want to live to a hundred, just be able to care for myself and not be in a heap of pain.
ReplyDeleteI remember being shocked when I learned Betty White--who almost made the century mark- lived on hot dogs. So much for veganism and kale.
Today my animals force a bit to routine on me with their hunger and bowel habits. Think I could improve on that a bit and may give it a shot.
Pets would impose some routine. I had forgotten about Betty White's hot dog preferences which seems to have nourished her pretty well given how active she was almost until her death. There would have been a certain amount of routine necessary for her continued successful performances plus they may each have stimulated a certain amount of excitement.
DeleteYou're wise to keep taking precautions against catching covid. I'm just getting through a nasty dose of it, having never had covid before and having been vaccinated four times. Covid is still active, even if some people believe it's a thing of the past.
ReplyDeleteNo idea if routine helps you to live longer. Maybe it helps by taking some of the stress out of your life and making your body more resilient. I have plenty of routines myself, but somehow I doubt if I'll live to 100.
Glad you got through the virus but sorry you contracted it. None of us know how many years we'll have but according to this Doctor's findings a few unhealthy habits apparently won't keep us from living to over 100.
DeleteI am 89 years old and can relate to all you wrote about. I often wonder why I am still here while watching all my "old time" friends passing away. I literally have noone in that category left. The one constant in my life is a 15 minute exercise that I have been doing for more than 30 years ! Also I try every night to think of something of interest to do the next day instead of watching TV. It doesn't always work but all in all it has kept me from simply down and not getting up ... like 2 of my sisters did.
ReplyDeleteI certainly can identify with no longer having any "old time" friends due to their passing away -- one of the last recently. I, too, have an approximately 15 minute exercise but only started it about ten years or so ago. I do view more TV than I ever did before but listen to a lot of music shows on 4 different PBS stations that play in the background as I do other things. I'm mentally engaged in a lot of different stimulating to me varying interests. Writing has become an even more enjoyable experience but no friends left with whom to correspond so this blog is a welcome outlet.
DeleteWhen I was still working, I definitely had routines during my non-working hours so that I could get done what I needed to get done in the little free time I had in the mornings. Those morning routines included walking and a yoga practice and, beginning in 2006, reading blogs and then starting my own blog. As I worked fewer and fewer hours, I had more unscheduled free time. By the time I retired I, like you, had developed many interests to fill my days. I still have my morning routines but they are flexible. There were times in my life when I had rigid routines. Rigid routines were stressful for me. Studying Spanish on Duolingo is a wonderful part of my daily routine now. I've just started reading one page from Tuesdays With Morrie in Spanish as part of my Spanish study routine. I'm reminded, too, how exhilarating it was to take a trip and let go of my routines for a little while. For the most part, my traveling days are over and that's okay.
ReplyDeleteOh, I remember, too, how liberating vacation trips were in those years after I married, had children, began post-grad studies then grad classes, worked. A wonderful break from the routine with a trip to a different regimen for a couple weeks a year. Perhaps that's what is needed, whatever our routine wherever we are, is to periodically change to a different regimen, even if we don't take a trip. Still, an actual change in the environment does offer unique benefits.
DeleteI like these ideas about routine, glad to hear someone is pointing out the upsides of routine. I’m thinking a healthy balance between routine and acceptance of change is a Good Thing. Some of the worst off people in this world are living in chaos and change, I’m thinking of refugees and homeless people.
ReplyDeleteYes, others have had their lives turned upside down when it comes to routine.
DeleteGoogle wants to call me Anonymous but it is ElizabethAnn here. Change is the name of the game when we are young, we associate it with Adventure. It takes a while to appreciate routine, mostly it gets thrust on us by work and family life. But at a certain point we begin to appreciate its comfort and a certain savouring of life that comes along with it. Perhaps it is that savouring that contributes to longevity.
ReplyDeleteThere is much to be said for routine as you note in your observation about our "savouring of life ... that contributes to longevity."
DeleteThanks for adding your name. Whatever changes Google is making they' are not very supportive of blogging since making so many blog as Anon now with no link to their blog. You are on my blogroll for an immediate link but for any curious readers here's the URL to your interesting blog: https://elizabethannsaid.blogspot.com/
I am trying to adjust to old age and its limitations. For some TV gives them change but I don't watch it. I do use the computer but have to limit my time on it to avoid feeling stressed. I wonder if it's the energy waves from these devices. I don't know but definitely do not get out nearly as much as I once did. It's me, the cats and my husband. I miss having more activities with friends but we made our time in Tucson more permanent about when the virus hit. It's still with us and I am cautious. When my husband buys groceries, he wears a mask and says mostly it's the oldsters who also do...
ReplyDeleteAging adjustments can be challenging and complicated in recent years by this virus. I still wear my N95s though I don't go to stores -- just drive thrus, also for pickups, and if anyone delivers to the house. Along with other things in-home, I do view some TV but have four different PBS stations, thrive on world news and often lots of music that can play in the background when I'm doing other things. Living alone I've come to appreciate the sound of voices sometimes though I do value silence which was mostly absent in my home, largely sports, until I became a widow. I do miss phone conversations with those scattered about the country who are no longer on earth. I've had to adjust for some years to local friends gone with less opportunity to meet new people.
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