Can You Worry Yourself Into Dementia

Stop worrying Please

I was having a conversation with my husband this afternoon. We were talking about my run. Today I ran for an hour and a half. While trying to tell him the route I ran, naming the streets and the church I said, “That’s when I saw you and you asked me if I was ok.” He said, that wasn’t today I saw you; it was yesterday. It was my firm belief it was today. He explains how it couldn’t have been today and his reasoning why. Slowly it dawned on me that yes indeed it was yesterday, not today. Gary said, I’m starting to worry about you. I said, you probably should be. 

Let's All Google

‍

Let me explain, my mother passed away from dementia and three of her sisters have also passed away from dementia. It isn’t very good odds for me nor my siblings. I am forever researching dementia and how to not get it. But is it hereditary? I’ve just googled it, and it says that the majority of dementia is not inherited by children and grandchildren. This makes me feel somewhat better but it most likely will not stop me from worrying about it.

I Do Not Do Stress

Having a definitive A type personality means I am an orderly person who does not deal with stress well. My thinking is everything has a place, and everything should be in that place. If it isn’t it doesn't bode well for me. Just ask my husband. I’m constantly cleaning, doing laundry, mowing the lawn. It doesn’t matter what it is, I have a hard time sitting and simply doing nothing. Staying busy is a priority. Otherwise, boredom sets in. 

Oh My Gosh

Ok, I should have stopped googling because now I’ve just read if a parent had dementia there is a higher risk of me getting it by association. Lord, please help me. I’ve told my husband numerous times if it gets bad to take me behind the barn and shoot me because I do NOT want to live like that. All kidding aside, (we don’t have a barn) the truth of the matter is it scares the crap out of me. Me forgetting things already scares me, and the more I google the worse it gets. Gary tells me to stop googling. It is certainly a good idea.  But will I? No, I’m sure I won’t. 

Stay Social

They say we all need to stay social. That is a part of the reason going back to work is a good idea. Perhaps something in retail as dealing with customers is a high priority. The back-and-forth banter with customers is one thing I do miss about my last job in retail. Coming from law enforcement I didn’t know if I’d like it or not. But turns out I loved it. The customer is always right. Pleasing them and making sure they had a good experience while they were shopping is something I enjoyed doing. 

Make A List

Stress and a good night's sleep are two things on a list of 8 ways to ward off dementia. Exercise is one of them, running every day gives me more than enough exercise.  Not smoking is an easy one because I don’t. Do not take opioids is another, I’m also good with that. Don’t drink, I’m also good with this one because I am always alcohol free. Eating a plant-based diet is another way. While I do not eat a plant-based diet, I do eat plenty of veggies. Exercising the mind is the last way to ward off dementia. Every morning I do Wordle. I am a voracious reader and am a constant at the library here in town. So, you see, stress and getting a good night’s sleep are two things I need to work on. Stress and worrying go hand in hand. For me they do anyway. 

‍

Maybe I’ll hide and dementia won’t find me. 

‍

Wish me luck!

‍