The Thief of Time

2024 is around the corner, and while some of us are already contemplating our New Year’s Resolutions and goals for the upcoming year, most are just trying to make it through the holiday season. Procrastination is a term I am sure we are all familiar with. We unnecessarily postpone decisions or actions only to pay for it at a future time.

We find reasons (excuses) to justify our decisions. An article from Headspace states “Psychologists place excuse-making in the “self-handicapping” category — that is, it’s a behavior we express that hurts our own performance and motivation. It serves as a distraction of sorts that prevents us from achieving the task, but it stems from a deeper, unconscious desire to protect ourselves (our Ego, if you asked Freud) against anxiety and shame. And the more anxious or ashamed we are likely to feel, the more likely we are to build barriers that impede our chances of attaining a goal.”

This defense mechanism is a way of disguising our insecurities. We all procrastinate in some form or fashion. I am absolutely guilty of this. I once bought a book on how to stop procrastination and never read it, and just yesterday, I told a family member that I will begin a more regimented diet on December 1st.

Productivity is not the only thing that suffers from procrastination. There are physical and mental health issues that can arise also. Stress levels can increase and poor lifestyle choices can compound. Detrimental decisions we make regarding nutrition and self-care can be attributed to procrastination. The “Diet starts tomorrow” mentality and scrolling mindlessly through social media are negative habits are just two examples of this behavior. I am guilty of both. Studies show that 20% of adults suffer from chronic procrastination, while it is common among an astounding 50% of college students.

One aspect of procrastination that is often not mentioned is delaying taking a break. We all need our space. We need to make time for ourselves. Not doing so can lead to burn-out, depression, and other illnesses.

As someone who has received the Gift of Life by way of a Kidney Transplant, I have to be mindful that I have to not only enjoy being alive, but be sure to live it. Living life does not only mean being in the moment and appreciating what I have, it also means making decisions that I will thank myself for tomorrow…if I am indeed lucky enough to see tomorrow. Procrastination puts me back in the unhealthy mindset of taking things for granted. I speak to, or read stories about others who have received life saving transplants, survived cancer, or are fighting chronic illnesses almost daily. They are not only inspiring, but a reminder that we only have one life, and that one life is precious. Overthinking or playing catch up on things that should have been done is a waste. A waste of our energy, resources, and most importantly, our time. After all, we all only have a finite amount of time in this life of ours, and as Edward Young put it, “Procrastination is the thief of time.”

Giving Tuesday

Today is the annual celebration of Giving Tuesday 2023. It is a global movement that began in 2012 and inspires people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Whether you help a neighbor, a stranger, or give to a charitable organization, each act is meaningful and contributes to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Whatever you can do, no matter how inconsequential you may think your action is, do something today to help someone else. I firmly believe there is a cause we all have a connection to. If you are looking to donate, here are organizations I am involved with and encourage you to contribute to:

• American Association of Kidney Patients — aakp.org

• American Kidney Fund — kidneyfund.org 

• LOPA (Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency) — lopa.org 

• National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana — kidneyla.org 

• UNOS — unos.org 

A Healthy Bite

Blueberries

Rich in nutrients and antioxidants, blueberries are a “superfood” that have been shown to possess multiple health benefits. Here are some of the benefits from an article in Healthline:

• High in antioxidants - Antioxidants protect us from free radicals which can damage our cells.

• Reduce DNA damage - This may help protect against aging and cancer.

• Protect cholesterol in your blood from becoming damaged - Antioxidants in blueberries are strongly linked to reduced levels of oxidated LDL.

• May lower blood pressure - Regular intake is tied to lower blood pressure in numerous studies.

• May help prevent heart disease - There is some evidence that shows eating blueberries is associated with a reduced risk of heart attacks.

• Can help maintain brain function and improve memory - Oxidative stress can accelerate your brain’s aging process, which blueberries can help counteract.

For the full article on blueberries and thier benefits from Healthline, go to https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-blueberries 

Mental Health Moment

There can be many challenges while navigating through the holiday season. One of the biggest can be dealing with grief. An article in Psychology Today reveals that at least 35% of individuals do not look forward to the holidays due to the loss of a loved one. As Diana Raab, Ph.D writes, “Grief is complicated and often unpredictable. It comes in waves and sometimes, like the ocean, it’s calm and chill. Other times, it’s turbulent and violent. We could be in the middle of a holiday party or enjoying the company of friends one on one when suddenly we break out into tears. Sometimes there might be triggers, such as conversations, photographs, or being in places that you were with your loved one, that cause the release of this emotion, while other times it could be a spontaneous eruption. Some of our feelings can be positive or negative ones.”

This should be a reminder to all of us, not just through the holiday season, but always, to keep in mind that we do not know what another person is going through. We are all human. We all need to practice kindness towards others.

Please remember, I am not a medical professional, nor is any of this medical advice. I am just out here living A Kidney Life.