- Heidi Blackie
What does Freedom Mean to You?
I was reflecting on themes of independence and freedom this fourth of July and thought about the many contexts within which we experience freedom, or, conversely, feel our freedom is limited. What does freedom mean to you? What are ways you feel freedom? What things limit your freedom?
Think about your relationship to freedom in the areas below.
FREEDOM OF MINDSET
Having a free mindset can look different for everyone—flexibility, creativity, openness, ease, growing from challenges, and showing up for others and ourselves with authenticity.
Sometimes it can feel like we are enslaved to old thought patterns that limit our capacity and resilience, but research shows us that we can change the structure and function of our brain at any age. In fact, our brains are always adjusting to stimuli (both external and internal)—reinforcing old patterns and/or developing new ones.
What patterns serve your freedom, growth and well-being, and which ones limit you?
Reinforcing healthy patterns makes them stronger.
Noticing and changing patterns that don't serve you can help you access more resilience and create profound changes in your brain that support health and well-being.
FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
Often we don’t think a lot about movement until it becomes limited in some way—as we age, sustain an injury or experience discomfort, or don't prioritize the time to move. I had countless patients tell me how much they took movement and the use of the injured part for granted prior to their injuries.
We are beings meant to move. It impacts every aspect of our life. Not only does it keep our physical body healthy, it supports our mental and emotional health too. It helps us be more resilient with our response to stress, it helps us improve our focus and attention when trying to solve a problem, and moves our energy to help us feel “unstuck” in difficult situations.
Taking small opportunities to move throughout the day can make a big difference in how you feel, especially if you have a sedentary job.
FREEDOM OF INDEPENDENCE
To me, independence means being an active participant in your life—to embrace life and what is important to you—to explore, to connect, to have choices, to grow.
If you are an aging adult, independence grants you the freedom to choose—where you live, what you do, where you go, who you are with—all things important for thriving.
Staying active with movement, community involvement and challenging your brain, combined with fall risk reduction measures in your house can promote healthy aging in place.
At Ergology, freedom takes many forms and is one of the central themes of our mission. Reach out to learn how we can help you access more freedom.