
Happy New Year from the Healthy Silver Foxes! We hope 2022 is looking up for everyone.
To kick start this new year we wanted to add a new area to our website under the learning hub, which we hope you find helpful.
You have probably been inundated with new year resolution questions, in particular resolutions around food and health choices for the new year. New year = new body…perhaps. We can obsess over what we feed our bodies while neglecting how we feed our minds. Brain fodder is just as important to the beginning of a good year as a healthy balanced plate.
What have you been feeding yourself lately?
Recently, I have been inspired by inspiring people making a difference. Inspiration is contagious. It heightens your feel-good factor as well as expanding your mind to the world around you. Feed can be positive or negative. It can eat you up or open you up. This new year I have started a diet of podcasts. Podcasts have quickly become part of my daily routine for exercising mind and body, and what a revelation this has been! While out walking, gardening or commuting, listening to manageable chunks of wise advice and experience from inspiration bringers has changed my motivation, health and positivity.
So, what is a podcast?
Podcast = iPod + Broadcast (Pod is a content system software standing for Portable Open Database)
A podcast is a series of digital audio files (think modern radio show) that can be downloaded to a personal device for easy listening. They offer a way of telling stories to the listener which can be educational or entertaining. They can be the perfect duration to accompany any type of activity. As podcasts are not visual, they are able to capture the listeners imagination and increase mindful growth. The audio files are held on a server as a web feed that you can access through the internet. The files can be stored locally on the user’s device or streamed directly. Podcasts can be produced at little to no cost and therefore are usually free of charge.
How do I access a podcast?
A lot of podcasts are app based so if you have an Apple device such as an iPhone or an iPad, you already have a built-in podcast listening app. The app icon is purple and simply says, “Podcasts.” Or you can download an app like BBC Sounds which holds a wide array of interesting speakers and subjects.
If you have an Android phone, you most likely already have an app that can be used to listen to a podcast such as, Spotify, Pandora or Tunein. Newer devices might even have Google Podcasts, another built-in app. If you don’t have any of these apps, turn to the app store on your device and download an app (usually free), like BBC Sounds.
What podcasts are out there?
There are podcasts for nearly every genre and interest, ranging from top rated by others, business, science, education, faith, history, arts, comedy and much more. The best podcasts out there are the ones that let you engage no matter what’s going on around you. Podcasts are manageable in length of time and educate you on subject matters close to your heart or ones that you have always wanted to go deeper on. The most important thing to remember is not to become overwhelmed with the amount of choice and select one at a time.
When is the best time to listen?
Anytime that suits you. Podcasts are perfect for people on the run, commuting, exercising, gardening, doing chores, walking the dog but they are also great as an alarm wake up call, during your early morning ablutions or mindful quiet time at night. The flexibility is yours, but when you get into a particular podcast you enjoy, you will find it a great motivator to do more, just so you can listen more. More steps on your regular walk, less sitting time, more engaged time. Healthy heart + healthy mind.
How can it improve your life?
The field of podcasts is led by thought leaders of this time. Thought leaders influence and lead others in their field. Thought leaders have always been around (think gurus), although now we are able to access their wisdom, experience and specialised subject knowledge at the touch of a button. This is the positive effect of the internet and its accessibility. Being educated by thought leaders can only positively impact our life and our learning. Podcasts are an attractive and free of charge way to educate ourselves as well as offering the ability to share personal stories on an endless amount of subjects, enabling us to share and relate better to others. We are living through difficult times, so it’s important we keep our bodies, spirits and minds positively engaged and podcasts can help us do that.
Summary
What could be better than having a new vision for 2022? Let’s cast out our nets and catch onto a podcast and see what we learn. We can start there. Head over to our learning hub to find some of our favourite recommendations. Keep checking in as we will update our favourites regularly.
Brett’s view
I used to listen to my Walkman/iPod back when the headphones were headphones and connected by a wire. When my last iPod died, I basically stopped listening to anything either when I was running or commuting. But with this information and my new ear pods from Santa, that's all about to change, maybe I'll learn something.
David’s view
I have really enjoyed listening to pod casts, I started off with Ted talks and then found a whole world of interesting subjects at my finger tips. I now look for an opportunity when I doing a job or walking the dog to listen to something interesting or motivating.
It would be great to hear which of the podcasts you guys like. I find Legendary Life by Ted Rice and The Model Health Show insightful.
The are both a bit OTT and salesy but some useful points clearly articulated.