Advertise on podcast: The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Have you laughed today? I hope so, because we are born to laugh. Laughter is one of the most natural things we do, but, have you ever stopped and thought about the power laughter  has? From  the belly laugh that heals, to the nervous laugh that releases, then the polite laugh that smooths, then to the  cruel laugh the wounds. Laughter has many faces. It can strengthen relationships, ease stress, and bring people closer. But, it can also be used to belittle, embarrass and wound. In this episode we are going to explore that many sides of laughter, why shared laughter matters in our relationships, and how something that sounds so innocent can sometimes become a weapon. Laughter can bring us together, or push us apart. So, is laughter medicine or a weapon? Sometimes it depends on who's laughing- and who is on the receiving end. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529- text Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Send us Fan Mail Jack of all trades, Master of None This is someone who is capable, handy & knows a little about a lot of things, but hasn’t  really mastered any of them. It’s a criticism of someone who spreads their attention across too many different skills, and overtime it became somewhat of a warning: Don’t try to do everything, because you might never become good at anything. Now…Is it a warning, or is it a trap? Are you spending too much time trying to improve your weaknesses while neglecting your strengths? We have been taught to work on what we are not good at, but what if we are approaching personal growth backwards? I today's conversation, we will explore why it's time to start looking at yourself like a business:  *identify your assets *invest in your strengths  and, put your time and energy where they have the  greatest  potential to grow. You don't have to be good at everything. The goal is to recognize what you do well and develop it into something exceptional. It's time to stop trying to master everything and start mastering what matters most. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask Podcast- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk? In this episode, I will share the meaning behind this familiar saying, how it differs from "Actions Speak Louder Than Words" and " Practice What you Preach", and why  our words and actions need to align. From public figures and the influence they carry to the everyday relationships in our own lives, I will share the importance of integrity, keeping your word, and earning the trust of others.. Because its not just about what you say you believe, its about how you choose to live it. So, are you talking the talk, walking the walk, or both? Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949) 236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Send us Fan Mail Tattoos are everywhere, but what do we really know about the person wearing one? Today, I will share the history of the tattoo, why people still get them even when they are judged, and why we still make assumptions about someone based on what we see on their skin. We will talk about tattooing, judgment, the possibility of compulsive behavior, what tattoos can do to your body, and why some people  eventually regret getting them. The Social perception of tattoos has evolved alot, yet they still remain a deeply polarizing choice- that often triggers immediate judgment and societal bias.  While  a lot of people view tattoos as a powerful form of self-expression, there are others who continue to associate tattoos with historical stereotypes of deviant behavior, criminality, or unprofessionalism.  The tattoo  is real, but the story we create about the person wearing it may not be true. Enjoy! Joanne  Demers The Aging Mask- A lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Send us Fan Mail Question of the day… Can where and how you live affect how you experience your life?? In this episode, I will share  a look at Feng Shui, and the idea that our surroundings may influence the way we feel, think, age, and move through everyday life. We will start with something I found really fascinating: Why Feng Shui  views a home  located directly at the end of a cut-de-sac differently, and what you can do if you already live in one. Then we will look at something much closer to home: Clutter, broken things, the things we don't like, and the things we choose to bring into our space... Because a house is a structure.... And a home is an experience. Feng shui says a space holds the energy of whoever lives in it.. and it isn’t just about the house itself… it’s about the relationship between YOU and the space you live in… That’s why feng shui isn’t really about decorating…it’s about  turning a house into a home on purpose. And creating a home that feels good isn't just about how it looks... it's about the way it makes you feel. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A LifeStyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Send us Fan Mail Distraction is everywhere, and sometimes, the biggest distraction isn't coming from the outside world. Sometimes, it's coming from within you. In today's episode, I want to talk about DISTRACTION. Have you ever had something you really wanted to do, something you wanted to accomplish, change, learn, create, or maybe even become, and yet, you just keep putting it off ? You weren’t necessarily afraid.. or incapable … and you weren’t even lacking the desire to motivate. You were “just distracted”.   And this got me thinking… I do believe whole heartedly that… “Distraction does  kill more dreams than Fear” I will talk about distraction, how it can become a habit, and why it may be doing more than just wasting our time. I will breakdown the 4 D's of personal success: Dreams. Discipline Determination And Dedication. And the one word that silently kills all 4 of them before they ever get a chance to grow..  Distraction. Not fear. Not Failure. Distraction. From External Distractions like your phone, screens, and social interactions, to Internal Distractions like stress, worry, fatigue, and simply wanting to do something easier. I think the best question you can ask yourself is.. What is getting my attention right now? That question.. asked honestly and asked often, is the closest thing there is to a cure, not because it stops distraction from showing up, it will show up anyway. But, because it stops distraction from showing up unnoticed. And unnoticed is the only way it ever actually wins. I would like to add that, your attention is limited,  and wherever your attention goes, your time follows. So maybe for you, the first step isn’t trying to become a perfectly focused person,  maybe it’s just noticing when your attention wanders….. What am I doing right now? IS this where I want my attention to be? Because you have a dream.. *you can have discipline *you can have determination * you can be dedicated BUT, if you are continually giving your attention away… it becomes almost impossible to move forward. ”What is getting my attention”? That question is the only defense we have against the thing that’s been silently killing all four..  Distraction. The hardest truth in this whole episode is this…”nothing is easier, or more immediately fun than distraction”. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)-236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Send us Fan Mail …A winning smile gives a positive first impression… “What  really makes a winning smile”? We usually think about straight, white teeth, but  in order to have a  ‘”winning smile” it starts with having a healthy mouth. Taking care of your mouth everyday…by brushing & flossing. In today's conversation, we are talking about your mouth as an ecosystem, why brushing and flossing matter, the important role your gums play, and why flossing can affect more than just the space between your teeth. We will also talk about something we don't always think about.... and that is; How our teeth naturally change as we age, what makes them darker or more yellow, and even a quick beauty tip for women that can make your smile "appear" brighter and whiter. A winning smile isn't just about your teeth...  It's about  your whole mouth. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask Podcast (949)263-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Send us Fan Mail Do we really need all those skin care products? Before you add another serum, mask, or "miracle" product to your  skin care routine, lets go back to basics. In this episode, I will go back to the core steps I learned in Esthetician School: Cleanse, Tone, Exfoliate, and Moisturize. What does each step actually do? Do we need all four? And as our skin changes with age, should our skin care routine change too? This isn't about having  more products. It's about understanding what your skin actually needs, and remembering that sometimes... less is really more. Let's get back to basics. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Send us Fan Mail Only have 30 minutes to move your body today?  What would be the better use of your time, a brisk walk or strength training? In this episode , I will share with you what actually happens inside your body during a "brisk" 30 minute walk, and during a focused strength training session. What weights do that walking can't, and why we need both as we age. And then there is the 10,000 Steps Rule. I admit it, I have been obsessed with getting my 10,000 steps in everyday for years. BUT, where did that rule come from? Was it based on science or was it marketing? Let's just say... I was surprised. I will also talk about purposeful walking, why a stroll while staring at your phone isn't  quite the same thing as a brisk walk, and how to choose a step goal that motivates you without becoming something you obsess over. Maybe the real questions isn't " Walk or Weights?" Maybe its... "What does my body need today?" Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Send us Fan Mail We hear the words Western, Eastern, Holistic, Functional, and Lifestyle Medicine, and Ayurveda all the time, but do you really know what they mean? After a conversation with my sister made me realize I had been confusing a couple of these approaches  myself, I decided it was time to sort them out, as much for me, as for you. In this episode, we take a simple look at the six major approaches to medicine today: what each one is, the philosophy behind it, what a typical treatment plan looks like, Where is shines and where it gets criticized. And here's what surprised me the most: These approaches may be more alike than you think. Different philosophies. Different tools. different ways of looking at health... but plenty of overlap. No choosing sides. Just a little clarity around the different paths available to you when it comes to your health. Enjoy, Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949) 236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Send us Fan Mail Have you heard of the  “Invisible Guest Theory” ? The idea is comforting: we often feel like everyone is watching and judging us, when in reality, most people are far more focused on themselves. But I started wondering...  Does this theory still hold up in the world we live in today? We live in a world where we are constantly seeing, and being seen, by people who may know absolutely nothing about our story. We think about first impressions. We think about how we look We observe other people And, whether we like it or not, we form opinions. So are we really invisible guests? Or have we simply become much more aware of being seen? In this episode, we will explore the Invisible Guest Theory, the psychology behind it, first impressions, our increasingly observational culture, and why being seen isn't necessarily the same thing as being judged. And by the end, I have a new theory of my own: If we are going to be seen anyway... maybe we should get comfortable being visible. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Send us Fan Mail Before They Were Mom & Dad. How well do you really KNOW  your parents? What does it actually mean to KNOW someone? I think most of us would say we know our parents. *You know their real name  *maiden name  *birthday  *what they do- or did for work *you may know what foods they like * if they like animals *you  know their habits You know a lot of facts  about them.  But… knowing facts about someone isn’t really the same thing as knowing someone. I think there is a difference between knowingabout a person and actually knowing the person. To truly know someone is to understand more than the facts about their life- you understand their experiences, their emotions, their values.  To truly know someone, I think you need to know the layers of them: Who they were.  Who they are. And  What shaped them… And maybe most importantly… what they wanted before life handed them something else?  And what do they wish someone understood about them? That question can tell you so much about a person-because we all have things about ourselves the other people don’t completely see. Knowing about someone is knowing their facts. Knowing someone is knowing their story. Now by that definition... how well do you know  your mom. Your dad. Your grandparents? In this food for thought conversation, we will talk about why we rarely ask about those chapters, why our parents and grandparents are living history books, and how one genuine question asked with curiosity can uncover stories you never knew existed. Knowing about someone is knowing their facts. Knowing someone is knowing their story. Now by that definition – how well do you know  your mom. Your dad. Your grandparents? The whole objective? Is to uncover a story, not just collect the facts. Have I convinced you to start asking questions?  If I have, you don’t need a plan, and you don’tneed to conduct a 3 hour family history interview!  You just need one real question.. asked with real curiosity. And try not to make it an interrogation. Just start a conversation. There are so many questions you could ask, but here are a few I have used that really dug up some fun interesting conversations. Start with this one: “who were you before you were mom and dad”? And then let that question take you wherever it goes. *what were you like before your name change?   *Did you like sports/ did you play any? *Were you an adventurous kid? *What was your favorite band when you were 16?  Did you go to any concerts? And then maybe… “set the stage for me. What was it like when you had your first crush? *what about your first kiss? First love? *Did you get along with your parents and siblings? * what made you fall in love? And did your family like him? * was there an invention or a change in the world that actually scared you? Here’s  another good one.. in my opinion..  what is something your parents got wrong-that you swore you would do differently? Again, there are so many questions.. if you want more suggestions let me know. Another good question is … what do you want me to remember about you that has nothing to do with being a parent? It’s a hard question.  Then just listen. Don’t turn the conversation back on you. Just listen. Let them run with it for as long as it takes.  Keep in mind you are not trying to get through a list.. you are trying to get to know  a person. And one little tip.. Try and ask questions that can’t be answered with just a yes or no. The whole objective is to uncover a story, notjust collect facts. Enjoy! Joanne The Aging Mask - A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Send us Fan Mail Why do you look so different in photos? Why do some people seem naturally photogenic, while others avoid the camera altogether? In this episode, I will talk with you  about the surprising  science behind pictures, why being photogenic isn't the same as being attractive, and why a single picture never tells your whole story. And most importantly, you will find out why its time to stop avoiding the camera, and start  being part of your own memories. Picture the last time you got ready to go out. You had completed all 3 S’s.. you showered, shaved, and styled. You looked in the mirror and the… Outfit was perfect Your hair looked great Your makeup was on point you felt really good  and your confidence was  high then someone said “let’s take a picture” then click, picture was taken- and a few seconds later you looked at the photo and thought …. wait, what happened? Who is that? I look older. I look Heavier. I look tired. Why do I suddenly have two chins? I ‘am so not photogenic Does that sound familiar?  So what happened? Was the mirror lying to you? Is the camera lying? Or is there something about pictures that changes the way we see ourselves? Why do some people seem naturally photogenic while some of us feel like the camera never captures who we really are? Why do some people photograph so beautifully while others never feel like the camera captures who they really are? The answer completely changed the way I look at photos.. and myself.. When you meet someone in real life you are not analyzing every feature on their face. You are listening You are making eye contact You are watching them smile And you are noticing how they move, laugh, and interact. We naturally notice warmth, confidence, kindness curiosity, and genuine eye contact. We respond to someone’s energy, not justtheir appearance. We experience people We don’t study them the way a camera does. A camera captures a face. People experiencea person.  Pictures make us look different because our eyes don’t work like cameras. A camera records light. that’s it. Your brain does something different. Your brain combines light with:  movement,  expression,  depth voice emotion and familiarity Your brain is constantly building a living picture of the people around you, and  a camera freezes one tiny fraction of a second. Those are two completely different experiences. So, if you have ever looked at a photo and thought.. "that’s not what I look like", you are probably right. The camera captured a split second of reflected light.  The first thing I want you to understand is that being photogenic is not the same as being attractive. Some faces just translate better into photographs. Certain facial features naturally create more definition when they are flattened into a picture.  The camera may naturally capture their facial features a little more easily.  Good Lighting, the right camera angle, and perfect timing in front of the camera can make a huge difference too. On the other hand, someone who feels tense or self-conscious may look less natural in a photo, and the camera happened to catch that moment of tension. That one split second can make the difference between a photo you love and one you immediately want to delete. Being photogenic is really a combination of how your unique facial features interact with light, the camera, and the moment the camera snaps  (again, it is not a measure of your attractiveness), it’s simply a measure of how well one frozen moment translated into a photo. Here is something you probably don’t think about…  3D to 2D.   That’s really the biggest reason why you think you look different in photos. We live in a 3 dimensional world. Everything around us has, height, width, and depth- including your face. Your face has depth - your nose projects foreword,  _your cheekbones curve outward  _and your eye sit deeper in their sockets.  And Your chin has shape. .. Every face is a landscape of contours and angles. But the moment a camera takes your picture all that depth is compressed into a flat, two dimensional image. Pictures are 2 dimensional. When depth disappears.. your face changes; your jawline loses definition Your nose may seem larger Your body may look wider or flatter than it actually is. Obviously is not that your face changed, but the camera removed the depth from your face. When someone looks at you in real life , their brain is constantly interpreting tiny visual clues. It uses shadows, perspective and the way light wraps around your face to understand its true shape- it instantly reconstructs a 3dimensional version of you. A photo can’t do that. It reduces all those depth cues to a flat surface. This is one reason so many of us say “ that doesn’t even look like me” when they see a picture of themselves.. they are not imagining it. That picture isn’t showing the full version of your face. It's showing a flattened version of a 3 dimensional person- and that is a very different experience from meeting someone in real life. DO you actually have a good side? Yes. Scientifically you do. Nobody has a perfectly symmetrical face. In fact, if you could split your face right down the middle you would probably notice that one eyebrow sits a little higher...  One eye opens a little wider One cheekbone is slightly more prominent, or one side of your smile lifts just a bit more. Those tiny differences are completely normal. They give your face character. When a camera flattens your face those tiny differences may become more noticeable- one side may catch the light a little better, create more flattering shadows, or just photograph more naturally. Here is what I wonder. How much time have you spent criticizing every photo of yourself over something that isn’t even an accurate representation? One frozen in time pic One awkward expression One bad angle Harsh lighting And somehow we have allowed that single image to become evidence of how we think we look. The next time a photo doesn’t “look like you”- remember: it’s not lying it’s just not complete. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Send us Fan Mail Today I want to talk about “Anger” What if I told you that anger itself isn’t  the problem? What if anger is just your body’s alarm system telling you that something deeper needs your attention? Before I begin I would like to make one thing clear. Feeling angry does not make someone abusive. Anger is an absolutely normal human emotion and a very normal human response. Abuse is something different. Abuse is a pattern of harmful behaviors, or choices that can involve anger, but anger itself is not abuse. We all experience anger, but we all don’t become abusive. With that said…let’s talk about what anger really is. Most of us have been taught that anger is just an emotion. And while that’s true, its only part of the story.  Anger is also a response. the difference is; An emotion is something we experience internally. Fear, sadness, embarrassment, disappointment, shame, jealousy, or feeling unheard, these are emotions. They tell you how you are feeling. A response is what your body and mind do because of those emotions. And This is where anger comes in. Anger shows up quick giving you the energy, & focus that you need to defend yourself, solve a problem, or push back against a perceived threat. In a lot of situations, anger is like a suit of armor , most of the time it protects your softer deeper emotions. Think about the last time you got angry. If you rewind the story, chances are there was another emotion there first. Maybe you felt hurt, or embarrassed. Whatever the emotion, those emotions can be uncomfortable and vulnerable, so your body often responds with anger because anger feels stronger than vulnerability. It feels more protective. For thousands of years anger helped keep us humans alive. Anger served a purpose. Anger evolved as a survival response.  Anger is part of the body’s built in alarm system. It is designed to help protect us when we perceive a threat, feel like we have been treated unfairly, or believe one of our boundaries has been crossed. When your brain senses danger it doesn’t wait for slow careful thinking..  It reacts. In a fraction of a second your nervous system prepares your body for action. *your heart beats faster. *your Blood pressure rises  * your breathing becomes quicker * your muscles tighten *and your brain becomes intensely focused on the threat. *your liver releases stored glucose into the blood stream, giving your muscles a quick source of energy. All of these changes happen automatically. You don’t choose them..your body does. The purpose of anger isn’t to make you lose control.. it’s to give you energy, confidence, and focus, to protect yourself  and respond to what your brain believes is important. Unlike fear, which sometimes makes us  withdrawal or avoid a situation…anger moves us forward, it motivates you to approach and confront  the problem, defend yourself, or protect someone or something  that you care about. Most of us grow up believing that anger is a “bad emotion”. We are taught to hide it.  Suppress it. Control it. Or pretend we are not feeling it at all. But in reality anger isn’t good or bad. Anger is information… Just like: Pain Hunger Or fatigue Anger is your body trying to tell you to pay attention.. something important to you needs your attention. Anger isn’t the problem… it’s a signal, and what matters is what you do with that signal. If you ignore it, bury it, or let it control your behavior, anger can for sure become destructive- it can damage your health, your relationships, and it can damage the way wesee other people. But, when you understand it, anger can become a catalyst for change. It can motivate you to set healthy boundaries, speak up for yourself, solve problems, and make really meaningful changes in your life. The goal isn’t to get rid of anger, the goal is to understand what you're angry is trying to tell you. What we eat can influence how easily your anger response it triggered. Diet does not create anger, but it does affect our patience, resilience and the ability to regulate our emotions. Foods high in added sugar can cause rapid spikes and crashes in your  blood sugar, leaving you feeling irritable, impatient and very short tempered. The same thing can happen if you skip meals and your blood sugar drops too low. Diets high in processed foods have also been linked to increased inflammation and poorer mental health- which makes it more difficult to manage stress, regulate your emotions and respond calmly instead of reacting with anger. The healthier and more stable we keep our bodies , the easier it is for our minds to stay balanced too. Hydration matters too: And don’t underestimate hydration-Even milddehydration is a stress on your body. Dehydration raises your cortisol-so it’s similar to a stress response, it also causes headaches, low energy, and fatigue, which of course all lower your tolerance for frustration. So, eating regularly, eating whole foods, and staying hydrated is one of the simplest, most physical ways to lower your baseline reactivity. Now, The goal here  isn’t to become someone who never gets angry… that’s impossible. It’s to become someone who understands WHY they are angry before they react. The healthiest thing you can do is learn how to care for the system creating the response, your nervous system, your body and your daily habits. Because you may not always be able to control what you feel, but you can learn to manage yourself. Remember this: Anger isn’t something that appears out of nowhere..  It's influenced by what happened to you, what you are thinking, and even how well you have taken care of your body. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)-236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast, we talk about warts. Yes, warts.   Why? because they are the ugliest, and the most fascinating thing that can appear on the human body. Warts are ALSO one of the most common skin conditions in the world, and it’s crazy because most of us know very little about them. We do know they are ugly, and bumpy. We assume they are dirty, but they are not. And the vast majority of warts are harmless, they are removed almost always for discomfort reasons and  cosmetic reasons. We will talk about what warts are, what causes them, how they spread, and why and how your immune system & skin play such an important role. I will talk about the three (3) most common types of warts: *the common wart *the Plantar wart * and  the genital wart  I will also share some surprising myths and myth bust along the way. You will learn why warts don't have roots, what those tiny black dots really are, why exposure doesn't always lead to infection, and how supporting your immune system and protecting your skin can help your body do what it does best... fight this virus. Some people are more prone to warts due to immune system differences, that’s why one person in a household gets warts and another doesn’t despite similar exposure. This is  why two people can walk barefoot  across the same pool deck, one develops a wart, and one doesn’t. This does serve as a reminder that our bodies are so incredibly individual and different. We all share the same world, the same viruses and many of the same exposures, but our immune systems don’t all respond the same way. With that being said… While we can’t control our age or genetics, we can support one of the most important players in the wart story, and that is our immune system. Healthy habits wont prevent every wart, but getting enough sleep, eating nourishing  foods, moving your body regularly, managing your stress, and taking care of your overall health all support your immune system...the very system responsible for recognizing and clearing HPV. This podcast on warts is a reminder that even something small as a wart tells a much bigger story about the crazy partnership between your skin, your immune system and your body’s ability to heal. Enjoy! Joanne Demers The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast (949)236-1529 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask