The BBC last night reported… Researchers have tracked the exercise habits of 110,000 men and women for 30 years. Apparently, active people who do the greatest variety of exercise are 19% less likely to die during that time than those who focused on one activity. They conclude that doing a variety of different physical activities every week is the key to boosting your health and living longer.
When folks my age were younger, we did competitive sport, gym sessions, work-based activity, physical challenges… Now the variety’s more gentle – walking, cycling, swimming, gardening…
Research suggests… When exercising, ‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,’ ‘Variety is the spice of life’. This is the ‘Basketed Spicy Eggs Principle’.
Applying this Basketed Spicy Eggs Principle to other aspects of life…
…For our intellectual health we need different mind-exercises – completing a crossword, researching a historical theme, solving mathematical puzzles, engaging with quizzes…
…For our social health we need to engage with people in a variety of settings – at work, at a club, at the café, with other dog walkers, in church, in our homes and families.
…Mental health experts emphasise managing stress and anxiety through exercise or meditation, staying connected with friends and family, practicing self-care through hobbies, rest and diet…
Applying the Basketed Spicy Eggs Principle to our spiritual health… We have a personal faith, praying and meditation on our own; we meet and share with others of like mind and spirit. We appreciate loud, enthusiastic worship; we engage with the quiet and the solemn…
We’re encouraged by those who agree with us; we’re challenged by those who disagree with us. We’re serve our community’s needs through local projects; we’re committed to our personal and family needs.
Spiritual health, like eggs, is fragile; if put all in one basket it’s likely to break if dropped. Spiritual health, like varied spice, can give life greater flavour, making it more interesting and enjoyable.
Musing on my health… particularly my spiritual health… seeking to apply the Basketed Spicy Eggs Principle.
malcolmsmusings.org 
I find these theories so interesting but also rather useless. It all depends on your life and what you can ‘squeeze in’. The waitress in a restaurant doesn’t need any other exercise, neither does the mailman or the firefighter. What we eat and need, defers on our life, age and health. A woman in Kenia or in Siberia has a different need, as well as a different life. It’s like it is with horoscopes, it all sounds good if you want it to fit. If not, use common sense.
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I share a bit of cynicism, with the ‘research proves….’ type statements. It seemed an interesting idea – especially relating it to my own spiritual experience. I certainly feel that I have been spiritually healthier as I’ve appreciated a broader understanding.
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Varied but consistent doing turns the key that unlocks essential health. Thanks, Malcolm, for these excellent reminders.
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It seems to make sense to me,
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Very good post! 🙂
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Thank you, Linda
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being I am adventurer at heart, I like variety…my wife says it will be the death of me, trying something new without proper risk assessment. My wife nixed my allure of high diving in the wilderness…nothing above 40 feet anyway…The curious me wants to do a deep dive into the why but it’s probably clothed in common sense. Im with Linda…Good post
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Thanks, Gary. I guess the variety needs to be realistic and appropriate – but still challenging and stimulating to keep it spicy!
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Keep it spicy—I like that!
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Life can never be boring, Dana!
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