Category Archives: Psychology

Cataracts: Energy and Mental Health

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A few years ago, I experienced Blog Burnout – why? I was just not interested in writing anymore. In fact, I was not really interested in doing much of anything.

I knew that aging and life changes had affected my energy levels and mental well being. But why? I’d experienced other life changes, and sure, it affected me for a while, but not for months at a time. Something else was going on.

One change, was my vision. My visual acuity had greatly diminished. I had worn glasses for most of my life, but now even new glasses did not improve my vision like they once did. I could still see well enough to read and write, and do other activities, so why wasn’t I doing them?

It wasn’t until I had cataract surgery in both eyes, that I realized the answer.

A cataract is the crystallization or hardening of the internal lens of the eye. The normally clear lens, in conjunction with the cornea, refracts or bends light, allowing it to focus sharply onto the macula area of the retina. The crystallization of the lens makes the lens cloudy, preventing proper focusing, and reduces the amount of light entering the eye, resulting in diminished visual acuity.

During cataract surgery the old lens is removed, and a new Intraocular Lens (IOL) is put in its place. The IOL enables proper focusing, and allows the maximum amount of light to enter the eye, restoring clear vision. An individual, may still need external eye wear depending on other eye issues, but generally speaking the results are amazing!

In my case, my vision was restored to nearly perfect or 20/20 vision, as I am sure you’ve heard it called. Mine was actually 20/25 combined vision for both eyes!

So my surgery result was great, and of course I was very pleased, but my energy level still had not improved.

About six months after the surgery, I found myself doing projects. A lot of projects! Blogging, songwriting, household projects, planning outings, etc. It was like suddenly I had a burst of energy. I was elated by this energy, but I wondered why?

Then I recalled an article I had read decades before. It was by Dr. John Ott on Full Spectrum Light (FSL). Dr. Ott found that plant, animal, and human health all improve when exposed to FSL – or the full range of the sun’s visible colors, including wavelengths like infrared.

When one stays indoors, is continuously exposed to artificial lighting, or experiences long dark winters with reduced sunlight, they lose energy or become depressed. In my case, my dense cataracts were preventing me from getting FSL, thus my low energy and moody well being. That had to be it!

What does FSL do to the brain? Individuals who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the fall and winter months when sunlight is diminished, produce lower levels of the hormone serotonin.

“Serotonin is known to reduce depression and regulate mood, which in turn affects energy levels.”

There you have it. My cataracts prevented FSL from entering my eye, thus affecting my serotonin production!

Cataracts removed, my body took a while to adapt, and six months later my serotonin levels increased to normal and so did my life! That’s my theory anyway.

FSL is actually available in films and lighting equipment for those long, dark winter months. It should be utilized in schools, hospitals, and elder care facilities as well. If you are older, don’t neglect your eye health!

If you need cataract surgery – get it! It will improve your visual acuity, and your mental health! Try to get at least one hour a day of FSL.

You’ll be happy that you did!

Dugout Dream

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When I was young, I dreamed of being a professional baseball player. I did the Little League thing and played local-park baseball. I never really got beyond that point in my baseball career. I was a pretty good ball player, but not exceptional.

However, I never lost my love for the game. I still consider baseball my favorite sport, but do not really keep up with the game as I’d like.

My uncle, who lived on the East Coast, loved baseball, especially the NY Yankees. He kept stats on every player, in every league, for decades. He had stacks of stats, and could quote them on demand; I just couldn’t do that.

At one point, I really thought that baseball might happen for me, not as a player, but as a motivational coach in the dugout. No fame, no glory, just helping players perform optimally. I still have this dream today.

My “Dugout Dream,” is to teach players how to relax before going to bat, using my simple method of producing Alpha Waves (AlphaWAVE Relaxation / Performance Improvement Disk). I’d never go to bat, but I’d help the player that did. I’d never play the field, but remain in the dugout. I’d be pretty happy with that Dugout Dream!

I’d work with the player(s) for an hour a day, for two weeks. Then in the dugout, prior to batting, we’d go over the process. I’d do this for every player, at every at bat, and at every game.

At the end of the season, each player would improve their batting average by a minimum of 3.7%, most likely more. Now that may not sound like a lot, but it adds up. Especially when a player(s) gets a clutch hit, in a crucial instance, that wins the game.

None of this has ever happened, but not for lack of trying. I have sent countless letters to minor league team owners and managers, asking for a tryout. Let me do Zoom trainings (for free) with a couple of players, and let’s see how their batting improves over a season.

To date, no one has given me a chance; but I’ll keep trying. Because one day, I know the coach who does will be happy to present me with a pennant winning ring!

I just have to keep swinging the bat, and eventually I will hit a home run… even if it is from the dugout!