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Senior man practicing yoga trikonasana pose at the living room
Exercise & Fitness

The Body-Mind Connection

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

The body-mind connection is powerful. How you think can affect how feel physically. And how your body feels can impact your thoughts and emotions.

Do you have thoughts that are making you feel bad about yourself? Both physically and emotionally? Leave your negative thoughts and concerns with personal counselor Kendall and get on with a happier and healthier life.

Thoughts Impact Overall Health

There are ways for your brain to boost your overall health. One of these is natural pain reducers, endorphins, which can help to trigger positive feelings. Endorphins are a powerful part of the brain’s reward system. They are part of the body-mind connection. Hope and positivity can truly help with your body’s own ability to heal and thrive.

Conversely, negative thoughts can hold an individual back. Talking about this is not to say that anyone is to blame for health problems or dark thoughts, but bringing it up can shine a light on how improvements can be made. Talking through your issues can help you to feel better and promote positivity in your life.

Stress Reactions and Hormonal Shifts

When you are anxious, stressed, or depressed, there is an impact on your health and throughout your body. This is because these emotions, thoughts, and ideas can tense your muscles and increase your blood pressure. You may find your breath increasing, your heart rate speeding up. This stress reaction is also sometimes referred to as the fight-or-flight response.

These hormonal changes and physical shifts are part of your body’s natural safety response. It is a way for us to get out of a dangerous situation. This is extremely important in situations where our lives are endangered. But it can create harm when these stresses are put on the body for reasons that are not life-threatening. This could happen due to family problems, work pressure, or anger with strangers on the road, for example.

To improve your life, you need to learn to relax both your body and mind. Then, you will have tools to assist your body in reducing the stress hormones. Easing stress through your own actions means you can return to a calm state, a process that can be good for your mental and physical health.

Improve Your Body-Mind Connection

If you believe you are not living your life to its full potential, there are ways to make improvements.

  • Be kind to yourself. Give yourself a break from problems that are troubling you repeatedly. Talk through them with a professional and practice mindfulness.
  • Stand tall. Confidence can be boosted by improving your posture and facial expressions. You may feel physically better when you allow yourself to smile more.
  • Write about your problems. Journaling can be a powerful way to cope with worries. When you write through issues, it can help reduce stress.
  • Clear your mind. Meditation can help to alleviate pain, physical, and mental. Exercise and time spent in nature can help, too.
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Smiling Mature Woman In Home Office By Bookcase
Healthy Living

Life Changes to Make When Over 50

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

As we age, life changes. And instead of resisting it, remember that you can’t move forward if you are stuck in the past. By this point in life, most of us have a system in place, a way to manage bills, family, commitments, and responsibilities. But what if those methods are no longer working for you?

Healthy adjustments can be made at every age. Talk through your concerns with personal counselor and decide what is important.

Shedding Clutter and Making Life Changes

When people are building their lives in their 20s and 30s they are acquiring the things they need. But as time passes, some of those items are no longer needed. It is then time to evaluate the items accumulated over the years.

Where is your life headed? What do you need and want to live your best life? After children have grown up and careers have shifted, it is likely you no longer need many of the things acquired. Allow yourself to focus on your own happiness, shed what is no longer necessary.

Open Your Eyes to New Opportunities

Appreciate your past but allow yourself to move forward and explore new ways to connect with others, pursue interests, and cultivate happiness.

It is natural to have this time of life be a time of transition. For some, it is difficult to accept their kids growing up and needing them less. For others, downsizing leads to losing a job. Even individuals who have not faced age discrimination or technology changes in the workplace find themselves looking at their retirement options. If the majority of one’s adult life was spent working, retirement can lead to identity issues and income concerns.

Heal As Relationships Change

Life changes also mean relationship changes. Marriages may end and new connections may happen, creating shifts in your sense of self and how you relate to your extended group of family and friends.

There are also situations when a husband, wife, or family member becomes ill. The extended illness of a spouse can lead to a husband or wife finding themselves coping with the responsibilities of being a caregiver. Also, there are deaths that can be difficult to process.

And as these integral relationships change it may be time to assess other responsibilities, too. Maybe there are clubs you’ve belonged to for years that no longer fit in your life. Or if you volunteer maybe the organization you want to give your time to is one you never would have considered a decade prior.

Discussing life changes with a personal support professional is a path to healing. There are many aspects of life that can feel uncertain when people reach the age of 50. While society views this time of life as steady, many are coping with divorces, job losses, aging parents, and even being nervous about venturing into new opportunities and relationships. Even when those new endeavors are appealing and healthy.

Feeling overwhelmed is not a weakness, it is your body telling you to step back, analyze old habits, and move toward a feeling of strength.

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Aging

How Friends Keeps Us Young at Heart

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

Staying socially active enriches our lives, and creating intergenerational friends keeps us young at heart and mind. But, how does an older person create a mutually beneficial relationship with someone a decade or so younger without making them feel like they’re being groomed to be the absent child?

I’ve always had older and younger friends. I’ve been lucky that way and now that I’m older, and have no children, I don’t worry that a younger friend will ever feel like I treat her or expect her to take the role of my (absent) child, nor would I want to be her surrogate mom. On the other hand, I would never treat an older friend as my mother/father or aunt/uncle. The trick is not to make defensive jokes or remarks about how old I am nor do I force my wisdom and experience on them. I see each person (older or younger) as whole and complete.

Most of us make friends with people because we like them. We have interests or experiences in common. They make us laugh. They make us feel special. And we should do the same for them. There’s always room for more friends in our lives. So why allow a random factor like an age to stand in the way?

And most understand that having friends is important, but they have no idea how important it really is. Scientists are starting to discover that having friends who care about us is really a vital part of living. And it’s a very good predictor of good health, success, and happiness.

Why Friends Matter

A study by Gallup showed if you hang around people having a nutritious and healthy mindset, you are more than five times as likely to have a very healthy diet yourself.

  • Scientists have found that being lonely is more dangerous than air pollution, obesity, or excessive drinking.
  • Individuals who are not lonely have as many problems as lonely people. But when you’re lonely, the problems faced stress you more and for a longer time. People with active social groups are able to move past stress faster. It’s believed that their friends make that possible.
  • When an individual stresses, their friends remind them of their value, giving the person the ability to quickly move out of feeling negative.
  • Friendship is the leading factor of happiness.
  • We learn to make friends accidentally. No one, even our parents, teach us how to do it.

 

Friendships can’t be looked at as either black or white; either we are best friends forever, or not at all. Holding a hard and fast rule about friendships will hurt you. Try to focus on ranges of friendships from acquaintances, to very casual, to very close. Having a broad and interesting social circle is key to happiness. With casual friends, your investment of time and energy is just smaller, and you share less intimate information.

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Senior woman exercising at home
Healthy Living

How to Keep a Productive Mindset During the Whole Day

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Nowadays, everybody is busy. Even little children are busy with their own things. Most adults wake up every morning with tons of activities waiting to be performed. As a father, CEO, essay writer or lawyer, you know what I’m talking about.

The only people who succeed in this world are those who know how to manage their time and productivity effectively. People who can’t manage their time well never get the most important things done and this pulls them down like a sea anchor.

If you’ve been struggling to maintain a productive mindset, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we are going to discuss a few great tips that will help you maintain a productive mindset the entire day. Let’s get started!

Put it down on paper

You should write down every activity or project you are expected to work on. Assignment writers Australia agree that writing down things organizes your mind and reduces the amount of energy needed trying to remember the tasks. You should prepare this list preferably at night before you sleep or when you wake in the morning. After creating the list, organize the activities, organize them in order of priority.

Start with the most important task and progress until you are through with the list. Start working on the most important task until you complete it successfully. Then move on to the next task. Never progress to task 2 when task 1 is not complete.

There is no point in starting something and failing to finish. It’s better not to start at all. But if you want to maintain a productive mindset, you have to work hard on your tasks and stick with them to completion.

Start with the difficult task

No one loves working on difficult tasks. However, the most difficult tasks are usually the most rewarding if done efficiently and completed successfully. It’s easy for us to fall into the trap of starting with the easiest task and progressing to harder tasks.

People who do this never complete the most important tasks and that’s why they never succeed. Starting with the hard task boosts your energy and motivation as you progress with the easier tasks. Completing a hard task is a powerful confidence booster.

Eliminate distractions

The number one killer of productivity and effectiveness is distractions. In the past, it used to be either a knock on the door or a phone call. Nowadays, we have distractions around us every time. The tools we use to work with can easily distract us. How many times have you gone into the office to work only to find yourself chatting with your friends or watching videos on YouTube? It’s absolutely amazing how much time is wasted unconsciously.

You have to take back control of your time and life. Say no to distractions. Switch off your phone or keep it away. Turn off the notifications on your computer. Block sites that will waste your time using the right apps. Focusing on your work and completing your tasks will help you achieve your goals easily and quickly.

Take short breaks

No matter how hard you love to work, there is always a limit. Scientists have conducted a series of research and found that concentration levels start declining after 90 minutes of focus. Even if you have a pile of paperwork to work on, you should take short breaks after 90 minutes.

Taking a short break will help your mind and body refresh and recover the energy you need to be more productive. During the short break, you can take a walk, go for a jog, meditate, chat with friends or drink a glass of water.

Eat healthy foods

How does the food you eat affect your productivity and energy levels? In every way. Poor health is mainly caused by eating foods that add no value to your body such as junk food. Have you ever noticed how you felt after eating a vegetable salad vs fries and burgers?

The most productive people eat the right foods to keep themselves fit and energized. It’s important to consult your nutritionist if you are having a hard time knowing the right food to eat.

Exercise regularly

Exercise not only improves your physical health but also your mental health. If you want to have a productive mindset you have to get out and exercise every day.

This does not mean you have to hit the gym every day. You can leave your car or motorbike at home and walk to the office. Getting your heart racing will boost your creativity and moods.

Learn to say no

Why do the majority of people say yes when they should be saying no? You see, saying yes is easy. You don’t have to quarrel or disagree with anyone. However, it’s really costing you in the long run. The most successful people say no to almost everything. And you should too.

You should not let other people dictate how your day is going to be. Saying no will make other people respect you and your plans. Once you learn how to say no, you’ll never complain or explain.

Delegate

You should not be working on everything that appears on your list. Your main goal should be to complete the most important tasks that can only be done by you. If others can do the same work, delegate the task.

As the popular saying goes, two heads are better than one. By delegating tasks, you will have more time to focus on the most important tasks. You’ll also get more work done at the end of the day.

Conclusion

Time management is the foundation of success and achievement. People who don’t know how to manage their time effectively have no chance in our competitive world. You can have a productive mindset the whole day by practicing the tips discussed above as soon as you can. Get started now! You have nothing to lose.

By Isabell Gaylord

Isabell is a writer and a journalist who contributes to Rush Essayand MyAssignmenta lot. She can spend hours with a cup of latte in one hand and an exciting book in another and enjoys spending time with interesting people as she believes they bring her strength and inspiration. Follow Isabell on Twitter.

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modern race car interior
Aging

New Docu-Series Showcases Older Adults Pursuing Their Passions

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

“I’m 57 years old, and I think this is the best year of my life.”

Dean Neuls may be in his fifth decade, but he’s determined to pursue his dreams and wring every last drop of life out of the present moment. So despite a hip replacement and the aches and pains that come with osteoarthritis, Dean is fulfilling his childhood ‘need for speed’.

Two years ago, he took to the racetrack in Porsche’s Racing Experience One. It was exhilarating, terrifying, and the culmination of a lifelong dream…

Now, Dean is sharing his story in a new docu-series called At Any Age, in the hopes that it may ignite a spark of inspiration in his fellow older adults.

Click on the video below to watch episode 1 of At Any Age and experience Dean’s story for yourself:

 

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4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise
Exercise & Fitness

4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

By and large, most Americans prefer to avoid exercise. As we grow older, exercise becomes more difficult, and we come up with more and more excuses to avoid it. Unfortunately, that can have grave consequences for seniors: lack of physical activity harms the elderly more than any other age group. 4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise
Despite that fact, few American seniors meet the CDC’s physical activity guidelines for older adults. The CDC’s guidelines for healthy seniors include 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, and muscle-strengthening exercise two or more days each week.
While those might seem like ambitious exercise goals, the average American senior barely gets a fraction of that much exercise. Most seniors are sedentary for more than eight hours every day, and upwards of 25% get no physical activity whatsoever.
That makes encouraging exercise an important part of being a senior caregiver. As a family caregiver, you should expect some resistance if you try to encourage your mom, dad, or grandparent to exercise. Seniors can provide you with all sorts of reasons why they shouldn’t exercise or don’t need physical activity. Here are four of the most common reasons seniors give to avoid exercise, along with what you can say in response to convince them otherwise.
Note: Senior exercise can come with major risks unless it’s medically directed. To avoid risk of strain or serious injury, always consult with your loved one’s physician before having them start a new exercise program. 4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise

Excuse #1: “The Recommendations are Unrealistic for Me”

Many seniors will argue that they will never meet healthy exercise guidelines. They don’t have the time, the energy, or physical fitness to meet the guidelines now, and there’s no way they will five years from now either. So why even bother?
Even if they won’t be able to meet the CDC’s guidelines, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be exercising. Every bit of physical exercise counts, as plenty of medical research demonstrated. Going from 0 to 10 minutes of moderate exercise a day will have a huge impact on your loved one’s physical and mental well-being, even if they never get close to the CDC guidelines.

Excuse #2: “My Chronic Condition Prevents Exercise”

Many seniors who suffer from chronic conditions — like heart disease, COPD, or diabetes — will claim their condition puts them at far too high a risk for physical exercise. Some seniors will even be happy to list all of the types of exercise their doctor has told them to avoid.
What they probably won’t tell you is the types of exercise their doctor recommended as alternatives. While severe conditions can prevent physical activity, exercise plays a crucial role in managing conditions like heart disease, COPD, and diabetes. The key is to speak with your loved one’s physician about what kinds of exercise will be safe for your loved one.

Excuse #3: “I’ve Got Too Many Aches and Pains Already”

Many seniors suffer from chronic soreness. Back, knee, and joint issues are some of the most common causes for these types of aches and pains. Physical activity can aggravate back and joint issues, and could even put your loved one at risk of injury, so many seniors just don’t take the risk.
As with chronic conditions, back and joint pain can be managed with the right kinds of exercise. Activities like water aerobics can prevent undue stress on your loved ones back, knees, or joints. If soreness is related to arthritis, your loved one’s doctor can recommend exercises that improve joint flexibility and reduce arthritis symptoms.

Excuse #4: “I Don’t Have the Energy”

Few seniors have the kind of energy they used to have at 20, 30, or even 50 years old. That can make it tough to motivate older adults to get active. Seniors who feel too tired or sluggish for exercise will sometimes say they’d love to get active… just not today.
Low energy levels can be a catch-22 when it comes to exercise. Regular physical activity is one of the best ways to boost energy, but exercise won’t help if seniors don’t have the energy in the first place. To help, you might consider starting with short burst of light exercise or encourage a healthier diet to improve energy levels. Sometimes, low energy can be due to a medical issue, so it is always wise to have your loved one consult their physician.
If you can’t be there to help motivate your loved one, you might want to consider senior caregiver services. At Visiting Angels, our caregivers are often provide seniors with the encouragement and motivation they need to get active. Contact your local office today to connect with caregivers in your area. 4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise

4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise

4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise 4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise 4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise 4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise 4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise

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How Continuous Learning Helps Aging Seniors
Healthy Living

How Continuous Learning Helps Aging Seniors

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

Why are doctors and lawyers made to go out and get continuing education credits? It keeps them sharp, exposes them to new ideas, and keeps them growing and progressing in their fields. How Continuous Learning Helps Aging Seniors
This doesn’t only work for folks with jobs that need expensive degrees. Everyone benefits from continuing their education throughout their life. How Continuous Learning Helps Aging Seniors
Making education and mentally challenging activities a regular part of your routine significantly lowers your risk of dementia later in life. How Continuous Learning Helps Aging Seniors
Here we talk about how to incorporate more continuous learning into your everyday routine in an easy and manageable way.

Continuous Learning Outside of A Classroom: Get A Hobby

One of the easiest ways to continue stimulating your brain is learning new skills and starting new hobbies.
Scientists used to think that doing simple crossword puzzles or listening to classical music in the evening would greatly benefit the brain. New studies have been showing learning how to do something new is even better.
Now, your new hobby doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. It should challenge you though.
Try something like counted cross-stitch which uses different parts of the brain at the same time. The fine needlework not only needs focused concentration but logical reasoning while you count, plus the beautiful results light up the brain’s pleasure centers.
Even something as simple as puzzle building can be complex enough to start encouraging cell growth.
Not good with your hands? Take up photography or start going to acting classes. The arts engage the whole brain, not only different levels memory but high-level cognitive centers, so they are the most beneficial.

Using the Latest Technology to Your Benefit: Learn How to Use a New Piece of Tech

Another amazing way to keep your neurons firing is learning new technology. While it can be scary to learn how to use something new, it’s super great for your brain.
Technology doesn’t just give you a new learning challenge. Getting the newest smartphone or tablet gives you unlimited access and connection to your loved ones.
Getting familiar with learning technology and being flexible not only helps your mind but gives you a direct connection to your entire family.

What If Dementia Has Already Begun?

Even if you or a loved one are in the beginning stages of dementia these strategies can still help.
Focusing on engaging activities for the brain is a great place to start for continuous learning.
Even cooking and basic household cleaning can help an aging brain. These activities require many levels of brain activity to be successful. Encourage whoever is suffering to do all they can.
If you find yourself struggling with taking care of someone who has dementia, or simply want some techniques to cope better with aging yourself, don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional for help. A counselor specialized in aging and seniors consulting is even better!
Have your own techniques on how to keep your brain young? Found some things that have worked for someone you love? Comment below and tell us all about it, we would love to hear from you!

How Continuous Learning Helps Aging Seniors

How Continuous Learning Helps Aging Seniors How Continuous Learning Helps Aging Seniors How Continuous Learning Helps Aging Seniors How Continuous Learning Helps Aging Seniors How Continuous Learning Helps Aging Seniors How Continuous Learning Helps Aging Seniors

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Master the Mobility Game as you Age
Exercise & Fitness

Master the Mobility Game as you Age

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Staying mobile is an important factor in health as you age. Not only does it help you maintain your health, it is also a major factor in holding on to your independence. There are a number of ways to master mobility even as you age: Master the Mobility Game as you Age
1. Walk: Taking walks is by far one of the best ways to stay active. If you don’t have time, incorporate it into your day. A trip to the grocery store is a good start, and you can take an extra step by parking at the back of the lot. This is a great way to increase the distance you walk each day. And maybe the best part of walking? It’s free! Master the Mobility Game as you Age
2. Find a Hobby: Having a hobby is a great way to keep your body and mind mobile. Knitting works muscles in your hands that improve dexterity while keeping your concentration sharp. Gardening works a number of muscle systems and is known to actively relax the gardener. Remember that it is supposed to be fun, so find a hobby that you love to keep you sharp and active!
3. Partner Up: One way to make sure you enjoy either a walk or a hobby is to bring along a friend. This is a great way to stay motivated to get up and out, and it also makes the activity more enjoyable overall. Call a friend who is also looking to stay active and mobile for a walk.
4. Consider a Cane: If you are having a real problem staying mobile, consider using a cane. Most people fear that a cane will limit them; on the contrary, it can be the tool that can help get you up and moving. Even if you do not plan to use it long term, a cane can help you keep active and build confidence for walking longer distances without it. We highly recommend the Hurrycane, the #1 selling cane in America.
5. Take the Stairs: Going up and down stairs is a good way to add difficulty to your walk. It works different muscles and is proven to literally help people get out of bed in the morning. This doesn’t have to be a tedious repetition of up and down; it can be as simple as taking the stairs over the elevators when there is an option.
Try one or all of these tips throughout the course of your daily routine to master mobility.

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Aging

Making Social Connections to Age Well

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

It’s no secret that I run a Facebook group for people growing older at home. It’s geared to the individuals having little to rare support from a family member. Some feel lonely while others do not. Making Social Connections to Age Well
In this group, there are stories of loneliness, physical pain, emotional hardships, and the flip side of adversity, like traveling the world, retiring to another country, finding a more challenging job, while others go back to school for a second or third degree. It’s fun to read the stories and observe how some move out of tough circumstances.
There are big differences between those who thrive and those who struggle. The people who thrive are active, resourceful, and curious. Growing older isn’t a road block, but instead a new phase of advancement and here’s what they do differently:

  • Play games or solve crossword puzzles, and tackle brain exercises
  • Volunteer to make a difference
  • Learn a new hobby or skill
  • Travel and meet people of different cultures
  • Grow a vegetable or flower garden
  • Work part-time to get out of the house
  • Make friends to build a support team
  • Attend classes at the library, senior center or community college
  • Help a neighbor next door
  • Take cooking classes

The one gold standard that sets thriving and struggling apart is actively making local connections. Quite simply, one must get up and get going — and that means get out of the house and start real-life conversations. Here are a few tips to get started:

  • Attend meetings and activities at senior centers, you may not create close connections immediately but don’t give up. Go back regularly and as you form new friendships, ask them to lunch and to bring a friend next. Over a few months you’ll enjoy meeting more new friends and seeing the lunch group grow.
  • Do hobbies and other activities together in addition to lunches. Find local Meetup groups that offer other interests like writing, dancing, hobbies, cooking, walking, and classes to learn technology skills.
  • Libraries are another wonderful resource to build friendships. The Dallas public library offers free painting classes, exercise and yoga, and book clubs and lots more, so check out your local library.
  • Volunteer – Check with your local Area Agency on Aging Department to find ways to help the frail and elderly. Other organizations like AARP, the Senior Corp, and Points of Light will steer you to people or pets who have needs.

If you’re open to meeting new people and I hope you are, then pick up the phone or go to the web to locate the organizations online. If you stay at it and make a reasonable effort, I bet you’ll wind up having a lot of fun and adventure with new friends.
Opt-in to my Newsletter called Age with Purpose. Send an email to Carol@seniorcare.com and in the subject line put Newsletter.
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Making Social Connections to Age Well

Making Social Connections to Age Well Making Social Connections to Age Well Making Social Connections to Age Well Making Social Connections to Age Well Making Social Connections to Age Well Making Social Connections to Age Well Making Social Connections to Age Well Making Social Connections to Age Well Making Social Connections to Age Well Making Social Connections to Age Well Making Social Connections to Age Well

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