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Inspiring Opportunities Free E-Newsletter |
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Well Being Paying attention to personal health and well-being is crucial to living the next chapter of life to the fullest. Whether that means taking a deeper look at spirituality or learning about ways to manage stress, there’s no better time than now to think about your well being.
The Best Summer Camps for Grown-ups! Color War anyone?Camps for grown-ups! What a great idea. For many, their camp experiences were the high point of their youth. Grownupcamps.com reports that there are 800 camps and more than a million adults who have taken advantage of this growing vacation/learning experience. Check out this listing of opportunities (their costs and locations) that you can pursue as you dabble in new things or relive the old: food and wine, music, outdoors (bird watching, hiking), sports, writing, arts and crafts, adventure/fantasy (think cowboys), and dance and theater. Get those name tags sewed into your T-sheets and have a ball!
Man Up and Get Ready for Your Encore...Hey, fella, are you between middle age and true old age? Then you’re in your "encore stage of life.” Working? Retired? Doesn’t matter. Coming of Age is looking for a few good (encore) men—12 or so who want to get together to talk about whatever feels right--sports, kids, grandkids, work, dreams, doubts--all based on the notion that we’re in a new stage of life that really didn’t exist before. We’ll start the group in Center City. So…if you’re interested, click here and fill out this VERY short form. We’ll get back to you soon.
An Egg a Day is Really OkayWhile we know that egg yolks are high in cholesterol and therefore have been deemed a "no no" for anyone fearing heart disease or a stroke, a new analysis reports that eggs are not the dietary "pariahs" they were thought to be. The study suggests that for most people, eating one egg a day is not bad for the heart. Researchers reviewed eight studies including 263,938 subjects and pooled the data for analysis. They found no evidence that eating up to an egg a day increased the risk of heart disease or stroke. The results were the same for men and women and in all age ranges. Now we need a study that says bacon is really the key to good health!
Why Am I Shrinking?It is true...as we age we lose some height. Some of it is caused as the disks between the vertebrae of the spine dry out and become thinner, with the result that the spine becomes compressed. The bone loss known as osteoporosis can also contribute. On the positive side, those who exercise, strengthening their core, may retain or gain height through better posture. And some research, while not definitive, has offered promising evidence that yoga may even help reverse the curving of the spine. And make sure you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D. If exercise isn't your thing, you can always ask the doctor to measure you lying down!
Exercise Improves Attitudes about AgingWe have all heard about how important it is to exercise, especially as we age. What we probably haven't considered is that exercise can actually improve a person's attitude toward aging and make them feel happier and fulfilled. The researchers gathered 240 sedentary women from ages 70 to 93. They were divided into three groups and were studied over a 6-month period, with the first group following an exercise routine, the second learning computer skills, and the third going about their lives as usual. By the end of the program, the physical exercise group showed significant improvement in their positive attitude toward getting older compared to those in the other groups. The findings are illuminating and very positive... keep reading for the details.
A professional caregiver has some helpful tips for boomers worrying about their parents' diets. A 2010 research study by the Geneva University Hospital in Switzerland actually reveals that a properly stocked refrigerator can make a major difference in an ill parent’s health. To ensure that your aging parent is getting the best diet without constant supervision, keep reading for a list of refrigerator staples...
"Unfriending" May be a Healthy ActWell-known age 50+ author Suzanne Braun Levine takes on the question of how to shed old friends and keep those that enhance our lives as she is researching her new book, "Why Your Girlfriends Are Good for Your Health." She confirms the increasingly meaningful role that friends play as women age and face transitions. But, research also suggests that while supportive, intimate friendships are life-enhancing, toxic or simply tired friendships are a drain on our well-being. So, she posits, unfriending is as important as a daily workout. Add your thoughts on this topic in the comment section of this Huffington Post blog.
Exercise...and Cut Down on SittingIt probably comes as no surprise that the more time someone spends sitting, especially in front of the television, the "less robust" his or her life may be. One recent study isolated the effect that sitting has on people’s life spans and the findings were sobering: every single hour of TV watched after the age of 25 reduces the viewer’s life expectancy by 21.8 minutes. So, consider cutting back on TV time and look at the rest of your day and find ways to walk, stand, and move around more, even if you are in an office. This article points out that sitting less doesn't take the place of exercise. Both are needed to maintain good health.
Size Counts...in Calories and ClothingAll of us are label conscious. We feel good ordering the "small" drink thinking that we are saving calories and rejoice when we can fit into a "smaller" dress. What we don't realize is that restaurants and manufacturers actually have free rein to mark their food products...and "relabel" their clothing...to please their customers and promote a better self-image. This NPR video and article is an eye opener! A University of Michigan study has called for standardization of portion sizes across restaurants to address rising obesity and improve public health. Getting rid of "vanity labeling?" Now that's another story!
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