The Challenge of Ageing and Embracing Life’s Full Potential

Age is Just a number?

If ageing isn’t sometimes challenging enough age-related narratives can seriously inhibit older people from embracing life’s full potential.

We tend to count our birthdays like milestones set alongside the pathway of life.This linear progression is often associated with inevitable physical and mental limitations and decline.A negative view that encourages and sustains negative ageist views about older age.

Societal norms have developed the idea that age as measured in years lived dictate what can or can’t be done in your life.This perception of age supported, for instance, retirement from gainful employment. Often people of say age 65 in the UK were required to retire as being considered beyond having the ability to contribute anymore economically because of perceived reduced facilities.This was an abrupt change in lifestyle for many and paid no heed to actual physical or mental capacity, or the value of lifetime experience. Today, chronological age still sustains narrow norms for living and behaviour and takes no account of the fact that people age differently in terms of their abilities.There is ,however, a difference between chronological age and biological age, and biological age is not the same for everyone.

What if age is not that seemingly linear progression but is instead a mosaic? A vibrant collage of experiences, wisdom ,and potential, far higher and more dynamic than a single number can represent.

Smashing Ageist Stereotypes

In truth, ageing is a process.Although we inevitably lose cognitive ability as we become older studies ,including those made by the National Institute of Health Stern (2012), show that people, through their lifetime experiences, can develop a resistance to help protect them against cognitive losses from ageing and disease.

“As we age our memory declines.This an ingrained assumption for many of us,”writes Neuroscientist and clinical professor Richard Restak in his book,The Complete Guide to Memory: The Strengthening of the Mind. Regardless of what is generally believed, he explains why though memory gets worse with age decline isn’t inevitable.With training and practice your memory can be developed to “enhance attention, focus, abstraction, naming, spatial visualisation, verbal facility, language, and word acquisition.In a phrase ,memory is the key to brain enhancement.”

So forget the image of the forgetful grandparent struggling with technology, or failing to remember where he or she last left her keys.Consider,Harry Lorayne , who was an American magician and memory-training specialist renowned for his memory feats. He wrote numerous books on memory improvement.Two of his best selling books still in print are:How To Develop A Superpower Memory and The Memory Book: The Classic Guide to Improving Your Memory at Work ,at School and at Play. The latter book he wrote with author Jerry Lucas. Lorayne was a popular guest on television shows, showcasing his remarkable ability to remember names, numbers, and other information. He died in 2023 at the age of 96.Maintaining his memory prowess, he had continued to perform and teach well into his older years,

There are countless older adults mastering new languages. Kato Lomb (1909–2003) was a Hungarian polyglot, translator, and interpreter who was renowned for her ability to learn and master new languages throughout her life. She spoke more than 16 languages fluently and continued to learn new ones well into her later years.

Our physical ability, can defy expectations. There are countless examples of people who have achieved incredible sporting accomplishments. Ernestine Shepherd, who at the age of 86 became the world’s oldest competitive bodybuilder and proved that physical peak performance can be achieved in later life.The human spirit’s enduring strength is exemplified by the runners, Fauja Singh tackling Marathon races at age 100, and 61 year old Steve Edwards who in 2024 completed his 1000th race and claimed a world breaking aggregate speed.

Contrary to age-old belief that entrepreneurship is a preserve of enterprising youth with its exuberance, the average age of successful startup founders is closer to 40 than 25.We should not forget the late Bloomers who find their voice or professional calling later in life. It seems the gentle hand of wisdom is an important factor and there are many notable examples of successful older entrepreneurs.

Ray Kroc was a multi-mixer milkshake machine salesman before he got involved with McDonald’s at age 52. He transformed the small fast-food chain into a global franchise, revolutionising the industry.Anna Mary Robertson Moses (Grandma Moses) began her career as a painter in her 70s after arthritis made embroidery difficult. She became a renowned American folk artist, with her paintings exhibited in major galleries. Although Reid Hoffman is known for his role in co-founding LinkedIn, his later success came as an angel investor and partner at Greylock Partners, a leading venture capital firm. Hoffman continued to find success in the tech industry after 50 through his work with numerous startups and his contributions to Silicon Valley’s growth.Another successful late-start entrepreneur was Bernard Marcus, Co-founder of The Home Depot, who started the company in his early 50s, after being fired from another home improvement retailer. The Home Depot grew to become one of the largest home improvement retailers in the world.

These entrepreneurs have shown that it’s never too late to start a successful business, and age can bring valuable experience and insight to the entrepreneurial journey.

Given that biological age ,and therefore cognitive and physical abilities, can vary a great deal from chronological age, restrictive ageist narratives can have a restrictive affect on aspiration and a serious risk to health.

Even happiness, that elusive butterfly, seems to take-off with age.One myth of older age is that to be old is to be depressed. This is debunked by many studies including those of the The National Academy of Sciences, a United States nonprofit, non-governmental organisation which reported higher levels of life satisfaction felt by people over 85 than their younger counterparts.This seems to indicate a greater understanding of what truly matters and an appreciation of living in the moment.It recognises that a 25-year-old can be a seasoned artist, a 60-year-old can still be an athlete, and an 80-year-old be a savvy entrepreneur.

The message is clear: potential knows no age.Limitations are often self imposed because of internalised negative ageist views. ‘The Age Is Just A Number’ mindset, however, provides a shift in perspective and will nurture curiosity, through continuing life learning, and a spirit of adventure.In this view, age becomes a spectrum of opportunity to be embraced and not a rigid set of steps leading to limitation and decline.

Finally, though it can be intimidating to start adopting this mindset it can aid in your physical and mental health. While many of us may be told that we’re too old for certain things, the reality is that we only have one life to live, so why not actually try and live it? Embrace life’s full potential.

The art of accidental beekeeping sleep and other things to do in lockdown

On 23rd March ,when the UK entered into a form of suspended public life, in all homes across the land, millions of us pondered first to know how and then scrambled into actions designed to survive whatever the unseen threat of Covid-19 might throw at us.At the start, I took to heart some self care tips I discovered from busy Mum and not-for-profit entrepreneur Beth Kanter. For me, the key questions became: how to ensure a supply of vital food and paper products and, how to maintain at least our current level of physical fitness and mental health.How were we going to survive what for most of us looked like being an indefinite period of staying at home?It made us look at a significant adaptation of the way we were accustomed to live everyday.

Eat well.Exercise appropriately.Sleep well

8 Tips for Nonprofits To Boost Resilience During A Pandemic

Many of us will have watched the daytime TV offerings with keep fit and cooking guru Mr Wicks, or perhaps preferred for those with longer memories ,the Green Goddess,Diana Moran.Perhaps then we turned to platforms like Zoom or Skype to keep in touch with loved ones from whom by edict we had been summarily parted.As the weeks went by, we may have looked to revive long abandoned hobbies – the long spell of warm dry weather has caused the bee populations to work the harder but more of that later- or brush up on old skills, or even taken-up new ones. Behind all of this we will have realised, I most certainly did, that a strong routine to back our resilience was essential.It became important to eat and sleep well, and to exercise appropriately.This still applies even as we face a slow return out of lockdown.We will all have learned more about ourselves and will be able to carry forward the positive aspects of our enforced isolation.

Resilience Pandemic or No

It occurred to me that for many of us over the last months life may not have changed all that much. In laterlife, often after retirement, adaptation to a different way of life has always been important health and wellbeing.It has often been thrust upon us and surprises us even when expecting it.With fewer family members, friends or work colleagues around, a greater degree of self-sufficiency is required to manage a degree of isolation.Obviously some of us are better equipped to deal with these challenges than others.What has hit me forcefully is that resilience is therefore not only required for lockdown but for always.Many older people were challenged in life before the pandemic struck and will likely live with many of the same challenges later when hopefully it has passed.Maybe the takeaway is that what we have learned to cope with through the threat of covid-19 will stand us all in good stead in the future laterlife.

Disturbed Sleep

Some breaking news comes from Kings College London about the effects of lockdown on our sleeping habits.Researchers there report that we are all experiencing a worsening of our sleep patterns with one half of the people covered by the study saying that their sleep had been more disturbed than usual.

Good refreshing sleep is one of the three key essentials mentioned in my opening comments.Sleep isn’t just a way to refresh your body and mind and prepare for the next day. As something that takes up approximately one-third of your entire life, your body and mind both take advantage of this large amount of time to help repair and restore the body to its normal functioning.

Getting the recommended amount of sleep each night is a solid start, but you also need to guarantee that the sleep you’re getting is of high quality. This will allow your brain to optimise the body’s condition to provide the greatest benefit in the long term.

Here are some body processes that your brain can more effectively initiate when you’re getting enough sleep, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

● Removal of toxins from within the body
● Reduction in the development of chronic conditions (heart disease, diabetes, depression)
● Repair of cells in the brain and body
● Improvement in memory and brain functioning
● Energy production

When you lack the appropriate amount of sleep, you’re severely limiting what your body and mind are capable of doing. Unfortunately, the importance of sleep is often understated, and many fails to recognise just how much sleep can impact your health.

Lack of restful and revitalising sleep is not a new phenomenon at any age as recent reports have pointed out.You can try some sleep tips and keep in mind my favourites:

keep a temperature you are comfortable with in your bedroom
settle down with the minimum of distractions. TV and other electronic devices should be switched-off
use bedding you feel most comfortable with

The bees have it

Ah, yes the bees I mentioned earlier. A bunch of bees has taken over my bird box in the garden adding adding accidental beekeeper to my list of lockdown interests!

But finally…

…as we continue to abide by and make the best of lockdown I leave you with a mantra which inextricably links the three key essentials to help keep you in best of health in these and all times :

eat well – exercise appropriately – sleep well.

Do tune in again next time.

5 Steps to Giving Your Spring Lawn the Care It Deserves

It is Springtime again and time to visit your garden! If you have a lawn you may find the Winter months have not been too kind and some care is needed.There maybe discolouration in parts or areas which look rather straw-like (like mine) rather than green and some indication of moss.

At this time in the UK , a first cutting will be important. The following are 5 steps to help you with that first post-winter cutting and to set you up for looking after your lawn to maintain a healthy and good-looking feature for your garden throughout the rest of the year.

How to give your spring lawn the care it deserves

Remove thatch

The first step that you have to take is to remove any lawn debris that has accumulated during the Winter.You can do this by raking. This also gets up any leaves that have fallen to the ground and died, but it also can help keep your lawn free of thatch in the coming months.

Thatch is made up of the stems and roots that didn’t complete a decomposition process. You’ll find thatch around the living grass at the top of the soil. For people who did a thorough raking job in the Autumn, the thatch buildup should not be as thick.

If you leave thatch, it can create patchy areas in your lawn because the new grass can’t push through this to the surface.

So, as soon as you see signs of new grass growth, you need to take a fan rake and remove all traces of dead grass and worm casts.

2. Set your lawn mower correctly

Your first cut should not be a close one. The blades should set so that about one third of the height of the grass will be taken off the top.This will allow for a good cover overall and avoid scalping the lawn and so exposing soil and taking or dragging out grass at root level.

3.Choose a fine day

You do not want to cut your lawn when the grass is wet. This will only damage areas where you tread heavily and the mower may tend to tear rather than cut the grass. The effect when the grass has dried out will not be tidy.So if your grass is showing growth choose a dry day particularly before you make your first cut. Also, mow at a steady pace.

4.Remove grass cuttings

Do not leave any grass cuttings on the lawn.Ideally remove these to compost. For maximum performance your mower should be cleaned after use and the blades lowered for next time, usually in about a week.

5.Re-cut the edge of the lawn

After the winter the edges of the lawn will show some damage and unwanted growth.Take a half-moon edger and use the edge of paving as a guide to redefine the area of grass or, if improving a flower border, use a plank on the edge of the lawn as a guide and to protect the grass.The edger is preferred at this time to using a strimmer. Maintenance of the edge can now easily be done with a pair of edging shears after each time the lawn is cut throughout the year.

Now you should be off to a fine start for the Spring!Please look out for further gardening tips as we go through the year.In these unprecedented times an interest in gardening however small will help both body and mind if you are careful.

Give Gardening a Go Now and Lose Stress

How to Draw Back the Curtains on Your Winter garden

In February, first thing in a UK morning ,a peak out of the window often yields to the eye a rather grey, green and otherwise colourless vista.What to do, I ask myself, no lifelong gardener- the day is bright but frosty.This time of year is a great opportunity for prepping for spring and ridding the garden of perennial weeds ,and this work will also be good for me .A great amount of scientific research suggests that Gardening isn’t just about making your house look good, although even a little curb appeal never hurts. Caring for plants can also do wonders for your own wellbeing. Even some light work in your garden means you are interacting with nature whatever the season of the year. This is so beneficial to your mood and therefore your mental health.So resist returning to the warmth of the duvet.

The truth about stress in later life and how to deal with it

message from Nungwi beach in Zanzibar,Tanzania.This is paradise for no Stress!

“It has been verified through scientific exploration that more than 80 percent of all diseases are due to stress and strain that originate in the mind and reflect on the body.”

– American Medical Association

This stat looks bad.It must be said ,though, that not all stress is the same.We will all have benefited from positive stress at some time in our lives and also suffered to some degree from negative and corrosive stress.Working with the positive stress and binning the rest is good for your mental and physical wellbeing.We need to be mindful both of the dangers and of the solutions that are available to us.There are things we can do.

When we were younger the challenges in life tended to be far different from those which we experience in older age.As we age our bodies cannot deal with these as well as they once did. This change may also come at a time when we are least prepared for life challenges previously unfamiliar to us.

Stress factors.According to the Harvard Health Watch team there are health factors which can reduce our mental ability to cope with stressful events. They report that stress may also be caused by different factors that could be more complicated than the issues you faced in your younger years. For example, losing family members, leaving a career, changing financial circumstances, or perhaps moving home, for example, may hasten on physical effects of which we are often not immediately aware. Some of these effects may include raised blood pressure, suppressed appetite, and increased and prolonged muscle tension.

The researchers at Harvard say these problems can result in signs of stress which mimic symptoms of memory loss or dementia or include appetite changes, headaches, anxiety, irritability, or trouble concentrating. They suggest we can help manage stress by

using relaxation techniques
getting involved in community activities
taking care of yourself
eating right and
getting enough sleep

Now for the good stress. At healthline, Clinical psychiatrist Dr. Michael Genovese refers to eustress which works as a positive force and is good stress causing a nerve response in our bodies from for instance the excitement of challenging and realistic goals.It gives a good feeling of wellbeing.

Some further articles on stress for information are to be found at

Stress management is more difficult as we age

Relieve stress anxiety

5 Ways older adults can reduce stress

16 Ways to relieve stress anxiety

Wishing you a good stress only day today!

10 Things that can help towards a longer and happier life

Simple Life Reunion 2057 — Gruhn creative commons

Hi Everyone!

Last time we looked at why sense of purpose in older age is so important. In today’s world, the pursuit of happiness is an ingrained concept. We’re often taught to expect our lives to be fairly happy, and we’re encouraged to do whatever it takes to achieve that. Also, we want to live long and well forever. I’m no exception. As we saw in the previous post the Okinawans know a thing or two about achieving satisfaction, happiness and meaning in life.As a people who live long, they would broadly recognise the following principles or beliefs.So without being ‘preachy’, this is my take from online sources on what we should be doing as we get older: Continue reading “10 Things that can help towards a longer and happier life”

Why sense of purpose in older age is seen as so important

The inhabitants of the Japanese island of Okinawa have long been known for their healthy lifestyle and longevity.They live longer than any other people in the world.This is largely attributed to having a sense of purpose, and therefore a reason to live, which is focused on a concept the Japanese call Ikigai which they believe to be deep seated within everyone of us. The big secret is to find it and so benefit from longer and better quality of life, by finding meaning to your life and happiness.

So do we all really have a sense of purpose in life?

Continue reading “Why sense of purpose in older age is seen as so important”

21 Things You Can Do To Look After Your Brain’s Health

the60life life skills

Hi Everyone!

It is well known that as we get older we are likely to lose some mental acuity.Also, it is common knowledge that changes in lifestyle can provide incremental benefits to both mind and body.Such lifestyle changes include: taking both regular physical and mental exercise and following a Mediterranean diet.

Perhaps you are older and you find you have more time now, with family or career commitments much reduced, and you are able to think more about yourself and your wellbeing. Although holding back the years is much like the task of the unfortunate Sisyphus of Greek mythology, who was destined to fail in keeping a stone he had to roll up a hill from rolling back down again, you can work at preventing cognitive decline. The following 21 suggestions of activities and interests may help you to look after your brain’s health. Continue reading “21 Things You Can Do To Look After Your Brain’s Health”

Why mushroom in your coffee is good for you

Hi All!

I have always enjoyed eating mushrooms. Usually, I have them gently fried with a little olive oil.So I am gratified to have further recent confirmation they are very good for you.Now this versatile edible fungus and beloved ingredient of the all-day breakfast, soup, and pizza has a coffee named after it.

Do you take mushroom in your coffee?

What I am surprised to learn is that many coffee shops in the UK are now feeding this rising trend: the mushroom latte. Continue reading “Why mushroom in your coffee is good for you”

How to keep your memory fit as you get older

How to keep your memory fit as you get older

Without taking appropriate action the avoidable debilitating effects of getting older may catch-up with the inevitable passage of time.We are often preoccupied with the physical decline in our bodies but what is possibly worse is when our mind begins to show signs of failing.Forgetfulness and becoming slower in our thinking can give rise to great upset and a feeling of isolation, even if the cause is not the result of any specific condition such as dementia. There is good news. According to The Harvard Medical School decades of research conclude that certain strategies will help protect and sharpen our brains.With some time and effort put in the brain can be strengthened by certain training just like a muscle, preventing some of age-related cognitive decline so as to keep your brain sharper.

Exercise

What is not often appreciated is that exercise can help strengthen your brain as well as keep your body strong and healthy.Short-term memory improvement is one of the main benefits noticeable in older people who have started an exercise regime and particularly one involving lots of cardiovascular work.

brain training

Use

Regular use of your brain in creative ways can avoid it deteriorating.The saying ‘use it or lose it’ applies here.

Experts at Harvard think that advanced education may help keep memory strong by getting a person into the habit of being mentally active. They say that challenging your brain with mental exercise is believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them. Many people have jobs that keep them mentally active, but pursuing a hobby or learning a new skill can function the same way. Read; join a book group; play chess or bridge; write your life story; do crossword or jigsaw puzzles; take a class; pursue music or art; design a new garden layout.That said though, anything will help – even just reading occasionally.

Diet

Although healthy eating lowers your risk of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, it’s not yet clear if that’s true for Alzheimer’s disease as well. It’s not a lost cause though. Here are 9 foods that researchers think will keep your whole body, including your brain, healthy.

The right diet can do wonders for looking after your brain and helping to prevent the onset of various neurological diseases or general deterioration. Particularly useful are fatty acids such as omega 3 which you can get from fish and supplements, vitamins such as B9 (also known as folic acid) which can be found in fruits and veg and amino acids (proteins) which you can get from meat or from supplementation – from ‘Age Slower’ by David Jones

Lifestyle

Your lifestyle can also impact on your mental health. Your sleep regime and fresh air can affect your brain, and alcohol consumption can also have a big impact.

Some easy steps to a better quality of sleep

Staying Active

In Japan, particularly in Okinawa, always keeping busy is seen as giving a sense of purpose in life and supports a concept known as Ikigai. Having something to get up in the morning to do is central to their way of life and is credited with giving the Okinawans a long life expectancy such that they tend to live much longer than those in the rest of the world’s population.What is more they enjoy enviable levels of vitality and health unthinkable for people of advanced age almost any where else in the world.

“One surprising thing you notice,living in Japan, is how active people remain after they retire .In fact, many Japanese people never really retire – they keep doing what they love for as long as their health allows”

– Ikigai – The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles

Best fitness exercises can delay or prevent illness in later life

An image of some people doing yoga exercises -dollarphotoclub credit

One of the abiding myths as we age is that illness and loss of physical ability are inevitable, and much reduced quality of life must follow.The good news is that this is simply not true.Although,when you grow older, keeping energy up, your independence intact and staying free of illnesses and pain does become more difficult.

According to the nihseniorhealth website – staying physically active and exercising regularly can produce long-term health benefits and even improve health for some abler people who already have diseases and disabilities.That’s why health experts say that older people should aim to be as active as possible
Continue reading “Best fitness exercises can delay or prevent illness in later life”

The Best of the60life in May

via dollarphotoclub - the good life — via dollarphotoclub – the good life

Nearing the end of a busy month. The following are the Best of the60life in May which you may have missed: Continue reading “The Best of the60life in May”

Why the way we breathe is so important to our health

Who says so?

It seems a great many people do. A current google search using a keyword such as “breathing” will produce many tens of millions of references, many pointing to advice and information, much of which is clear It and helpful in our daily lives. It is clearly an important subject.So why add to the many millions of words already swirling around the internet, and elsewhere in books and magazines? Some messages are so important that they cannot be reinforced in the general population too often, one such is : Breath is Life. Continue reading “Why the way we breathe is so important to our health”

The short guide to dealing with stress in later life

Boredom in retirement -that'll be the day! — Boredom in retirement -that’ll be the day!

Of course stress has no respect for age.We know it’s part of life.Its destructive nature can affect anyone at any time, and the long term effects can creep up like a shadows in the night inflicting their damage to our health, catching us unawares.The natural ability to withstand the persistent onslaught of stress is much degraded,as we grow older, but succumbing to ravages to health is not inevitable. Continue reading “The short guide to dealing with stress in later life”

Why changing some habits can benefit you in older age

How's this for a good habit? — How’s this for a good habit?

Breaking old habits of a lifetime is just what the doctor ordered if,for your health’s sake,you take for inspiration that you’re never too old to adopt new healthful habits. The rewards: In the Johns Hopkins-led Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis,which tracked more than 6,000 people ages 44 to 84 for over seven years, those who made good-for-you changes like quitting smoking, following a Mediterranean diet, getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight decreased their risk of death in the time period by 80 percent. The following changes not only keep you healthy, they can help slow down the ageing process, inside and out. Continue reading “Why changing some habits can benefit you in older age”

9 of the best websites for walking events in the UK for all ages

Regardless of the growing success of the month of May as National Walking Month, the appeal of gathering and walking in groups has risen apace in many other months of the year.This can only be to the general benefit of the now large number of people who look to walking in groups as a fun and healthy thing to do. Continue reading “9 of the best websites for walking events in the UK for all ages”

How to be physically flexible at any age

Flexibility is something we all need in our everyday lives in order to function properly and with relative ease.It provides a range of movement in a joint or joints, and muscles across joints.Without this ability, everyday activities, even simple personal ones, become more difficult to carry out. Also a person’s balance can be seriously affected leading perhaps to being prone to falls resulting in further injury.The problem is that as we age our flexibility tends to deteriorate,and also this resultant lack of function has often become worse over time because of a sedentary lifestyle.Many of us take take flexibility for granted until we begin to lose it. Part of the problem is therefore unconsciously self-inflicted.So what to do if afflicted, say, with back pain or loss of mobility? Continue reading “How to be physically flexible at any age”

5 mythbusting articles you may have missed at the60life blog about your health in later life

There are many misconceptions about getting older.One of these is that older people inevitably will suffer from significant age-related decline in health.This is what many parents and grandparents of those now in their 60s and 70s were led to believe.With a lower life expectation they also seemed to be condemned to a short retirement in ill-health before death. Society and culture did not expect any more from older people. The stereotypes were out there with ‘pipe and slippers’ often the onlyreward at the end of a working life. Nowadays so much has changed and with good reason.Apart from people wanting more out of life the realisation has surfaced that in reality something can be done to prolong an active life.

Myth 1: Trying to improve fitness in older age is pointless Continue reading “5 mythbusting articles you may have missed at the60life blog about your health in later life”

The really simple way to walk for health in later life

Happy senior couple hiking in the park (dollarphotoclub)

INTRODUCTION

The problem for many of us today is that we just do not exercise enough. This can have dire consequences as we age.

According to the Lancet medical journal,about two thirds of the adult population in the UK does not take sufficient exercise and are endangering their health.The British Heart Foundation 2015 physical activity survey revealed that only 30% of over 75s meet a reasonable physical level of activity. These are astonishing statistics,and if we don’t use our physical ability to take reasonable levels of exercise we will eventually lose it.

In the UK and the US health authorities tend to agree that we should strive to achieve 10,000 steps each day equivalent to about 5 miles.The average person in the UK reaches around 3000-4000 steps daily according to the NHS( in the US this figure is said to be around 5,200 -5,900)

There is a simple way we can individually deal with this problem of low activity, and that is by walking for health in later life. Continue reading “The really simple way to walk for health in later life”

How to Lift Your Health, Balance and Strength Using Light Weights

As we age, most people notice a range of changes in their health. One change might not seem like such a big deal, but more than one can add up to poor health long-term. For example, we might notice we are not as strong as we once were. We might discover that our balance isn’t what it used to be. As a result we may be prone to losing our balance and injuring ourselves due to slips, trips and falls. Continue reading “How to Lift Your Health, Balance and Strength Using Light Weights”

If you must spend time on the sofa do this for your health and wellbeing

sofa so good - @ dollarphotoclub — sofa so good – @ dollarphotoclub

This piece is about spending less of our waking day sitting down and using more time throughout the day improving your wellbeing and fitness. The importance of exercise at whatever age for longer life has been bandied about a lot in the media recently.It seems we are not listening.But scientists confirm exercise is the answer to keeping fit and well.
Continue reading “If you must spend time on the sofa do this for your health and wellbeing”

Why you can profit from being over age 65 if you are older active enough?

Derrick Evans, better known as "Mr. Motivator” with aerobics team, Harry Nash, Nigel Iskander, Anthony Shorter, Hi Chu Yap, Judy Hill, Mangala Harris, Green Park, London — Derrick Evans, better known as “Mr. Motivator” with aerobics team, Harry Nash, Nigel Iskander, Anthony Shorter, Hi Chu Yap, Judy Hill, Mangala Harris, Green Park, London

Calling all you older actives who follow active lifestyles and love to keep fit!

If you are over 65 and think you are able and fit enough you can enter a national competition sponsored by Ateronon to find the 2015 Older Actives Champion.There will be prizes for the the winners of nine regional heats who will go on to the national final to be held later this year.Each of these winners will receive a medal together with £500 worth of Ateronon products and £100 of Marks and Spencer vouchers. In addition to the prizes won at regional level, the 2015 Champion will receive a trophy and £1,000 worth of UK holiday vouchers. Continue reading “Why you can profit from being over age 65 if you are older active enough?”

How to harness the vast health benefits of the tomato for later life

tomato motif — by courtesy of dollarphotoclub

Almost 200 years ago, the tomato as part of the nightshade family was considered poisonous. It is therefore hard to believe that this fruit has been rehabilitated as a wonder food. Tomatoes are a rich source of vitamins A and C and folic acid. They contain a wide array of beneficial nutrients and antioxidants, including alpha-lipoic acid, lycopene. The consumption of tomatoes has been credited with beneficial health qualities including the prevention and alleviation of a number of serious health conditions including Continue reading “How to harness the vast health benefits of the tomato for later life”

How you can take charge and simply reverse ageing

Getting Older Doesn’t Mean You’re Finished!

Are you concerned with the quality of life as you age? Do any of the following resonate with your experiences?

The thought of sliding into infirmity leaves you frightened and depressed
On more than one occasion you struggled to find the words to complete a thought
You fear losing your independence and ability to take care of yourself
The thought of just fading away in loneliness and isolation is downright depressing
It seems that worrying about growing old is constantly nagging at you

You aren’t alone.

There are almost 40 million people over the age of 65 in the United States. That is nearly 13% of the population. By 2030 there will be more than 72 million older persons making up 19% of the population.

The trend is similar for European countries. It is estimated that during the period from 2013 to 2080 the percentage of the working age population will shrink, while people over 65 will account for an increasing share of the total population. Continue reading “How you can take charge and simply reverse ageing”

7 Easy Tips to help you sleep better at night

Resting - (Oksay Mark @ dollarphotoclub) — Resting – (Oksay Mark @ dollarphotoclub)

At any age lack of sleep is damaging to your health.Enjoying a restful night’s sleep is an essential prerequisite for preserving your health.If you are suffering from insomnia you are not alone. According to report of the World’s largest online sleep survey held in 2016 three quarters of people in the UK failed to wake-up refeshed.In an earlier national sleepio survey held, it was reported that almost one half of the over 60s will suffer insomnia sometime. The best way to make yourself sleep better is the natural way. Without drugs you can train yourself to sleep.Here are some quick tips for a more restful night. Continue reading “7 Easy Tips to help you sleep better at night”

Reverse the effects of inflammation in the arteries with the Mediterranean Diet

Italian food ingredients on wooden background (dollarphotoclub)

Enjoy the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet.

You may worry about inflammatory disease such as arthritis or hardening of the arteries which can cause heart problems, many cancers and even Alzheimer’s disease. It’s very important that you discuss with your doctor any treatment that’s right for you. But, the good news is that you can help prevent or reduce the symptoms of these chronic diseases by adhering Continue reading “Reverse the effects of inflammation in the arteries with the Mediterranean Diet”

Why with exercise being over 60 does not mean over the hill

According to recent a medical research study at King’s College, London carried out to determine if there is a relationship between age and physiological function, we would be advised that appropriate regular exercise taken as we grow older is beneficial to Continue reading “Why with exercise being over 60 does not mean over the hill”

7 Helpful Tips for getting the best out of the Mediterranean diet

Generally, medical health experts agree the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle provide the best ways to living a healthy and happy life. As a lifestyle it can keep you healthy from a young age to a ripe old age and help you feel, look and think the best you can be.

For the best results,the Mediterranean diet Continue reading “7 Helpful Tips for getting the best out of the Mediterranean diet”

Why leaving your chair could add five years to your life

It perhaps should no longer be necessary to remind people that physical activity is essential for health and longevity.Medical research into reducing the risk of heart disease,diabetes and cancer in older people continues to support this truth.The results of recent large studies by the Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, confirm a strong association between physical activity and Continue reading “Why leaving your chair could add five years to your life”

How to apply the 80/20 principle to gardening in a small space

vegetable garden Alix Marina @ dollarphotoclub

No space for a garden?

Over thirty years ago, Mel Bartholemew devised a system of gardening which enabled him to yield over 80 percent of his crops of vegetables and flowers from 20 per cent of the area normally required for traditional gardening methods.This gardening example (loosely applied) of Pareto’s 80/20 principle,like so many things of genius, was derived from a simple concept.Mel has continued to experiment and improve his way of gardening in a limited space using small square foot plots to the present day.

Continue reading “How to apply the 80/20 principle to gardening in a small space”

How green spaces make you feel better

potted glory — (c)to35ke75@dollarphotoclub

Green spaces provide areas where you can relax and de-stress from the turbulence of modern living, and help your physical and mental health and wellbeing.They are also good for the environment.

You don’t need a large area in which to create your own green space at home.If you have recently downsized to an apartment, where space for a garden is severely restricted, this idea may particularly appeal to you.With a little thought, you can bring a sense of the country into your own living space with some oxygenating plants in containers,and perhaps a water feature.Even a balcony or patio can be transformed into a container garden easy on the eye and the ear.If space permits you may wish to extend it into an even more environmentally-friendly area.

Your green space can serve many functions.It can provide a buffer for noise,a refuge, or simply be a place in which you can be calm and relax.

A green space can have any function that you want it to have. They can be noise buffers, recreational, a refuge or simply to relax and calm you. No matter what size your garden space, you can incorporate elements that make it your very own green space. Continue reading “How green spaces make you feel better”

Mediterranean Diet for Beginners: A Quick Start Guide to Heart Healthy Eating, Super-Charged Weight Loss and Unstoppable Energy Book Review

Introduction

The title of Gina Crawford’s most recent book says it all. For an introduction to an exciting new lifestyle you need an easy to read quick guide delivering “no fluff,no filler, and going straight to the point” as Mrs Crawford would put it. This book is just that.

Mediterranean Diet for Beginners: A Quick Start Guide to Heart Healthy Eating, Super-Charged Weight Loss and Unstoppable Energy was released in January of 2015, and reveals the “healthiest, most well respected and scientifically documented diet in the world.” Continue reading “Mediterranean Diet for Beginners: A Quick Start Guide to Heart Healthy Eating, Super-Charged Weight Loss and Unstoppable Energy Book Review”

Ease into the Mediterranean diet today

cestino di pane con verdure - dollarphotoclub — cestino di pane con verdure – dollarphotoclub

Media headlines often tell it all:

Sensible diet cuts heart attack risk within weeks (The Times)

Obesity threatens chronic ill health in older age

Dire warning of [adult] obesity as [youngsters] pile on the pounds(The Daily Mail)

but many of us still don’t respond to the headlines, or even read the rest of the article,news item,or report we maybe reading.

Despite the sheer volume of scientific evidence written today about the likely consequences of poor diet Continue reading “Ease into the Mediterranean diet today”

Focus on the public face of dementia

Much has been said lately about the scourge of dementia in all its forms.And now,just a few days ago,Sir Terry Pratchett,author of the fantasy book series Discworld, and recently often considered a public face of dementia, passed away. He had been diagnosed in 2007 with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, an estimated 850,000 people currently suffer from dementia in the UK.The government is promising a new,long term strategy focused on boosting research,improving care and raising awareness of dementia. Not before time a deep searching light is to be shone on this growing mental disease which threatens to grow into a worldwide epidemic. Continue reading “Focus on the public face of dementia”

Standing-up for your health really works

Scary headlines jostle daily in the media to attract our attention.Many do not deliver on the message and become just so much unnecessary distraction in our everyday lives.Now, where our health maybe concerned most of us will always prick-up our ears and take notice for fear of missing something of importance. Standing-up for your health is a theme that has gained traction in the last few years, but does it work? Sitting is killing us? Continue reading “Standing-up for your health really works”

When are you too old to have ambition?

Dame Joan Bakewell,the cultural broadcaster and writer once dubbed ‘the thinking man’s crumpet’ by the late Frank Muir, has suggested that elderly people would be far happier if they eschewed ambition,giving-up on ‘winning’, and lived more content with their lot. At a recent gathering at the Hay-on-Wye Festival, she also added, on the other hand, that a person in old age needed a sense of purpose when pursuing careers, caring for young family, and keeping one’s remaining friends, cease to play a crucial part in life.Old age she felt was like a ‘country’, where its inhabitants were generally excluded,depressed, and lonely.

The ‘country’ of old age

This for me this raises the age-old question : when does one reach the frontier of this awful country thus described? It is rather like measuring the proverbial piece of string.One arbitrary line, like the current official retirement age in the UK, for instance is not appropriate for the well being of all people reaching it, if strictly applied. Dame Joan believes that at the age of 81 she is reaching that frontier. For others of differing states of health, level of skills, including social, and lifestyle needs, the step into old age may be much nearer, or perhaps further away. I do like the idea, though, of conducting a later life that minimises anxiety so often the result of living with rivalry.

Where I have difficulty is defining ambition. One person’s ambition maybe to do more for others; another to write poetry or a novel, or perhaps simply just to do do something different, and have different interests from an earlier life.This kind of ambition is to be encouraged in my book.

Look for a sense of purpose

Whilst, the country of old age for many may seem a very bleak place, unless you can rest content on your laurels in the comfort of a life well lived, Dame Joan does see how this can change. Life can still be wonderful and fulfilling. With some adjustment of their goals, the elderly can still have a sense of purpose for the rest of their lives.

Old age is no longer a place of willing submissiveness

To help people with the necessary life changes, she advocates official help with the appointment of a ‘commissioner’ for the old, charged with looking after their special interests.The old now have significant political power, she says,’old age is no longer a place of willing submissiveness.’ People in later life now expect more from their later life.

What do you think?Your comments would be most welcome.

Life is such a bore so pensioners say

Life is but a bore so pensioners say

According to a recent survey carried out by the Skipton Building Society, one half of a group of retired people canvassed said that within ten months of retirement they were bored with life! Having spent most of their working lives dreaming, scheming and saving for a life in retirement they found the freedom to do whatever they wanted with their time had not given them the happiness they had hoped to have.

Retired people, it seems, feel there is a stigma attached to their new life, and they resent being termed ‘old’.

For some,the extra lie-ins and the opportunity of watching daytime television had quickly palled in appeal.No longer did they feel useful or able to rely on a structured work life to offer meaning to their everyday existence. Sometimes loneliness had replaced the comfort of camaraderie in the workplace. Also of course, for some, the cause of dissatisfaction was a shortage of disposable money to indulge themselves, or at best to maintain their standard of living on a reduced income.

Work to remove those retirement blues now

If you are like a rudderless ship, you should look to find a new structure for your life, and one which will utilise transferable skills employed prior to retirement. Of course your health may dictate what you can and cannot do but your future activities can be tailored to your abilities. There is an opportunity to learn new skills and acquire new interests.

Essentially, you need something to get out of bed for in the mornings.

I hope that you will regularly return to these pages where we will be offering solutions to help drive away the hopelessness many feel when faced with the challenges of a new life beyond work – work of another nature, paid or unpaid, may also,of course, be a part or the whole of the solution to this dilemma.

The opportunity for beneficial retirement covers a wide field…

… but offers one wherein everyone will find something that will help improve their lives. For now, I leave you with this thought : during a busy work life the successful order of things rested heavily on acts of behaviour or routines very much driven by habit, like buying a newspaper on the way to the bus stop, or cutting-up for your lunch box,simple things which you did without much thought or extra learning, but if you missed out doing them it mattered to your general wellbeing. The number of these good daily habits was large, and probably ranged from the trivial to the vital,but all together played their part in keeping your life together and moving forward with some meaning.

Develop good daily habits

In retirement,or any new life, we need to develop a new set of good daily habits some of which we may or may not have incorporated in our previous life.It is a time to sort through and retain what is useful from the past for the future.

The good habits may help us in retirement to:

eat well and exercise for health;
likewise sleep better
take on new learning, doing something each day in which we excel utilising our experience or skill;
reduce stress;
socialise, or at least make yourself known;
do things that make you feel better, this might be for instance helping someone else through a problem;
have a routine when you first wake-up

Many of these interact,and there are many others, which will be covered in detail soon in future posts on this site, and in my newsletters.

Having a happy and fulfilling laterlife is the very essence of what this site is all about.

You can read a Skipton Building Society report on aspects and attitudes relating to retirement

UK helpline for lonesome older people launched

Believing that there is a serious need in the UK for a new service to help pensioners who suffer from loneliness, Esther Ranzten of That’s Life! fame has recently launched Silver Line. In these days of potential information overload, help in making the right links to appropriate resources for a disadvantaged section of our society would seem to be great idea.

0800 4 70 80 90

Silver Line with some founder sponsors and ongoing public donations has set itself-up to act as a ‘befriending’ organisation which those in need of its services can access by telephone 24/7. Trained advisors will be on hand to provide free and confidential advice, and of course a comforting word.

0800 4 70 80 90

Of course, many older people of pension age are not lonely, in the sense that living alone they are unhappy with that condition. But for others, there will be that constant debilitating feeling of being left adrift from mainstream society.This feeling of no longer having purpose in life with no tangible contact with other people may arise from from many causes. Perhaps the sudden lack of camaraderie provided by an active and busy workplace, little social interaction from enforced immobility from accident or illness, the lost contacts as family members move or pass away.

0800 4 70 80 90

The helpline advisers will help to point callers in the right direction for resources specific to a caller’s needs. That might be locating services in a local area provided by say, ageUK or the Royal Voluntary Service which can give further advice and offer companionship.

0800 4 70 80 90

Many elderly people are not be prepared to admit they are lonely.They maybe too proud,or they may fear the prospect of inviting someone to ‘befriend’ them. Trained advisers will attempt to break down these issues,with security of the individual very much in mind.

The service of course requires public financial support, and there are opportunities to become a volunteer and an adviser to the cause. This may be just for you, if you now find you have more time to spare and would like to help people in need.

0800 4 70 80 90

It these times, it seems to me that another such help link is to be welcomed. Some may feel they are being patronised. But from the TV and press coverage, and public reaction, to the announcement of the new service, it has been generally well received.

The founder,Esther Rantzen, was successful with the child line she set-up 27 years ago which now forms part of the NSPCC.

If you can bear the jingle when you go to the Silver Line website you will find the contact telephone details if you haven’t spotted them already in this post! Do let me have your views.

Short walk to a longer healthier life

Apparently, we in Britain are some of the most inactive people in the world. One third of us cannot manage even a 30 minute walk every week.Result: 37,000 lives are lost that might otherwise be saved from premature death. Many of us succumb to diabetes and heart disease, and assorted cancers. So what to do? We can schedule 20 minutes a day for a walk , and do it! Can’t we? A good walk of this short duration can boost our natural disease killer cells, help curb inflammation within our bodies,and privent damage to our ‘energy battery cells’. I’m in. Oh, and by the way, a good daily walk can actually be, well, fun relaxing and fun. If you are up for a healthier life-style do have a look at this recent report from the Daily Mail.

A short walk of just 20 minutes could be a life changer for you. Others who say so are:

Ramblers

MacMillan Cancer Support

Green exercise from gardening is good for you

Last post-up,you were promised a follow-up to cover the benefits to health of exercise from gardening.

Well, big in the news recently is the survey carried out for the BBC’s Gardner’s World Magazine. The results of the survey have certainly and rapidly circulated around the world. Many newspapers have carried the bloomin’ good message: gardening can make you happier and more satisfied with life.

The results of the survey of 1,500 people in the UK showed that 80% of gardeners in the sample were satisfied with their lot, whereas just 67% of non-gardeners felt the same way.Furthermore, 97% of those who gardened regularly believed the green exercise they enjoyed improved their mood.

Researchers at the University of Essex believe gardening to be a great benefit in the battle against depression.Short term benefits can help over the longer term.

So there you have it. It seems that the simplicity and tranquility found in the garden,and the responsibility for care-giving to growing things that gardening engenders adds to a person’s general wellbeing.

Also remember, during a heatwave, to take it easy in the garden as little really needs to be done. Why not sit in the shade and enjoy looking at all your good work!

For two items of press coverage you can go here for blooming’ cheer and for benefits of green exercise here.

5 ways to harness the exercise habit for a better life

The exercise habit can lead to a healthier life.

Keeping physically fit is universally acknowledged as a ‘no brainer’ so far as leading a healthier lifestyle is concerned. So why do so many of us not bother, or almost as bad, like a New Year resolution vow to exercise more and regularly but fall away after after a short time?

Let us take five affordable and effective ways to exercise, first. These are:

1. Running for your life and enjoyment

2.Walking Even a mere 15 minute walk can be so beneficial

3. Swimming Acknowledged by medical people to provide excellent but not over taxing strength training

4. Cycling Age is no bar for this activity

5. Gardening. Even gentle pottering around the garden has been shown to aid balance and make for greater flexibility

The benefits of regular exercise doing one or more of the above activities will reward you with greater :

flexibility
muscle strength
balance and co-ordination
stamina

Now, the above activities can be done in short programmes to suit yourself and your physical abilities. You can go to the above resource links against each activity ( gardening will be dealt with in a later post ) for further information to help you.

And there’s the rub. In our heads most of us know what is good for us, but many of us do not persist long enough to receive the sustainable rewards. So we fall down. This is where we all need some help. After working out what we can and should do, we need to change our daily pattern of behaviour to include our chosen

activities – often, in order to receive the benefit, we may only perhaps need to exercise every other day. But it must become a regular feature in our lives. Yes, it should become a habit.

A habit has been described as: ” a regular tendency or practice.It’s something you do almost without thinking.In some cases,our habits even come to to define us as people.” S.J. Scott –77 Good Habits To Live A Better Life

Powerful stuff ! We need the habit to keep us exercising.

To acquire a good exercise habit it helps to have the support of others. We can join clubs and associations, or a group of like-minded friends. In this way we can encourage and be encouraged in what we are doing.

In a series of posts to follow, we’ll go in more depth into these activities to increase our fitness and wellness . Also we’ll look into how exercise can become an indispensable part of our lifestyle. Hope to see you next time.

Don’t let your laterlife ruin your health

Life expectancy is increasing significantly for many of us as a result of medical breakthroughs, and general improvements in living standards. Why then do many people over 60 feel they are entering an age of fear? Losing the meaning of life, they can succumb to a declining spiral resulting in greatly reduced physical and mental powers. While growing older does, of course, create challenges for us all, perhaps leading to loss of purpose and self-worth, it is not an inevitable part of the ageing process.

The seeds of a problem

These may have been sown much earlier in our lives, when our lifestyles were dictated by different pressures than now from work,family,personal ambition, fashion, or a more youthful culture. There are also poor habits and activities which we may have practised in our earlier daily lives that are inappropriate for sustaining the wellness we hope for as we grow older. Unfortunately, there are also arbitrary stages in our lives, retirement age being one of them, family leaving the home, when change is forced upon us which can affect our view of the future and ability to cope.

So what to do?

There are steps we can easily take to make daily progress towards halting the degradation of our lives, and actually going some way to improving them, raising our enjoyment and enabling us to reach greater fulfilment.This in turn will make us feel better about ourselves and better able to take on new interests and challenges if we need them.

At the heart of a revitalising process for a better and less fearful life are what may be called good behavioural practices, or habits, in our daily lives. We can either do nothing and allow the spiral of decline to claim us,or we can take positive actions. According to writer and entrepreneur, Steve Scott, daily habits are what help define us as people. He has written a book called : 77 Good Habits To Live A Better Life. Although probably written more with younger people in mind, who wish to grow in their lives in terms of work, and success, many of the Habits covered apply to all generations. They are powerful and can significantly help 60lifers improve the quality of life, particularly, in the matter of health. Some habits are ones we may have lost over the years, or may never have had. This is knowledge many of us already have but often we never put it into practice. Just a few small and easy steps introduced as part of our every day lives can transform them.

One of Steve’s easy habits which can benefit the over 60s is : Eat within 30 minutes of waking. He says, even a very light breakfast of ,say, an English muffin smeared with a little peanut butter is sufficiently nutritious to ‘kick-start’ your body for the day. A banana can also suffice. Another half-breakfast ,after an hour or so continues to give the right signals to our body’s metabolism.

If you like me, as a younger person, allowed little or no time for this habit to form because of a busy work life, you have absolutely no excuse in laterlife to find the time to keep this habit. It is never too late to improve your health, to help you reach your maximum potential.

It is not true that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!

In future posts,I will cover more easy lifestyle habits to keep – so don’t miss anything.You can sign-up for my brief emails on this page.

As inspiration to us all, Sir Bruce Forsyth, the British entertainer, recently celebrated over 70 years in show business. By all accounts he is fit and well, and continuing his career.He has recently been a co-host for the highly popular British TV show: Strictly Come Dancing . In celebrity interviews, he puts down his longevity and physical flexibility – he can still show many young’uns how to dance- to daily exercise routines carried out as soon as he wakes in the morning, and before he rises, including body stretches,hand and finger exercises, and for toes and ankles. He is clearly a man of good habit.

Go Brucie! Wishing you many more years beyond your current 85 years of age.

Before I go please let me know your comments on not letting your laterlife spoil your health.Perhaps you also have some good habits to share.

The age of fear for the over 60s?

One third of people in their 60s experience a ‘later-life’ crisis

The other day ,The Daily Mail reports, the Harrogate conference of the British Psychological Society heard from Dr Oliver Robinson, a lead researcher at The University of Greenwich, that in a survey of 282 people aged 60 or over, 32 per cent of men and 33 per cent of women said they had had a crisis since the age of 60.

At the centre of this later-life crisis for many over 60s is the big question : What is the meaning of life?

Why particularly at this time of life? Is it not stating the blindingly obvious, you may say, that as we become older we fear more, and feel more vulnerable? Illness and isolation become the enemies to be feared, and very often actually endured. There may be loss of family members and friends, or of gainful employment or occupation; physical or mental disability may restrict activity, and a break in connection with the world outside. This is said to be different from the ‘mid-life’ crisis of younger people.

The survey’s findings may perhaps not surprise. For some over 60, the figure of a third may seem rather low. What is there left to do, and where is it all going?

The questions are hugely important,so too is helping to find some answers. The experts conclude that unless the ‘triggers’ of a crisis, for example, bereavement or illness of a loved one, are properly addressed, then a spiral can often develop leading to and accelerating personal decline into physical and meant suffering.

It seems that two or more stressful life events, and the subsequent sense of loss, are likely to raise an acute awareness of mortality and frailty.

In Dr Robinson’s words: “It was important for people in their 60s to recognise the signs and for some to seek help.” It was not something to be ashamed about, either having these experiences or seeking help.”

And the Good News…Overcoming, the crisis can often make life seem even better than before.

Where to go to for help? Obvious immediate answers may be : your general medical practitioner, at first instance, or close family members and friends. In these pages ongoing, we will try to offer some regular and helpful information to help fill the knowledge gap, in what is a large and complex area to cover. If you see in the near future, on the side-bar of this page, an opportunity to sign-up for regular updates and news about what you have just been reading – Do sign-up! There is no cost, and no obligation, your details are treated as strictly confidential and will never be passed on elsewhere.

Health Disclaimer! The information provided on this site should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken based solely on the contents of this site. Readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions provided here are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the authors, but readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

You may wish to follow full reports covered in this article and related articles:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2307843/One-60s-hit-later-life-crisis-meaning-life.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

One in three over-60s are hit by a ‘later life’ crisis about the meaning of life

Keep an eye also on updates to Your Health here>>

Stand up for your health

Over recent years,there have been academic studies which have concluded that sitting down too much during each day is bad for us, and may significantly reduce our lives, perhaps by several years.

Standing too much,too, may also not be good either. What seems to be important from all these studies is regular physical movement. So if you are inclined in the day to sit a great deal for whatever reason, it is beneficial to move about say every 20 minutes,or so. Why not programme into your day, if you are stuck at home for instance; a regular cup of tea(which you get up and make yourself), or make a bed ;or perhaps potter in the garden if the weather permits; or do that small fixing job you’ve been meaning to do for a while.

Taking regular light exercise, whether at home or at work which breaks up otherwise lengthy sedentary periods during the day may help ward off long term health issues which can arise from excessive sitting. Now it is easy to read these academic reports and terrify ourselves with the long words and dire consequences described, the easy bit though seems to be a truly simple solution – we just need to get off our butts more each day.

The sooner we start the better, but it is never too late too tweek our lifestyles a little – small adjustments make a big difference according to most of the studies on the dangers of excessive sitting.

How long do you sit down on average each day? Apparently, according to the Daily Telegraph some figures show some of us in the UK spending up to 14 hours per day sitting down!

So let’s MOVE IT!

Looking at the wider opportunities for taking regular appropriate exercise, may I leave you today with a great link to exercise tips you can consider building into your lifestyle practice. For those who don’t swim there is a great section on swimming. It is never too late to learn.Let me know how you get on.Maybe you have tips to benefit others.

2 Types of physical activity to help make the most of your laterlife

How is your year going ,so far? All those resolutions you made, a distant memory? Like I am going to get myself fitter this year to reap the benefits of a fuller and more active lifestyle. I for one can confirm, it isn’t easy.But it is worthwhile.Even small, incremental, improvements to flexibility,balance and energy levels are within all our reach,and it is never too late to pick-up on what we need to do.So if, like me,you need a reminder every now and then,and some encouragement, this page is a good place to visit regularly.

There are two types of activity strongly recommended for older people: aerobic exercise, and exercise to strengthen muscles.Exercise routines using these two types of activity will help protect you in your current and laterlife.

Good aerobic exercises can be derived readily from walking,jogging and biking. Muscle strengthening exercises involve light weight resistance activity for muscles, in all areas of the body including the arms,legs,chest and abdomen. Both types should form part of a weekly quota exercising habit.It is important, however, to know your physical limitations ,and not overly sap your energy or overstrain. If you have not taken regular exercise of this nature for a while you should check out with your medical practitioner that your intended exercise plan is appropriate for you and your future health.

When starting any exercise, it is always important to gently warm-up your body with some light stretches and balance exercises, in comfortable loose clothing in a dry, warm, and ventilated room. The big question I hear you ask is: how much exercise should do? Some useful guidelines for taking aerobic and muscle strengthening exercise, depending on age and physical condition, are provided on the NHS website. So let’s get that heart pumping a little more. More information coming here soon with tips and advice on looking after yourself.Do let me know how you’re getting on and what works for you.

Towards a healthier later life : walk to live

By staying physically fit we can both extend our lifespan and age healthily.Fact. This message is the clear conclusion of an extensive study carried out by researchers at the UT Southwestern Medical Center and the Cooper Institute.

Today, there is such overwhelming medical evidence out there from many of the best research centres in the world that we can greatly improve our chances of living not only much longer, but without many of the chronic diseases that often beset people in their later life. It has been long known that adjusting our lifestyle -even a little- can be good for our health. We are advised to exercise more; reduce alcohol intake; stop smoking; and maintain a normal weight. We know it’s right. It’s just that we treat these lifestyle changes much like new Year resolutions, and frequently fail to act. What the above study report tells us is that even a little exercise – just 150 minutes a week – can make so much difference to our longevity and our quality of life.Even regular light walking as on a gentle stroll, is good.

It is never too late to improve for the long term our fitness and our lives. Although the Southwestern study reported on the beneficial effect of being physical fit in your 30s,40s,and50s when reaching 65 and over, the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, as reported on the British Medical Journal website,has produced research results which point to a benefit of an extra 6 years in people over 75 who have reduced some or all of the above risk factors causing chronic ill health. Activities seen as particularly beneficial include walking and swimming.

Over 40s can expect to live happier as they grow older

5940252_s2 — A never say die thirst for adventure

Are you time poor and in your 40s? Mortgage burden, job or career concerns,growing and demanding young family are draining your fount of well-being?

A recent Warwick University research report finds evidence to show that a typical individual’s well-being reaches its lowest ebb in middle age.From age 45 years,though,you should,all things being equal,expect to become happier as the years go by.The evidence shows this to apply to both males and females, and to populations on both sides of the Atlantic.How so?

An explanation it seems is that as we grow older our life experience tells us to count our blessings. When others of our peers are beginning to fail,ail or even die this intensifies a need to make the most of our remaining years.This is my interpretation of the view of Professor Andrew Oswald who was one of the leaders of the Warwick University research project. The research also found that older people sleep longer at night which may give them the edge over younger people who survive on less regular rest.

Christine Webber ,author of Too Young To Grow Old,found through a survey of 45 to 65 year olds that most respondents who felt happier now than when they were young claimed increasing age had given them a growing confidence.There are also clearly things we can do to help raise our happiness levels.

This time last year

We quoted from a report from the Kansas City Star:

‘Apparently, men do not get meaner, irritable and more sarcastic as they get older. In fact, among the men participating in the Study of Adult Development — the longest longitudinal study of adult life ever conducted — men seem to get happier as they get older.The study has followed two groups of men for 68 years: 268 men who graduated from Harvard University and 456 men who grew up in the urban neighborhoods of Boston.

‘Depression in men, characterized by irritability and anger (and sarcasm is a form of anger) did not increase with age, according to the study ‘,carried out at the Department of Psychiatry at Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Harvard’s medical school.’

Reverting to the Warwick project, evidence is revealed of well-being following a U-shaped curve through the life cycle, the upward end of the happiness curve picking-up from around age 45 years.

Age is Just a number?

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Life is but a bore so pensioners say

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