Drinking More Water in the Winter Can Be Especially Challenging! Especially in the colder weather, it can be difficult to drink more water. A person might look at a glass of liquid that would at another time taste refreshing, but he or she feels cold at just the thought of drinking it in the winter…
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Bullying and Our Human Need for Respect
Edited and reposted 8/3/19 My friend was anxious about an upcoming meeting with a bully. This person had bullied and intimidated her in the past, using callous insults and interruptions during their conversation. Bullying is Common at All Ages Bullying is rampant in our world but we have a human NEED for respect. We NEED…
Tips for Communicating with Aging Adults
The entire baby boomer generation will be over age 65 in about 12 years! That means that for the first time in U.S. history, our older population is expected to outnumber that of children! By 2030, at least one out of five adults will be of retirement age. So how does that affect our society?…
6 Conversation Starters for Intergenerational Communication
Edited and reposted 8/10/19 “As a young adult, I spent hours listening to my uncle describing his younger days and the 200 chickens the family raised in an urban backyard during WWII. They raised the chickens and shared eggs to help feed the neighbors.” Have you heard stories like this before? Our older population holds…
How Does Our Will to Live Affect Us?
“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” – Friederich Nietzche, German philosopher and philologist. Does the will to live keep people alive? Do people sometimes just “give up?” Attitude Matters Findings from studies of the most elderly persons and the terminally ill show that those with a stronger desire…
Benefits of Exercise – Dementia Could Be the Scariest Thing Ahead
The possibility of dementia terrifies me! I’ve lost two loved ones to Alzheimer’s and it was awful. If you’ve known someone, and you probably have, your visit with the afflicted person probably included some prayers for them AND some for you. “Dear God, please don’t let ME suffer like this!” Here’s some good news… I…
Bob Wicktora Celebrating 95 Years
Bob Wicktora is a dear friend and unstoppable inspiration. At 97, he continues to work out daily, although he says he’s “not spry” anymore. He still gets up and down from the floor daily when he works out with hand weights and resistance bands. His nickname is “Strong Man!” Happiness Keeps Bob Alive He believes…
Words Evade Me Sometimes
At 59 years old, I think I’m very good with remembering names, but I find it strange, and even interesting, how words evade me at times. And sometimes, I must admit I find it funny and even… amusing! Here’s an example: This past summer, I was enjoying our family reunion with my cousins when the…
Benefits of Exercise – Exercise Can Prevent Depression with Just One Hour Per Week!
I’ve had an encouraging surge of new students in my classes as we’re entering the fall season in Ohio. While my Houston friends are hopeful the intense heat will end soon, Ohio friends are already murmuring about the 4-letter word (S N O W) that is inevitably around the corner. In the north, you’ll also…
Importance of FUN and LAUGHTER!
If you want to age gracefully, you need laughter in your life! Yesterday I had a fun lunch with friends. Friends came over on Sunday for a picnic and it was fun. Kayaking on the lake was fun last week. But, real laughter – hold your belly, jaw aching, tears in the eyes laughter –…
Grieving For Your Former Body
Are you over 50 and grieving for your former body? A dear friend asked me, “Did you ever think about how unfair it is that we had beauty in our youth when we didn’t have the brains to go with it?” I laughed at her question at that moment, but I’ve thought about it a…
When is the Last Time You Really had FUN?
When is the last time YOU really had fun – where you felt lighthearted, excited, were laughing out loud, and feeling fully alive in the moment? A group of 12 active adults, ranging in age from 75 to 95, attended a bowling and pizza party at Main Event. This immense, sparkly, and fun entertainment center…