Archive for March, 2010
Where on Earth is the Ideal place to retire?
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If you were to ask a dozen or more individuals for advice on where is the best country to live when you retire, you will probably get a dozen different answers.
If you’ve been doing some 
travelling yourself, you will probably already have your own favorite places, but would they be a good place to retire?
You are probably over 50 so I’m sure many of you like me have thought about the possibility of living either full or part time in another country when you retire. Like me you may have even gone deeper and done some research into what various places have to offer. One thing for sure is over the past 5 or 6 years since I started looking at options the recommended top places to retire have changed more than once. These changing stats can often leave you none the wiser by the time you’re actually ready and able to do something about it, so you really need to do a bit of research for yourself.
Obviously your financial situation will have a bearing on where you can even afford to live and the type lifestyle that you can have. If money is no object then the world is your oyster. It’s more about deciding what you actually want your life to be about, and where you will be able to live that type of lifestyle. Even if you are fortunate enough to have adequate funds you still have other considerations such as family and friends. How often would you get to see them? Even if finances may not be a problem for you; it could be for others in your life, meaning that you may not get to see the ones you love visit you as often as you would like! Probably most retirees expect that they will have lots of visitors if they move to the sun. Would being in a country where they speak a different language be a problem for you? Are you prepared to attempt to learn the native language? Is it important to have an ex pats community in the area you are interested in living?
For most people one of the biggest attractions of going to live in another country is the fact that they can have a lower cost of living which is important when you are on a fixed income. Many want to maintain a good lifestyle or even improve their lifestyle while living on a pension. While many retirees may have a struggle to make ends meet at home they may live very well elsewhere.
What is your criteria when considering living somewhere else? My brother has lived in Florida for a number of years and has now retired. He travelled extensively during his working years giving him the opportunity to experience many countries. One of his criteria when considering moving to another place is that it has a major airport. For many it’s important to know that if they need to visit loved in ones in a hurry they do have easy access to flights. This usually means being close to a major city. Read More→
Seniors Playing the Casino Slots
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When you’re over 50, retired or not spending a few hours at the casino is becoming more and more of a popular way for seniors to find entertainment. Besides the excitement from the potential of winning there are other aspects which draw seniors to the casinos. If you have ever walked into a casino in the middle of the day you would be surprised at just how many seniors are playing the slots.
The casino is a place that many seniors feel comfortable going alone at night. Many go with a spouse or friends but whichever way; it’s a place where they don’t feel alone. Many single seniors find being at home on their own very depressing; an outing to casino is the answer for numerous seniors. It’s one place where they feel they can go and forget their problems. While they may be able to forget their problems at home and in their life for a while they could well be creating other problems such as a gambling addiction.
Most seniors are smart gamblers, they set aside an amount that they can afford to lose and when that money is gone they will call it quits and leave. Others get deeper and deeper into debt; always believing
that they will win the jackpot and get all their money back and more. Unfortunately, many people have a problem quitting when they are ahead and that applies to gambling as well as other areas of our lives.
There are a number of perks when going to casino, besides being entertaining and fun it can be a lively place to hang-out plus players can get meals at reasonable prices. Plus players can acquire points by using a membership card. Also there is the attraction of the number of large prize drawers held at casinos. Read More→
Thinking of Playing Bridge?
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The game of bridge has been played for over a hundred years. There are thousands of people from all walks of life that get together to play bridge on a regular basis. Playing bridge is a great way to make new friends and can definitely improve your social life.
Playing a card game like Bridge is also stimulation for the brain; it’s an excellent form of brain fitness especially as we age. Although it is a complex game once learned those that play become
hooked. Bridge is a game that is also attracting a younger element. As a matter of fact my cousin’s two teenage children were participating in a bridge tournament in Las Vegas not too long ago.
Bridge is derived from the game of whist, which was very popular when I was a child growing up in the UK. It was very common to see whist drives advertised in various halls, and they were very well attended.
A few of my friends play Bridge on a regular basis. They have formed a Bridge group and take it in turns to go to each other’s homes where they have dinner together, which is provided by the host of the evening, and then they spend a few hours playing Bridge. It’s a very pleasant way to spend an evening with friends. For those that are retired and beginning a new lifestyle bridge is an excellent way to form new friendships with other retirees. Read More→
Red Light Therapy for Aging Skin
Posted by: | CommentsRed Light Therapy for Anti Aging and Blue Light for Acne
ANSR Beam red and blue light therapy in one device
By the time we reach 50 and over most of us have already been searching for anti aging therapies to help us achieve a more youthful look. During the search for better skin some individuals have been fortunate enough to have discovered and used red light therapy for their aging skin while others are still a bit dubious and unaware of the benefits that red and blue light therapy offers.
Of course like many other things about us our skin changes as we age. We tend to get more blemishes, age spots and rosacea, not to mention the dreaded wrinkles. More recently many people have discovered that red and blue light therapy has become the answer to their skin problems. Both red and blue light therapy have a lot of benefits. Aging skin is one of the main reasons that more mature people are interested in knowing more about light therapy. Especially as one of the functions of red light therapy is to stimulate collagen production considering that it’s the loss of collagen that creates fine lines and wrinkles as we age. Red light therapy also assists with enhancing your skins cellular action as well as helping fade age spots. and hyper pigmentation.
Of course you want to stay looking and feeling as young as possible for as long as possible. So when you look into the mirror and you notice a few more fine lines, age spots or some type of skin blemish that you didn’t notice before you probably want to stop it in its tracks before it gets any worse. Maybe others don’t even notice that you have an extra little wrinkle here and a fine line there but you do! Any change no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to others could be a big deal to you. Our skin is aging all over our body but changes are particularly evident in the face.
Red Light Therapy For Anti Aging
DPL Light Therapy Device
There are lots of products available on the market so much so that it can be really confusing to attempt to find the right one for you. When you first started to notice those fine lines and wrinkle’s you probably began right then trying out various products looking for a solution to your aging skin and ways to restore a more youthful appearance. A healthy lifestyle always helps, healthy eating, exercise fresh air, adequate sleep and no smoking will make a big difference to your skin but a bit of extra help is probably required too. More and more people are opting for natural remedies they don’t want to take any more risks with their health by consume anymore synthetic or harsh products internally or externally.
Striving for good clear skin is a lifelong challenge for so many of us. Acne is a huge problem for a staggering number of people regardless of age. Bacteria on the skin is one of the primary contributors of acne. Acne is especially challenging for the young. Many have found it difficult to find an effective acne treatment. Even as they get older many people are still plagued with acne on their face, backs and other areas. This is where blue light therapy cab assist as it kills the bacteria that is causing the acne.
We all have things about ourselves that we would like to change and I am no exception. I was always very fortunate in having clear skin, that is until I reached my 50’s. As a teen I didn’t suffer with acne skin, yes, I got the odd spot once in a while but that was all. So when I reached my 50s and found that I was starting to get skin blemishes and was starting to pay for the sun tanning in my younger years with sun damage it was a bit of a surprise. Probably like most of you I started checking into what types of treatment and remedies that are available for aging skin. It was during my search that I was introduced to phototherapy light treatment. I discovered that many people are seeing positive results from using this treatment. Using red light therapy for anti aging and blue light therapy for acne the reported results on improved skin texture and tone appear to be very favorable.
Red light therapy anti aging skin .
Phototherapy is still relatively unknown to a lot of people but it is one of the fastest growing areas in the skin care industry. It has been used in clinical setting for more than a decade and is showing to be a safe and effective treatment for acne and other skin problems. Scientists from around the world are recognizing the benefits of phototherapy for skin healing. Read More→
The Top Cities to Visit in Europe
Posted by: | CommentsMaybe you have been confronted with the question “What’s the best city to visit in Europe?” or maybe it’s something you are asking for yourself. Personally, I have heard this same question numerous times, that’s why I have compiled this list of top cities in Europe that you might want to visit during your trip or vacation to Europe. When you retire this is something to add to your lists of to do’s, especially if you can take the extra time to really explore Europe and what it has to offer those of any age.
1) London, England
London is popular amongst tourists who don’t fancy being in a country where they don’t know the language. If you are on a budget, want to economize a bit and you don’t have money to travel beyond 
England, then a tour of London won’t disappoint. If you like strong theater and ale, a stop over in London is worth every penny. If you want to enjoy London, it’s best to visit from May all the way through October. Don’t forget to visit the British Museum, Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Palace. It’s pretty easy to get around with the London underground system. Most of the major tourist sites have a station close by. It’s also worth getting a guide book because many of the tourist spots are quite close together and you want to see as much as you can while there. If you can make it to the changing of the Guard it’s a wonderful photo opportunity. There are so many wonderful things to experience in the London area.
2) Amsterdam, Holland
If you love the “Dutch Masters”, then don’t forget to visit Amsterdam. Amsterdam is also popular among cyclists because of its rather flat surface. If you require chemical assistance, Amsterdam has free spirits for you.
The city is the cultural and financial capital of the Netherlands. It has a variety of interesting places to visit. Unfortunately, it can rain in Amsterdam at any time, but this should not stop you from visiting this wonderful city. If you like the sun, then travel in July and August during the peak summer season. Don’t forget to eat at an Indonesian rijsttafel. You can also stroll down the Historical canals up to the Royal Palace, Rijksmuseum. You may want to see the Anne Frank House and maybe you will also want to visit the Van Gogh Museum. Amsterdam also has its red-light district. Amsterdam attracts more than 4 million tourists every year. Read More→
Stop Your Hair Loss Now!
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Regardless of age to find yourself with thinning hair or hair loss of any type is a blow to your self esteem, especially when we’ve always been told that our hair is our Crowning Glory. Nothing can ever really replace your own natural hair. Fortunately, today there are options to prevent and in some cases stop your hair loss.
HairMax LaserComb
Hair restoration is something that has always seemed elusive except if you have lots of cash and are prepared to have a hair transplant or go to an expensive hair laser clinic. Now there are options that are available and more affordable for those that seriously want to stop hair loss and are willing to commit to it. The topic of thinning hair and hair loss is of great concern to many of us especially over 50 as we see more evidence of thinning hair as we age. ”
Years ago people had to accept the fact that there really wasn’t much hope to stop hair loss, if you had male balding there was nothing you could do about it. As a man it was expected that some degree of hair-loss would happen at some time in your life. If you ever wanted to be seen with hair again it meant a wig or toupee.
Women are becoming more bothered by thinning hair and also want help to regrow their hair. Products like Rogaine for women as well as Rogaine for men are growing on popularity. ROGAINE is the first topical brand that has been approved by the FDA to regrow hair. Most of the user reviews on these products are very positive, but like any product it’s not for everyone. Some people give up before they give the product a fair chance and others just don’t find the product suitable for them. many people would rather opt for natural products and remedies which is totally understandable.
There is lots of evidence showing that the amount of people looking for alternative treatments to the harsher chemical products is always on the rise and if you can find a natural remedy to your hair loss why wouldn’t you? There are remedies that are very cost effective and easily attainable often you will find what you need is already in your own kitchen. Two options worth checking are the Hair Loss Black Book and The Hair Loss Remedy Report For Women.
Hair transplants first became available for the rich and famous.
The first time I can recall hearing about hair transplants was when Elton John had his hair transplant surgery about 30 years ago. It was big news back in the UK at that time. Just like so many other men he had lost a lot of his hair by the time he was 30 years old. He not only wanted to stop hair loss but to get it back. Another celebrity had shared that he had got a hair transplant which led Elton John to pursue this option and he’s had hair ever since.
Discovering ways to stop hair loss has come a long way since then.
Even so we all know someone that would love to reverse the effects of hair loss, maybe even you personally. Men usually either have the male pattern hair loss or their hair line will recede. Women usually retain their hairline but as we lose up to 150 hairs a day, this fallen hair is often replaced with thinner hair creating an overall thinning. But like men, many women find the top of their head and crown are the areas where the hair is notably thinner.
Female hair loss is a big problem too.
A woman’s hair loss can begin at any age even as young as in their teens. It affects 40% of women and is often hereditary. There are a number of things that can cause a woman’s hair thinning or hair loss, especially anything that can create hormonal imbalance such as menopause or child birth etc. The good news is that female hair loss is now being taken seriously. over the last decade laser hair therapy has helped thousands of women in Europe and the US to stop hair loss and even regrow their hair. Read More→
How to Revive your Relationship in Retirement.
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Have you noticed those cute elderly couples that obviously adore each other? You know the ones that you ask yourself ‘How did they get so lucky”. They will be together for the rest of their lives. They appear to really care for each other. They watch out for each other, they hold hands while they’re out walking or crossing the road. Nothing seems too much trouble for their spouse, and they don’t huff and puff and pull faces while they are doing it. They are genuinely happy to be there for each other and have no embarrassment about showing their affection for each other.
The question is; have they always been like this? Some may have, especially if they have no children but generally I would think that they have gone through the relationship ups and downs
that most have during their life together. Many have experienced periods where relationships may have been distanced by everyday life obligations and challenges of career and family.
Do you recall those early years in your relationship where you would do almost anything for your new love? When you first meet you spend time getting to know each other. You ask questions and listen. You want to know what the other person likes and dislikes and what they want to do. You make time for them; you want to be with them as much as possible. You want them to be happy with you.
The romance stage often leads to marriage, family, and more responsibilities, often leading to less time for your relationship with your spouse, and less romance or maybe none at all. Is it any wonder that the distance grows in many of these relationships? If not recognized and dealt with this can lead to the relationship breakdown and often divorce.
If you can survive those years of work, family and growing responsibility when retirement does come around it is a new opportunity to get to know each other all over again. The fact that as we age many people do mellow could be another reason why many seniors can have such great relationships in retirement. Read More→
Secrets to a Happy Retirement
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A happy Retirement is something that we all aspire to. With the right attitude and a bit of careful planning, retirement can be a wonderful time of life. There is absolutely no reason that anyone should be bored or lonely.
Think about it, there’s lots of time to spend with grandchildren, time to catch up with old friends and family members, not to mention all those little or maybe big chores you’ve been adding to 
your to do list. If you’re someone that’s not happy unless you are working hard or taking on some real challenge then maybe you want to tackle a larger project like giving your home a real face-lift to turn it into the perfect living space for you.
The extra time in retirement can be a gardener’s delight with time for that green house you always wanted. Now you can grow your own organic produce to help with your healthy eating plan. Gardening can offer you great satisfaction and the opportunity to use your creativity; especially in the area of landscaping. You might consider adding that extra special touch by adding a lovely water feature in a location where you are able to appreciate it from your living space.
Maybe it’s a big trip that you want to take; or even to be a snow bird spending a few months or more down south during the winter months. Maybe you’ve got your eye on a nice ocean front condo in Mexico where you plan to spend your retirement years. There are so many options available once you have retired especially if you don’t have to worry about finances. Read More→
Vacationing with your Pet
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For many people, a vacation is more fun and enjoyable with their pets in tow, since they can be great companions. Often times, they will make you feel secure along the way and will bring some smiles, even during unexpected moments. In this light, it is also necessary for you to keep them safe during the journey and your stay-wherever it may be. Since you will be visiting new places- some far from your home- you need to take special care of your pets. You should consider what they will need and the things that will make them more comfortable. This is important since pets will often be scared in new surroundings and may feel insecure. A new place means a new experience, so you have to keep your pets in mind.
If you are going to stay in a hotel ask them about their rules or policies regarding pets in the building. There are some hotels that only allow pets up to the weight of 25 kg, so it’s good to check on this. You may have to pay extra if your pet weighs more, but this rarely happens since most of hotels just let your pets be, as long that they are well behaved and don’t cause any damage. There are also hotels which only let those pets in that are ‘registered,’ so you want to have this taken care of from the beginning of your trip. It will be a really disappointing and stressful experience if you get to your destination and hotel, but cannot find accommodation because they won’t take your pet. Some hotels may have extra services for your pets; some even have spas especially for dogs. Never try to hide your pets while checking in, they need to know, this way the hotel will be able to give you enough room for your pets and maybe supply you with grooming kits or any other extras that they have for pets if available.
Keep in mind that it is a not a good idea to leave your pets in the hotel room alone. They will often feel abandoned, can experience anxiety & panic, and feel insecure when owners leave them behind in unknown surroundings. It’s possible they may try to break free, which could lead to accidents. Sometimes people leave their cats or dogs in the hotel room alone with the windows open; you can probably guess what may happen then. To avoid any tragic events, you should either take your pet with you or make other arrangements for your precious pets. You may find a nearby pet care service, this way your pet will feel comfortable and safe. Read More→
Keep Your Brain Active
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Most of us know the saying “if you don’t use it you lose it”. This certainly applies to your brain so it’s really important especially as we age that we keep an active mind. When we were younger attending school and university then going into the workplace, and bringing up children our brains automatically kept active. When we leave the workplace and maybe spend a lot more time on our own and don’t really have to think about too much it’s easy to let your brain rest to the point it can almost become stagnant.
There’s a tremendous amount of talk about dementia and Alzheimer’s and like anything else that causes ill health and discomfort we want to do our very best to not be affected by these diseases. 
Most of us tend to think that dementia will only affect the elderly when in fact it can affect people in their 40s. It’s just as important to exercise our minds as it is body.
Staying alert is extremely important especially for those that drive. We all want to keep our independence for as long as we possibly can. Driving a car is a big responsibility and a major source of independence for many of us. One that we never want to give up. If you happen to live in an area with an excellent public transport system giving up your vehicle may not be as big a sacrifice. For those living in more rural areas with little or no public transport that totally rely on driving themselves where they need to go it would be very difficult. Read More→
