4 Important Tips on Pain Relief from Working at a Desk

If you work at a desk all day, then you are probably well aware of all the aches and pains that can come as a result. As a writer, I sit most of the day, as well as have had some back issues for a while now. So, I wanted to learn as much as I could about what I could do to help relieve some of that pain.

What I am about to share with you are tips that I have not only found, but also apply to my workday on a consistent basis. If I don’t, I can feel it by the end of the day, which leads to a bad start the next day.

First, let’s talk about the pain and the areas that are affected by working at a computer all day. If you work on a laptop like me, it can be even more difficult, if precautions are taken.

The Pains

As I mentioned, I have had problems with my back for a while now, and sitting all day aggravates it more than most things I do. Even if you have an amazing back pain remedy, it’s best to avoid the damage that is being done to begin with. After a while, the remedies will become less effective, so protect your back as much as you can.

Back pain can also bring on compensatory pains, such as hip and leg. When our backs hurt, we compensate for that in how we sit, stand, and walk, which can lead to injuring other body parts, as it’s not our natural way of sitting or walking.

In addition to those pains, we also have to protect our neck, wrists, and eyes. All of these can be strained if we aren’t sitting properly, with the right tools and equipment.

1. Ergonomics to the Rescue

Ergonomics is the design of equipment and furniture so it fits our body, for optimum comfort. If we sit in a chair that our body is trying to contour to, rather than it fitting our body, it leads to pain and injury. Some ergonomic items available are:

• Lumbar Chairs, to support the back
• Wrist Pads, to prevent Carpal Tunnel
• Laptop Docking System, to eliminate the stress of working on a laptop
• Adjustable Monitors, to bring the monitor to eye level and reduce strain on the neck and eyes

Laptops are especially difficult to work at all day, if you don’t use the appropriate tools. According to Dr. Tamara James, of Duke, there are several options such as a docking device for the laptop, which requires an external keyboard and monitor.

You could also use a device that props the laptop up on an angle that would relieve neck, eye, and even wrist strain, and would not require the external components.

However, the best investment you can make would be a good quality lumbar chair. Make sure that it fits right, with your feet resting comfortably on the floor, the lumbar curve resting in the small of your back, and that it’s rolled right up to the desk so you don’t have to lean forward.

2. Take Breaks

Taking breaks throughout the day is very important, both physically and mentally. Get up and walk around during these breaks, grab a protein snack and stretch. I have taken the dog for a walk quite often during my breaks, so I don’t have that interruption when I am working.

If you have to, schedule the breaks, with an alarm set so you don’t work right through them. It’s difficult sometimes to break away when I’m in a creative flow, but it’s necessary.

3. Stretch It Out

While you are at the desk, do some slight stretching of the back, legs, arms, and neck. This helps to keep them relaxed and not tighten up while sitting so long. We all pause for a few seconds between thoughts, which is a good time to do a little stretch, starting with the neck, all the way down to the feet.

4. Drink Plenty of Water

Dehydration can lead to muscle spasms and pain, as well as fatigue. So, keep a bottle of water at your desk at all times, and drink from it often. Fill it up during your breaks, and keep drinking throughout the day.

If you have ever had a good massage, you know that they recommend drinking plenty of water afterward to avoid cramping up. This is because it helps to flush out the toxins in your system, which can lead to muscle pain.

I can definitely tell the difference on the days when I don’t drink enough water. It’s recommended that you drink at least 8 8oz glasses of water each day. If you currently don’t drink water, that amount can be overwhelming at first. I suggest you work your way up to that much, until you can tolerate it.

Remember, that’s water…not caffeinated beverages, which can actually dehydrate you more. Think of your body as a garden, which needs both nutrients and water to flourish. In fact William Shakespeare once said:

“Our bodies are our gardens – our wills are our gardeners.”

Work it in slowly if necessary, but you will see great results once you are up to that much water a day.

In Closing

Working at a desk can be painful for anyone. And, if we don’t take the necessary steps to prevent it, we could be facing a lifetime of unnecessary pain. I hope that I have been able to share some information that you can use to help relieve some of the pain caused from sitting at a desk all day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jason Munroe is a freelance writer who is currently working with a Sacramento Chiropractor on a series of articles on the importance of ergonomics. He resides in California with his family.

Shirley Price Author

If you’re over 50 years of age you will probably find that it’s become more of a problem to maintain or lose weight than it used to be.  As a matter of fact you will begin to notice so many changes. Sometimes you don’t know where to begin to try to stay youthful for as long as possible. Your over 50s fitness level is extremely important if you want to stay active and get the most out of life.

It is so easy to forget about taking care of yourself and to not make yourself a priority when taking care of you should be the number one focus at the top of your list. Is procrastination a  problem for you? Do you keep promising yourself to do better with your health and fitness but never get around to it?  I can be a real procrastinator and other times once I make up my mind I can be so focused on what I am doing. There are times when I am on track with healthy eating and a bit exercise, and yet when something changes in my daily routine that takes me away from my environment I lose my momentum and find it really hard to get going again.  Whether it’s going on vacation or for personal family reasons that means being away for more than a couple of days I just totally fall off the wagon. My over 50s fitness plans goes out the window.

Over 50s fitness

Finding ways to follow an over 50s fitness plan and keep up the good work along with managing life’s challenges and changes can be difficult. I always vow to get back on track as soon as I return home and into my normal routine but most often it can take me weeks or even a couple of months before I can get back into the right mind frame and on track again. It’s amazing how much damage you can do in a short period of time when not eating the right foods or exercising. However, the good news is that once you get back on track you can also do a lot of good in the short time. I just wish I could continue to eat healthy and have some form of exercise no matter where I am and not get so easily tempted away and distracted.

Fit Over 50

A perfect example for me is just recently I spent three weeks in Florida with my brother and his wife. After going through a challenging and stressful time with the illness and recent death of my mother which totally took me off track for some time, (actually I hadn’t got back to taking care of me) I felt I really wanted to take some time away in a warm climate to recharge my batteries. If like me you come from an area where this winter seems to be never ending, some time away in a hot sunny climate is very appealing. I did enjoy my time away very much but I also found the heat challenging; partly because I was not used to it but also because I felt so out of shape. While I was away I swore to myself that I will not go away again until I am in a lot better shape. We did a lot of stuff but there were things that I either found difficult, tiring or didn’t do at all. So I am now very serious about working on me and have got into the right frame of mind and already doing so much better.  I also know that I won’t be having any more vacations until I do feel a lot better. The next one I have I want to be able to really enjoy and make the most of it. This is why I want to share this article so that you can think about how much more you could enjoy your life.

For those of us that have not maintained an optimal fitness level in our lives and now see the importance of over 50s fitness; it’s time to wake up and do something about it! If you give in to the aging process without fighting back you can miss out on a lot of life’s pleasures. You may be sorry you didn’t make the effort.

As we age not only does everything start to sag but you also lose some of your strength. Maintaining or rebuilding strength is possible with weight training. The good thing is that you don’t have to join a gym to do this. If you find gyms intimidating weight training is something you can do at home and doesn’t take a long time. If you spend 15 minutes each time with a good DVD instructing you on the right way to weight train you could see a difference quite quickly even in a matter of weeks.

Other additions to a good all around fitness program for the over 50s is yoga, walking, dance, and Tai Chi. If you have a tread mill or an exercise bike at home this is also great for cardio. When I’m on track I use my recumbent bike at home, besides the exercise value I find it really helps my knees as I have developed some arthritis in my knee. Whatever you do find something that you enjoy so that exercise and fitness over 50 won’t seem like such a chore. Keep in mind the alternative if you don’t exercise. Walking with a cane or walker much sooner than is really necessary as you get older could be the alternative or worse.

Many find a gym pass the answer to their over 50 fitness regime but for those that have never been to a gym before it can seem a bit intimidating, but you may want to consider the gyms at community centers. They have fitness programs for seniors whether you like aerobics, stretch classes, dance classes whatever; you will probably find something to suit your needs. It’s also a great way to meet new people. A cousin of mine has met a great group of ladies at her aqua fit classes. Also consider dancing as it’s more than just exercise, where else can you meet new people, have fun, enjoy the music, interact socially and get fit all in one place. Dance can fill all the requirements of body, mind and spirit.
The important this is that you do something. Find activities that you enjoy and change them around a bit to keep things interesting.

For fitness in your 50s it’s recommended that you do 30 minutes twice a week with weight training, and for cardio 20-40 minutes preferably 4-6 times a week. Once you reach your 60’s you may benefit more from doing 3 days weekly of each weight training and cardio for a similar amount of time. Even though you may be more prone to arthritis and other issues that cause aches and pains it’s important not to quit on the exercise as long as you doctor tells you it’s safe to do so.  Aging is not a time to give up but a time to get moving!

Seniors life insurance

Are over 50 and having a hard time getting a life insurance plan? I can imagine the difficulties you experience in securing one for yourself. A lot of insurance companies are very particular about the current state of your health and will ask you to go through a medical check up before anything else. This is because of the fact the people’s health tend to start deteriorating once they reach the age of 50, which is a huge factor that insurance companies consider when you apply for a conventional life insurance plan.

Don’t fret because there is actually a solution to this problem. You can apply for an over 50 life insurance plan and even get a guarantee that you will be accepted. This insurance plan is especially available for retirees or seniors and is designed to meet their needs. Why do you need to get a life insurance plan in the first place? If you have a life insurance policy, you will be taking care of the finances of your family when you are no longer with them. You take away the cost of funeral expenses from your children or grandchildren as well as clear your debts.

First thing to do when looking for you over 50 life insurance plan is to go online and make a quick search. Make a shortlist of about two to three companies and ask them for quotes. The life insurance quotes usually come for free and you only need to provide them with very little information. It may not always be the most accurate quotes but you will get an idea of the market rates. It may be worth talking to an insurance agent too since they know the best plans for you, but their rates may be a little higher. Once you have all information from your online research and insurance agent, you will have the ability to identify which life insurance plan will work best with your budget.

Now how do you get better rates for your life insurance premiums? If you think you are still very healthy, prove it to your insurance company. Go through the medical exam so they can see how fit you still are and you will most probably get a discount. You will also get some discounts if you are a non-smoker. When you shop for life insurance for people aged 50 plus, you will really get

expensive rates compared to the premiums you used to pay when you were younger so don’t expect a very huge discount.

The guaranteed acceptance life insurance is also available for seniors but expect to pay a high premium for this. This plan covers you for the rest of your life without you having to go through a medical checkup. However, your family will only get the full benefit if you leave them because of an accident within two years after purchasing the plan. Your survivors will only get the limited amount if you pass away within two years out of natural causes.

Take time to review what life insurance plan will be the best for you and your family.

Healthy Fruits

Retirement does not necessarily mean retiring from what you used to do. The challenge for the senior years is staying fit and healthy to continue engaging in preferred activities and interests.

Health concerns are not only true for those over 50 but for everyone as well. In fact, the single most common cause of bankruptcy today is getting sick. Onset of a disease does not only mean robbing you of your income because you cannot work but also means tons of bills and expensive medication.

Staying in shape is important at any age and keeping a healthy lifestyle becomes more important as the body ages and you become older.

Contrary to the popular notion, you do not need to have a fancy gym membership to lead a healthy lifestyle. Looking into your daily routine and enhancing it with some healthy practices, life over 50 will certainly prove to be productive and fulfilling. Here’s how:Exercise.  Walk, swim and dance – these simple activities are not expensive and surely activities that you can manage. Anything that prevents you from being on the couch for the majority of the day is great way to help cardiovascular endurance, improve your flexibility, increase your muscle strength, improve your balance and reduce risk of diseases brought about by old age – such as osteoporosis.

Eat a well balanced diet. You have heard this before and you will continue encounter this in all health tips. No amount of exercise and vitamin supplements will keep you healthy if you take for granted a well balanced diet.

Stay Hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water.  It cleanses your body (minimize possibilities kidney stones) and helps your heart in functioning well. Also, you will look young and active with a

Seniors exercise together

natural glow on your face.

See your doctor and dentist – regularly. Most of those over the age of 50 have started experiencing some health problems but there are those who are stubborn and refuse to go to their physicians and dentist. You should visit and consult these professionals’ help regularly and try to implement all the suggestions and precautions given. You need to admit as a senior, your body isn’t as tolerant and enduring as you were in your teenage years.

Be happy. Loneliness and low self-worth may be prevalent for some of those in their retirement age.  You need to remind yourself that many did not get to see life beyond 50s. Looking back sadly at what you did before will not change things – knowing what to do with the years ahead is a better perspective. Stay connected with friends and family, and be contented with what you have.

Keep Busy. Keeping busy will stop you from getting bored as well as help with staying health both physically and mentally.  Whether you like to putter in the garden or look after the grandkids both will bring you some satisfaction which is really important. When you are bored you tend to dwell on the what if’s and the if only…

Help others. There are many ways that we can help others. You can become a volunteer at something that interests you where you can contribute to others. You can help out a neighbor or find someone elderly in your neighborhood that you can visit. It will not only help them but you too!

Make New Friends.  Even if you enjoy your own company it’s not healthy to be alone all of the time. We were not meant to be alone so be sure to stay in touch with old friends and meet new people that will hopefully become new friends. Again there are a number of ways to do this and sometimes you have to put yourself out of your comfort zone a bit. A great place to meet new people is at your local community/senior center.  Joining classes or groups for activities, volunteering and other things that get you off the couch could put you in touch with a new friend.

Find and interest or hobby.  When you find something that you enjoy doing it’s amazing how you can get lost in it and before you know it hours have passed by.  When you lose track of time doing something it is a good sign that it’s something that you really like to do. When you do something that is a chore often time seems to drag.  There are so may choices today for indoor and outdoor activities, some you can do alone and others you need a partner for.  Find what’s right for you.

Keep on Learning. Things are always changing and there is always lots of interesting new things to learn. Don’t become boring by not staying in touch with what’s going on. Lots of seniors are taking to the internet if you haven’t done so yet consider it. Don’t let it stop you going out or become a substitute for connecting with real people use it as a place to find information and to stay in contact with people that you cannot meet up with. There are classes available for seniors to learn more about using the internet.

Staying healthy as seniors is not that hard – follow some simple routines which can be easily included in your daily life without much effort. Most likely you know them already but now is the time to get started.  Remember health is not just about physical health it is also about emotional and mental health too! Keeping these health tips is your overall insurance policy against any future boredom and lonliness. You will be glad you did.

By Shirley Price

Holiday festivities whether at home or away usually mean extra food, drinks and treats. And as much as we are determined not to gain weight during those times most of us give in to the

Holiday entertaining

temptations. Some times it’s just being away from your normal surroundings and having healthy food at hand that can be difficult.  when you are in someone else’s home that may not be into eating in a healthy way it is more difficult to prepare just for yourself.

How much damage can you do? Well it depends on some of your choices and how long you celebrate for. It also makes a difference how you prepare yourself and what changes you make in advance to allow for those extra treats. It is possible to not gain any weight if you’re careful and serious about what you want.

A good place to start is making a list of the events that you plan to go attend.  Once you know that you’ll have a good idea of what type of temptations will be there.  If you know you are going to an event that is going to cost you a lot of calories it’s definitely a good idea to cut back during the day by having small healthy meals in preparation for the event so that you can indulge a bit without paying for it later.

One good thing about cocktail parties is that you mostly stand around and chat to people often with a drink in one hand which makes it pretty difficult to hold a plate and eat at the same time as chatting. This is one way to keep things under control and make sure you don’t over indulge. Talking with your mouth full or juggling plate, glass and trying to eat food at the same time can be undignified and make it not worth the hassle, so keep up the talking and save your calories for another time. From my experience I eat or should I say nibble less at a cocktail party than almost any other time.  

Healthy Eating

The drinking and driving laws are tough so offer to be the designated driver. This is another way to save on calories, stay safe and help keep others safe too.  If you go with the attitude poor me I won’t be able to enjoy myself because I can’t have a drink, guess what you won’t enjoy yourself.  If you go with the right attitude you can still have a good time and not have to have alcohol to make it happen.

Writing down what you eat and drink will really help to keep you on track.  When you write everything down it’s amazing how aware you become to just how much you do consume in a day.  It’s easy to forget what you pick at between meals that add up and make a difference over the days and weeks.

Being more active will also help out and be sure that once the holiday is over that you get back on track. From my experience and others I know there’s way more damage done after the holiday by eating and drinking the extra stuff or just not being firm with yourself and saying this is it, I am done!  I speak from experience I have been determined to get back to my normal eating habits as soon as I get home but find the longer I leave it the more I crave the foods that do the damage. it created a vicious circle.

Get rid of the extra goodies, remember  that you really don’t have to eat them.  If you don’t make the changes back quickly then it becomes a new habit and a downward spiral away from what you really want.

The key is if it’s a special occasion enjoy yourself,  indulge a little if you want to but don’t keep on indulging.  Get back to your normal way of eating as soon as the holiday is over. If you have been working hard to lose a few pounds and then feel you’ve blown it just get over it and get back on the wagon and move on.

If you are looking for a fun way to get and stay fit you gotta dance. The chances are even if you haven’t danced in a very long time there was a time when you probably did at one time. The fashions may have changed quite a bit, and there may be some dances that you don’t recognize but that’s okay, it’s still a lot of fun.

And if you think you’re too old to learn to dance think again. Just watch the movie clip below and you will see it’s never too late. These seniors are great and they are having fun and staying young physically and mentally. Did you know that dancing is one of the best exercises for your brain? When you dance you are have to think and coordinate and move your body at the same time, plus the music and general enjoyment aspect of it makes it a perfect activity at any age.

A lot of people are intimidated about learning but even the learning can be fun.  And if you want to meet new people take some dance classes. Remember others are probably going to be there for the same reason that you are.

Whether you like ballroom, Latin, swing, jazz, country, line dancing or square dancing it doesn’t matter, the thing is just pick something and get started. Dancing is a time when some people feel that they can really let themselves go. If your over 50, especially over 60 you will surely remember the music of the 50s and 60’s just get some of your favorites of that era that and you will soon get your feet tapping and be in the mood to dance.

Keep on Dancing

Dancing is one of my very favorite things to do. I danced a lot when I was younger then didn’t dance for years until after I turned 50 when I took lessons. Taking up dancing again was the best thing I could have done, I met some great people and just had the time of my life.

Don’t tell me you don’t want to give it a try once you see these seniors from the movie ‘Gotta Dance’…Enjoy!

Addiction treatment has risen in the over 50s age group.  It is a real problem and often difficult to detect especially when it is drug addiction from medications prescribed from the doctor.  When we hear about drug and alcohol addiction we don’t tend to think of the seniors. Pain killer addiction is described to be the hidden addiction.

Many of the seniors started drinking and using drugs before the age of 25 and continued over the years, which has lead to it becoming an addiction in their senior years.

When it comes to medication as we age there are a number of things that people get prescriptions for including insomnia, pain, anxiety and depression. Seniors don’t tend to use street drugs but a large number will use prescription drugs as mood altering drugs and like any drug or alcohol once they lose their initial affect they take more and more to get the desired effect.

One disabled senior that I know of had been getting prescriptions for many years for both herself and her husband.  As well as taking the drugs, she had been stashing them away. Sometimes she would overdose herself, and more than once the paramedics would have to come to bring her out of the almost unconscious state.

Because she already had some serious medical issues the family thought that her passing out and other odd behaviors were related to her health condition. It was a very long time before the family realized what had been going on. They would never have considered the fact that their mother was actually addicted to the drugs and was overdosing. Had they realized sooner they could have got her the drug addiction counseling that she required.

Some seniors don’t become addicted until they are older. This is often brought on by various life changes. Some retired seniors get very lonely and use alcohol as their addiction. It is very easy for most seniors to drink alone at home and who would ever know. Health issues, the loss of a spouse, some even missing their work life and the social interaction with co-workers are all reasons that some seniors turn to alcohol.

Another big concern with addictions and seniors is gambling. Going to the casino can be a great distraction and a place where many seniors find some form of company. This is fine unless they become addicted to gambling and lose money that they cannot afford to lose.

An added problem for seniors abusing drugs and alcohol is that they age even faster. They can also lose their mental focus, and sometimes the ability to remain living independently way faster than needs be.

With proper intervention many seniors could do well and get their life back on track. First the problem has to be recognized and then it’s time to get help for recovery from Addiction.

Families need to become more aware of the problem of addiction in seniors so that they can help their parent, sibling or friend.

Author Bio: Shirley Price is a Life coach and trained in NLP, Solution focused counseling and EFT. She is the publisher of www.lifebydesignover50.com  She is located on Vancouver, Canada.

As we reach the over 50 age group we become much more aware of the fact that we are really aging. We start to think of what our future holds as an older person, as a senior.  We become more aware of our personal fitness level and health, or lack of. As we see those older than us walking with walkers and on mobility scooters we are constantly reminded that the next 10 to 20 years or so could hold some major changes and challenges for us. Challenges that we would prefer to avoid as long as possible.  We want to maintain our freedom of independence and mobility to be able to continue to do the things that we have learned to take so much for granted.

Staying mobile is such an important part of our existence.  Even the disabled are able to be mobile with the assistance of modern wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walkers that were not as user friendly or easily available to generations before us.

Obviously we want to avoid having to rely on anything but our own body to get us around for as long as possible, so we have to look after it. Exercise is a crucial part of staying fit and active, but sometimes even regular exercise doesn’t guarantee that we won’t need assistance at some time in our life.

Think of the freedom that devices like the mobility scooters have given to many that would otherwise have been confined to their home, or be dependent on others to take them out. They are able to get around do their own shopping and keep appointments giving then the independence that we all want and need. It’s not just the elderly either. There are young individuals that have become less able due to accidents, M.S, Parkinson’s and other conditions, as well as the very young that are born with a disability. Mobility affects us all and we all want it, so when something new comes up that could change lives and could possibly increase the quality of life for many us then we want to know about it-Right?
I came across these very interesting videos of Honda’s amazing innovations. This could be really helpful to many if it ever comes to the marketplace and becomes affordable. My concerns would be falling of the one that you sit on and that the other one that supports the body does look pretty uncomfortable.

Enjoy and be amazed!

Can you believe how fast time goes by and before you know it you are at some major milestone in your life?  Perhaps you’ve just turned 50 or even 60 years of age and realize that maybe you haven’t taken such good care of yourself, and now it shows. To make matters worse it’s not just that it shows; you also feel it too. You know that you should be in better health and shape than you are.

We do tend to take our natural good health and fitness level for granted when we are young but by not taking care we pay for it later. Even some of the greatest athletes and fitness fanatics still have problems from the over use of joints so we shouldn’t beat ourselves up too much for not doing better. The thing is it’s never too late to make some changes to improve our life.

Some of the issues we face with being 50 plus is joint pain; it maybe from arthritis or old injuries, high blood pressure, and often high cholesterol, not to mention that we are not as flexible any more. When we feel pain and discomfort the last thing that we feel like doing is exercising, and yet it’s something that can really help build our stamina and strength and have us feeling younger and more fit.

I know from personal experience that having arthritis in my knee has at times made me feel 10 years older than I am. I used to dance (a lot) then I started getting knee problems so felt forced to quit. I missed it terribly and got to the point that I didn’t dance at all for quite a while. When you have pain its so much easier to not do something than suffer the discomfort.

When you stop exercising the chances are you will gain weight, which may lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even diabetes for some.  Besides this you are not doing the things that you get pleasure out of, so it becomes a downward spiral.  The one thing you don’t want to do is quit and give into it.  You need to figure out a way to give your body what it needs so that you are still be able to enjoy life to the fullest.

Exercise: The key is finding exercise that suits you. Not everyone has to go to the gym to exercise and it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Strength training is really important; it helps burn off fat and strengthen muscles. You know that old saying if you don’t use it you lose it, well that applies to muscles too. You don’t have to lift heavy weights to improve your muscles tone either. Many people find that the flat exercise bands work very well and are an excellent choice. You can cover just about any exercises that you need to do using the bands, plus you don’t need bulky exercise equipment that you don’t have the room for.

Walking is one of the best all around exercises that you can do for fitness and your mental health. Walking has so many benefits, especially if you are able to do your walking outdoors in a pleasant environment. I personally like to use my recumbent bike.  I find the pedalling motion helps keep my knees from getting stiff and sore. Exercise really doesn’t have to be hard work; the main thing is to be doing something. Start somewhere if you haven’t done any exercise for a while, start slow and work up from there. For a lot of people the main issue around exercise is all in the mind. If we make exercising a huge deal it’s easy to talk ourselves out of it. Dancing around your living room to your favourite music is fun and good exercise too, so don’t dismiss this either. Exercise helps with balance and flexibility too. Add some activities like golf, tennis, swimming and you have found the key to fun and fitness.

With regards to blood pressure and cholesterol probably half the adult population has less than optimal levels, but we do know that eating healthy and regular exercise can improve our personal numbers in a fairly short time.  We have a choice, if we want to enjoy travel, have new adventures and fun we need to be as fit as possible and take charge of your own body. So why not put the effort into your redesigning your life?

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.

We often don’t realize how important this is until we are faced with some major change in our life. I recently met a lady that suffers with extreme arthritis. She sat with me at the local coffee shop

and explained that her building was having a new elevator installed and this meant that she had to move out of her apartment for about four weeks while this work was being done. She wasn’t able to drive and even public transport was a challenge for her. She relied on Handy Dart which collects and takes people that have challenges to community and senior centers and also to appointment they have to attend. The problem was Handy Dart was on strike and had been for about four weeks leaving her and many others having to use a taxi cab which is costly. This really made me appreciate being able to get my own vehicle and drive wherever I needed to.

We are aware that as we age our eyesight and hearing diminish, our reflexes get slower and there are other factors that can affect the way we drive including medications. Therefore we need to have the self-awareness to know when our ability to drive safely is inhibited and we may become a danger to ourselves and others.

There are many ways to keep a healthy body and mind. Staying actively involved in life, participating in hobbies and having interests will keep both body and mind active. Learning a new skill is an excellent way to exercise your brain. Staying involved with life by getting together with friends for some fun and healthy activities.
Besides the more common ways to exercise your brain there are a number of brain exercise programs like the Train Your Brain Clinically Proven Brain Fitness Programs from Posit Science

Many seniors are becoming more interested in the internet, not only that many seniors are really internet savvy. Seniors are the largest group of new internet users.  It’s another great way to keep your brain active. You can research anything and if your into crosswords or games there’s lots to offer. Not to mention the fact that it’s a great way to stay in touch with those you love. If you haven’t got into it yet or thinking or getting more serious Amazon is a great place to check them out.