By Jason Black

Now that you are enjoying more personal freedom at this stage of your life, why not stretch yourself in a new way? Chances are before your fabulous 50s, you were too busy to even consider learning a new skill that didn’t relate to work, your family, or other obligations you had.
 
Learning a new language is a great way to stretch yourself. It’s not something you’ll master overnight, it does take some personal commitment, but so does anything worthwhile. Not only is this something that is interesting and practical for traveling to one of those countries that you’ve always dreamed about visiting, but it can also help to protect your brain. Learning a new language is proven to be a good defense against Alzheimer’s disease.

How does learning a new language help your brain?

It keeps your mind active, and the mental challenge of learning a new language may help strengthen connections in your brain, keeping them sharper. It will improve your memory and retention of new information, which is especially important here because Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia, mainly affects people over the age of 50, and most commonly over 65 years of age. Keeping your brain active and stimulated is just as important as staying physically fit. Brain Fitness Software Featured on PBS Other reasons to learn a new language

It’s true that many places you can travel to these days speak enough English for you to get by without learning their language, but taking the time to actually learn to communicate in their local language is one way to extend a warm greeting, and for you to feel even more welcome and at home there. Many people appreciate the effort you will be making as a tourist, to try and speak their language. You will get a greater sense and feel for the locale this way, and it opens the door to learning more about the culture than you would get from a travel guide. FREE Spanish Lessons! See how easy and fast you can learn Spanish!

In your 50s, you may find it extremely refreshing to put your brain to use in a new way, pick up a new skill that is interesting and challenging, and makes for good dinner conversation the next time you’re out with friends. Your family may also be impressed that you are choosing to apply yourself to an interesting new skill and you will get the sense of personal satisfaction from achieving such a worthwhile goal. You might also consider having a friend or partner join you if you think they might be interested.

You are in a new and important time of your life, one that can be as interesting, engaging, exciting and rewarding a time, as those that came before. Expand your horizons – life can be an adventure filled with fresh new things to help you grow and evolve even further and build new memories to cherish. Learn a new language, then pack a bag and travel to the destination if you wish and put it to use!

Debe Lange

Do you ever chuckle to yourself as you see those dedicated running ‘experts’ trot past your house about the same time every day?  You know; the ones that wear spandex, t-shirts, a baseball cap (sometimes with ponytails), headphones, and carry their water bottle on their hip.  Am I the only one who thinks they look exhausted and stressed, and all for the sake of their weight, muscle tone, and cardiovascular system?  Their eyes are usually so glazed over they miss all the excitement and beauty around them.

Then there are those who walk with gusto.  They take long, quick strides; both arms reaching forward and back alternately with purpose.  They don’t smile.  Instead, they focus straight ahead without wavering, like their life depends on reaching their goal.

Now, don’t misunderstand.  I give credit to those who take the initiative to exercise to expel stress and stay fit and healthy.  However, this is not my idea of a perfect walk.  Nor is this the type of walk I’d be interested in taking.Certainly the health benefits of exercising are indisputable.  Taking regular walks profits better and deeper breathing, improves muscle tone, regulates digestion, and promotes endorphins which help attitude.  Certainly the sunlight encourages better skin tone because of Vitamin D, and even the immune system is affected.  There is no doubt that overall health is enhanced with walking.There are many types of walking, just as there are various types of people who walk.  When we were growing up, we walked most everywhere.  It wasn’t unusual for us to walk a mile or more to school, to sporting events, downtown, and to the library.  Getting a ride wasn’t expected; it was a privilege.

Then too, after school when we got home, we played basketball, baseball, tennis, went swimming or bike riding, hiking, and kept active outside.  Do you remember having to be back in the house before the street lights came on?  We didn’t spend hours in front of the TV, the computer, or playing video games.  Nor did we spend hours upon hours on the telephone, which incidentally was at home when we were outside.

We even walked for the purpose of enjoying the walk.  We’d leisurely walk to the park with a friend and enjoy participating in the activity once there.  We’d walk to go shopping, knowing whatever we bought would have to be carried back home during another walk.  We walked to school; which was normally the quickest walk of the day so we wouldn’t get detention for being late, and we carried books both to and from school.

Then when we did walk, we stopped to listen to the birds, watch the squirrels, admire a particular flower, or enjoy the fresh snowfall.  Some of our best counseling sessions were just sharing with our friends as we took a walk.

We’d discuss a subject in school, last night’s football game, our driver’s education class, the upcoming dance, or the new kid in school.  Many a dating relationship began with a walk.

So, the next time you’re looking around for something to do, or you need to take a break from the stressfulness of the day, take a walk to clear your head and appreciate your surroundings.  You might even take your spouse or a friend along for a reconnecting conversation.

Contributed by Deb Lange