Behind all of my writing and presentations is idea that the thoughts we repeatedly hold in mind have a dramatic effect on our day and on our lives. The kinds of thinking we tend to have shape how well we age and how long we live. Over the years, studies have shown that positive thinkers are able to age more successfully—that …
In clearing out my DVR queue recently, I ran across a PBS program that featured psychiatrist Daniel Amen, the author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. He was giving a presentation on how to improve memory and decrease the risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Amen described how each of us can affect our brain health in positive ways to …
Yesterday I sat down to write my weekly blog message, but when I went online to post it, I discovered that my website had crashed. For me, that’s a big deal. No blog, no email, my entire site contents out of reach. I freaked out. I don’t know about you, but when something unexpected pulls the rug out from under me …
It’s the last week of January. How’s it going with your New Year’s resolutions? Some of the most popular ones are about getting in more exercise, but somehow the long, dark days weaken your resolve until goals of exercising float away in favor of (if you’re like me) cuddling under warm blankets in front of the TV. But there’s more to …
When it comes to being either the glass-is-half-full or the glass-is-half-empty kind of person, I’ve found there’s wisdom in taking the half-full view. Especially as I age. I am amazed at what I can still do, but see changes I’m not so crazy about. Then I stop and reflect on how much time I spent as a kid, a teenager, and …
Supportive social connections do a world of good for your emotional and physical health. This is especially true as you age, so nurture those ties that feed your soul. Remember that old Barbra Streisand song? The lyrics suggest that people who need people are the luckiest people in the world. Studies now show that they are also among the healthiest people …
This is a leap year, which means we get an extra day for doing or being whatever we choose. Something I am doing is spending more time feeding my spirit, so I watched Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul Sessions. She showcased three speakers in each of four hour-long sessions and the presentation by Rob Bell was on the joy of growing younger. …
All of life is about growth and change. When the change is the loss of a loved one, it can cause grief and turmoil. But death can also be a reminder of just how precious life is. A friend of mine made her transition recently and after the initial shock, I began reflecting on my own life and how I wanted …
Ashton Applewhite, the ageism activist and author behind the This Chair Rocks blog, gave a webinar this past week for the American Society on Aging. In it, she shared information that contradicts what many of us think about aging. For example, she described data showing that only 4% of people over 65 live in nursing homes now—down from 5% a decade …
I was caught off guard recently. A happy occasion led to a revealing picture. Last week, my godson was awarded a Medal of Valor for his heroism as a Detroit police officer. I hopped a plane and joined family members attending the ceremony. Lots of photos were taken by each of us, but one taken by a professional photographer outside the …
