Some years ago, at the age of 61, I quit my job, rented out my flat and flew to Australia to research my family history. It was not an easy business. In the days before Airbnb and other similar organisations made letting so much more flexible, agents insisted on a minimum of a year’s lease, with a six-month break clause, gas safety checks, inventories, fire-proofing and so on. On my part, there was the cancelling of utilities, council tax, water and phone and broadband contracts. I had to inform – and pay – my insurance and mortgage companies. And, of course, there was the packing up and storing of all my personal stuff. (Fortunately, I have a loft.) I Don’t Regard Myself as a Particularly Adventurous Person I’m a cautious soul by nature, and I like a certain predictability in…
Is It Better To Go on Multiple Short Walks or One Long One? Two Cardiologists Weigh In
Whether you prefer the “hot girl” variety, a morning stroll for your mental health, strutting on a treadmill, or powering through a few minutes on your lunch break, by now you are probably well aware of the many benefits of walking: It’s good for your heart and lungs, brain, mood, and longevity, among other things. But although it’s very clear why you should walk, there’s still a big question regarding the best way to go about it: Are short or long walks better for you? For example, how does getting up from your desk every hour to take a quick stroll around the block compare to carving out one chunk of time at the beginning or end of your day to walk a few miles? In general, all walking is good for you, so there’s really no right or wrong answer.…
‘I’m a 68-Year-Old Trainer, and Have Stronger Arms Today Than I Did in My 30s Thanks to These 3 Moves’
The inspo of Michelle Obama’s swole arms has stuck around long past the Obama presidency, and for good reason. A strong upper body is linked to longevity, and assists with essential functions as we age like maintaining balance. Not to mention that toned shoulders, biceps, and triceps look dang impressive on anyone. Liz Hilliard, a 68-year-old trainer and the owner and creator of Hilliard Studio Method in Charlotte, North Carolina, focuses on arm strength for both herself and her clients. And she says that, personally, her arms are stronger today than they were in her 30s, since she added arm resistance training to her workout routine three times per week. “We begin losing muscle mass beginning around the age of 30,” Hilliard says. “While traditional workouts such as cardio and stretching are important, nothing beats resistance training for keeping our bones strong and…
9 Signs to Know If Your Retirement Is on Track
It might be intimidating to invest money for retirement, mainly since it’s usual for soon-to-be retirees to worry about whether or not they’ll have enough money to support themselves in their later years. Several general guidelines can be used to determine where you stand with your retirement funds. If you want to retire by the age of 67, you need to start saving your annual wage by the time you are 30 years old. You should also have three times your yearly wage saved by the time you are 40. By multiplying your annual expenses by 25, you may determine your “end goal” – the amount of money you need to save before retiring with enough money to last 30 years. This is called the 4% rule. However, there are other ways to monitor the development of your retirement savings…
I’m a Personal Trainer, and These Are My 5 Best Tips for Fitting in a Workout When Your Schedule Is Chaotic
Tis the season to be booked and busy. Between getting ready for the holidays, meeting the end-of-the-year deadlines at work, trying to attend all the events, and everything in between, our schedules are filled to the brim. As a personal trainer, one of the things I see take a back seat is people’s fitness routines. It can feel nearly impossible to find ways to exercise on a busy schedule. We know that working out is important for both our mental and physical health. Yet when our appointment books start to look like a great American novel, exercise typically doesn’t rank that high on our list of priorities. But I’ll tell you something: You don’t actually have to dedicate that much time in your day to get the benefits of exercise. The key is simply to slip in more movement whenever…
Job Search Getting You Down After 60? These 6 Tips May Give You the Pick-Me-Up You Need
Looking for a job in your 60s can feel similar to riding a wave. On one hand, you may welcome the chance to hit the restart button on your career and gain a fresh sense of purpose. On the other, landing your dream job isn’t always a smooth process, and you may experience a few setbacks along the way. Everyone’s journey is unique, and it’s difficult to predict how long your job search will last. But it’s important to remember that you aren’t alone and that the right job will come along eventually. Accepting this truth isn’t always easy, but here are a few things you can try to help you manage your happiness and well-being while you’re searching. Go Small Job searching can become overwhelming at times, especially if you set out to do everything required at once. Instead,…
Don’t Let Regrets Keep You from Enjoying the Holidays
As the holiday season is upon us – with friends and families making plans to get together, stores filled to the rafters with gifts to give to loved ones, airports and train-stations jammed with travelers hurrying to their joyful destinations – some may feel lost in all this happy celebration. After all, once we hit 60 or more, some of our family and friends have probably made their transition into the Great Beyond, and however you define that passage, the truth is, we miss them. And with that, some of us may have regrets. Things we left unsaid, harsh words never taken back, choices made we wish we hadn’t. The holidays can feel glum and depressing rather than a time of joy and laughter. Push Regrets Aside You would think that the older we get, the more regrets we would…
How many times a day/week/month should I have sex?!
When actor Andrew Garfield recently revealed on Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast that he abstained from sex for six months in order to prepare for a role, actress/talk show host Drew Barrymore took notice. And she didn’t seem to think that six month was a big deal. What about you? Does it seem like it’s too long, or do you view it as an easy sacrifice for an important yet time-limited cause? When it comes to sex, we humans love numbers. How many orgasms can someone have in a row? Should I buy the jumbo pack of condoms, or just what I need for tonight? How many times a day/week/month should I be having sex? How many times day/week/month do I feel like having sex? See what I mean? We can get very quantitative about it all. While that’s all well…
7 Simple Ways to Keep Your Face and Body Look 10 Years Younger
Sleep at nightWe know we should sleep eight hours a day, but what about sleeping at night? Studies have shown that people who sleep less than five hours per night tend to get older faster. Sleeping at night helps to keep our body clock regulated. When we don’t sleep enough, we’re not able to regulate our circadian rhythm properly and our hormones become out of balance. Not getting enough sleep also affects our immune system and makes us prone to conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. So make sure you get some shuteye! Eat breakfastWhen we skip breakfast, we feel sluggish throughout the entire day. Eating a nutritious breakfast keeps blood sugar levels stable and prevents cravings later in the day. A good breakfast includes whole grains, protein, and healthy fats like nuts and avocado. Drink waterDrinking plenty of…