Healthy Living

Life happens. You get a flat tire, make a mistake at work or get into an argument with a friend. It’s possible to respond to stress in a neutral or even positive way, but avoiding negativity can be a real challenge. So let’s find a way to deal with life’s little defeats. Explore this activity on Staying Sharp and learn how focusing on the upsides of stressful situations can help you. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

We make decisions multiple times a day. But as we get older, everyday reasoning can become a bit challenging. Good problem-solving skills are essential for feeling healthy and remaining independent as you age. The Everyday Reasoning challenge provides you with strategies to solve problems in your daily life. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

Do you have a number in mind? Do you want to live to be 80, 90 or 100? How about 115 or 120?Do you think it matters what your expectations are? I do. I think if you expect to live a long healthy life, your chances of doing so are greater.

We all have bad habits, but some of them can really take a toll on our mental abilities. Learn about nine habits to avoid, from smoking to sitting too much, in this article, and discover how simple lifestyle changes may impact your mental well-being. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

It might do each and all of us a world of good to laugh this hard at least once a day. Tim Conway on The Carol Burnett Show 

  Patient portals are healthcare-related online applications that allow patients to interact and communicate with their healthcare providers, such as physicians and hospitals.  Your whole health history is there - from you filling out a questionnaire on your family to other things like conditions and surgeries one has had in the past, pregnancies if a female, anything else   ALL the results of any test like CT Scans, MRI, lab work.Your medication list is there.  Name, dose, frequencyany allergiesvaccination and immunization recordresults of last preventive test of whatever kindyour docs and specialist are thereyou can make and cancel appointment you can view your claims and their statushave your insurance plans listed in priorityyou can get a price quote on some procedureAND much more This is what Medicare has paid money to health providers to establish - the Electronic Health Records (EHR)  It is all secure and under several layers of sign

   I’m pushing 70.  I have most of my hair but the gray is slowly creeping up the sides.  I am retired, but I could go back to work if I wanted to.  I rarely get sick or take medication.  I wouldn’t want to be a soldier in the military or run cross country, like I did in high school, but I’m fit to do most anything else.  No memory problems.  I’m not angry.  My politics and religion haven’t changed.  In short, I am what I’ve always been.  So why do people insist on calling me “elderly” or “retired” or “senior”?  Why do they automatically give me senior discounts or hold the door for me?  

How Many Steps per Day Are Enough?What should you set as your pedometer goal?    By Wendy Bumgardner | Reviewed by a board-certified physicianUpdated June 20, 2017Is 10,000 steps per day the right number to set as the daily target on your pedometer? You may wonder where that number came from and whether it is a good goal for most people. Does it really indicate that you are getting enough exercise for fitness, enough to reduce health risks and support weight loss?Why Is 10,000 Steps the Magic Number?A goal of 10,000 steps per day was created as a promotion by a pedometer company in Japan in the 1960s and it became popular as it was adopted by walking clubs.It wasn't based on research. It just sounded good.Once the goal of 10,000 steps per day was established, researchers played catch-up and found it was a good indicator you were getting somewhere near the recommended amount of physical activity during that day to reduce health risks. Now many activity monitors and pedome

Recent research is challenging many long-held assumptions about the older brain. And it’s a myth that you have no control over many age-related brain issues. In fact, doing nothing and just chalking them up to getting older may accelerate some of these changes. Check out these six common brain myths as well as facts about what happens to the brain as we age. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE! What You Need to Know About FLiRT, the Latest COVID Variants. Experts caution not to let down your guard just because winter is behind us. By Rachel Nania, AARP. Published May 09, 2024. With national levels of respiratory illness declining and warmer weather on the horizon, COVID-19 may no longer be top of mind. But don’t let it slip too far, health experts warn. “COVID is down, but it has not gone away. I would say it’s continuing to smolder out there,” says infectious disease expert William Schaffner, M.D., a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. *** USE LINK AT BOTTOM OF THIS POST TO READ THIS ARTICLE *** [1] Then enter Email Address you used to sign in to use This Site.   [2] Then enter the password you use.   [3] Lastly, there are 3 LETTERS that will "pop up" as their SECURITY CHECK. Enter those.   [4] Then click log in. htt

Ready to restore balance to your life's rhythm? Explore a wealth of resources to calm your mind, invigorate your body and nurture your spirit in the Find Your Calm content, with expert tips on cultivating balance through meditation, yoga and nature walks. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and challenging your brain may reduce some of the changes to attention and memory that can occur as you age. Start incorporating daily brisk walks into your routine, and read this article to explore five other habits that may benefit brain health. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more tips on healthy living.

Turn up the radio. Sing a song. Dance around the room or pick up a guitar. Making and enjoying music can stimulate your brain, trigger memories and emotions, connect you with others and enrich your life, according to a report from AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH). How exactly does this happen? According to the GCBH report, music engages multiple parts of the brain and helps them work together. So kick up your heels, turn up the volume and sing out loud the next time you’re in the shower. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

Knowledge is power, and taking the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins can give you a view into how you’re performing today. Previously available to AARP members at a cost of $14, the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins is now available to AARP members and registered users on aarp.org at no cost. What’s more, you can retake them every 30 days to continue to learn about strategies to help support brain health as you age. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

We all start out in life with hopes, dreams and aspirations. But at some point many of us get distracted and lose our focus. Watch this TED Talk with hip-hop artist Cordae as he describes his journey from mixtape-dropping high school kid to Grammy-nominated music star whose “Hi Level” mindset helps him achieve his dreams. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

Our brains thrive on a diet rich in seafood, fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. But what are the key vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in these foods? Scientists have identified a number of strong contenders. You might be tempted to take supplements to get these nutrients, but a report from AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health says that “for most people, the best way to get your nutrients for brain health is from a healthy diet.” Read more about 7 essential nutrients for brain health in this article. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

AARP members, aarp.org registered users and Staying Sharp users are eligible to apply for enrollment in research studies led by universities and private research organizations related to health, habits and cognitive aging. You can easily sign up to get notified about future research studies. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® today to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

How much does the Renew Active contract pay for health club memberships such as Lifetime Fitness? 

A glass of wine or two at dinner, a beer at the local sporting event — will that affect your health? Read this article to understand the latest research on moderate drinking. Looking for more ways to support brain health? Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® today.

Does anyone do bodywork. Pressure point!kiniesology!

If you are considering purchasing an Audiologist prescribed Hearing Aid, ask whether it comes with a well written comprehensive Manual. I recently purchase an Opticon Real One Hearing Aid. It is highly regarded for its voice clarity. However the accompanying manual is rudimentary. Like many high end Hearing Aids one can pair it to ones cell phone or stream from a tablet. Pairing, streaming and dealing with lost Bluetooth connections for instance is not covered. The manual will direct you to your Audiologist ! However, the Opticon supprt  will provide instructions when requested by email. I have no idea whether other Hearing Aid manufacturers do a better job, but attention to this problem before purchasing may save you time and frustration. An example of an excellent manual for a related device is the one that comes with Caption Call phones.

We all need to focus on brain health, but it’s important to recognize that gender can play a role in brain function. Women have unique health needs and risks, based on biological and genetic factors. Hormone changes, age and lifestyle can all affect the health of women’s brains. Here are seven steps women can take to help keep their bodies and minds healthy. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

Be Brain Fit has collected 50 brain food recipes, saying "One of the hardest parts of eating healthy for your brain is coming up with new ideas. There are literally million of recipes online if you want to lose weight, shed belly fat, reduce carbs, or go gluten-free. But if you want to eat right for your brain, there are very few recipe sources created specifically with brain health in mind." They've divided the recipes into the following categories: breakfast, soups, main courses, side dishes and desserts. Looking over the recipes, I find that there aren't any ingredients with which we are unaccustomed or unfamiliar. blueberry horseradish grilled salmon This one, the salmon with blueberry horseradish glaze looks good to me. https://www.vitalchoice.com/recipe/grilled-salmon-with-blueberry-horseradish-glaze  I think this might be a great New Year's brunch item.  Browse all 50 recipes here: https://bebrainfit.com/brain-food-reci

Happiness is an important component of your well-being. Explore habits that may increase happiness — from connecting with others to practicing kindness — in the Pursuit of Happiness challenge. You’ll learn about the science of happiness and about the building blocks you need to create your best self. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

When was the last time you played tag, jumped rope, colored outside the lines or dove into a ball pit? While childhood play is essential for brain development, a little adult play may also have benefits, research suggests. Bottom line: Building fun into your day may ease stress, strengthen social ties, and support mood. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.