The Importance of Sleep and How to Get More of It...

A couple of years ago, I was suffering through a serious bout of insomnia. I would stay awake until 4 or 5 in the morning, and then have to get up around 8AM to get ready to go to work.  After a month of getting between 3-4 hours of sleep a night, I was a mess. Physically I felt awful, my body was achy, and I displayed symptoms similar to flu symptoms. Emotionally I felt as if I was on the brink of a nervous breakdown. Things that usually wouldn’t even faze me, sent me into a downward spiral of emotional outbreaks and tears. On top of all of that, my brain just barely functioned, turning the simplest of tasks into the most difficult. After making some lifestyle adjustments, I began falling back into a regular sleep pattern. My health and emotional/mental well-being were restored, but I’ll never forget how negatively those months of sleep deprivation affected me. Sleep is one of the most important factors to living a healthy, happy life. It allows your body to rest and heal, and helps support healthy brain function. Sleep deprivation can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.  If you’re prone to being depressed, not getting enough sleep will only feed those symptoms. Insomnia and depression tend to go hand in hand, with sleep loss intensifying depression symptoms, and those symptoms in turn, causing sleep problems. One of the biggest side effects of my sleep deprivation was that my memory began to fail me big time. I couldn’t remember the simplest things. According to a recent study, the brain waves that are responsible for consolidating memories usually only happen during the deepest level of sleep. When you...

How to Find a Legit Work-From-Home Job...

5 tips to help you earn money without leaving the house A 56-year-old woman I know (she prefers not to be named) works from home about 30 hours a week, handling editing, proofreading and administrative duties for a consulting firm. This flexible work arrangement has proven to be a gift during a very difficult time. “My husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness,” she says. “I have no idea how I could have been his full-time caregiver and still shown up at an office. Instead I work at any hour of the day, any day of the week, so I can fulfill my job obligations and still be available for my husband’s needs.” Work-from-home jobs can be a great way to earn money full-time or part-time (perhaps in retirement) on a flexible schedule. But, as Next Avenue has written, there are plenty of scammers luring people who want to work from home. Be wary of ads that tout “high income for little work,” “no experience necessary” or other suspicious claims of instant riches for little effort. To find legitimate, quality at-home assignments, follow these five tips: 1. Focus on telecommuting-friendly jobs.  Tasks that require minimal supervision and can be completed using a phone or computer are best suited for virtual assignments. Some examples of work you can easily do on a remote basis: Telephone-based jobs, such as customer service agents, financial product sales and telemarketing. Computer-based jobs, such as web designer, translator, medical transcriptionist, researcher, blogger and online instructor. 2. Sell yourself locally. The number of people looking for work-from-home jobs is far greater than the number of advertised positions. So to get work-from-home assignments, you may need to drum up opportunities on your own, rather than answering ads. The...

8 Things Your Aging Parents Want You to Know...

As they get older, they often need to get some long-held things off their chest “I felt guilty every day of my life that I was able to have children and Lilly wasn’t,” my 80-year-old mother confided, quietly, more than a little choked up. Lilly was Mom’s older, much beloved cousin whose lack of offspring had always been a matter of whispered speculation among the relatives of my generation. There was talk of a botched abortion, something that would have been positively scandalous in 1940. Even when “the kids” grew up, it would not have been divulged. My mother wasn’t revealing a family secret. It wasn’t the reason for Lilly’s childless state that was troubling her. She was sharing with me a feeling that had haunted her for decades. What could I say that would be helpful? I pondered that a moment before I opened my mouth. I said what I knew to be true: “You adored Lilly. All of us kids loved her, too. I’m sure she knew how much you cared about her.” For our elderly parents, “getting their house in order” often involves more than consulting with a tax attorney or an estate planner, says Ken Druck, author of The Real Rules of Life. As people age, many reach a stage where they are no longer concerned that we will judge them, so they confide feelings that remained unvoiced for years. “There comes a point where they feel intimate enough with us as adults that they can share unknown truths about their emotional lives,” Druck says. Seeing Parents in a New Light These conversations have the potential to help us see our parents in a new light and forge a deeper connection with them. The trick, of...

9 Steps to Communicating Better...

The older we get, the more important it is to build and foster good relationships with other people. Being social and making new friends is important, since this part of life can bring about many changes in who is in your life. Communicating with others is very important for keeping your brain sharp, in addition to helping your relationships. It is also important to remember that with all the life experiences that you’ve had, you have a lot to offer to others. Being isolated can often spiral into depression and stress, which is why surrounding yourself with familiar, trustworthy friends and loved ones can be a key to staying happy and healthy. One of the best ways to nurture relationships is by learning how to communicate properly. How many friendships fall apart because of a simple misunderstanding or lapse in communication? Have you ever felt like you have misunderstood someone or like someone misunderstood you? The next time you have an issue or something you’d like to address with someone, follow these simple steps to help you communicate clearly. Right Place, Right Time There is a right time and a right place for everything, including conversations. When talking about heavier subjects, or discussing sensitive topics, pick a quiet, private place. Respect the person you are conversing with by giving them the privacy they deserve. The best time to communicate with someone is in the morning or early afternoon. If someone’s had a long, stressful day, having a conversation in the evening may not be the wisest of choices. H.A.L.T. A great way to see if you’re in the right state of mind for a conversation is by using the H.A.L.T. method. H.A.L.T. stands for hungry, angry, lonely or tired,...

Understanding Shyness and 6 Ways to Deal With It...

Have you ever walked into a party or a social situation and found yourself overcome with feelings of anxiousness? Shyness and social unease are quite common and affect millions of people. This may not seem like such a big deal, but as you get older, staying social and building strong friendships is a vital part of maintaining your mental and emotional well-being. With retirement, and the subsequent relocation that sometimes follows, many old friends and familiar social settings can drastically change. Many times, you’ll be forced to step out of your comfort zone in order to forge new connections. This can sometimes cause a lot of anxiety, especially if you’re someone who is inherently shy or feels awkward in social situations. Luckily, there are steps you can take to manage your social anxiety, and overcome your shyness. We’ve listed some of them below: 1. Understand Your Shyness and Accept It According to the Shyness Research Center, shyness has three components: Negative Self-Appraisal – Tending to see everything about yourself in a negative light   (e.g., Everything I do is stupid) Excessive Self-Consciousness – Being overly conscious of yourself, especially in social situations (e.g., Everybody is looking at me.) Irrational Belief System – You create a negative reality out of a negative thought/idea (e.g. Nobody here will like me anyway) Although we all experience different shades of shyness, the core root of shyness can be explained by the following reasons: Low Self-Esteem – You tend to feel worthless and that your actions and unique qualities are not desirable. Extreme Self-Preoccupation – You’re extremely fixated on how your actions are being perceived, and makes you question every move. Defining Yourself as Shy – By defining yourself as shy, or having other people...

Parkinson’s Disease: Videos, Internet, and Other Resources...

Video, internet, and other resources are offered on this page. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurological movement disorder that effects as many as a million people in the United States. It is estimated that there are 60,000 new cases diagnosed every year.  Early diagnosis is very important for slowing the progress of symptoms. We are bringing you resources that you can find on the Internet. Keep checking back, as we will keep adding to this list of internet resources.  There will also be other print resources added to this list. Video Resources: The PD YOu Don’t See: Cognitive and Non-motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Length: 26:06 Davis Phinney Foundation Presented by Joanne Hamilton, PhD, ADPP-CN Advanced Neurobehavioral Health of Southern California in Poway, CA The non-motor symptoms are very significant in living with Parkinson’s Disease. This video gives practical strategies for understanding and managing these challenges. What are the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?  Ask the Experts Length: 6:46 Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island Movement Disorders Program Joseph H. Friedman, M.D., expert in Parkinson’s Disease This short video gives information on symptoms and diagnosis of PD. This includes information on Deep Brain Stimulation, as well as mood and behavioral aspects. Parkinson’s: A Dose of Hope Length: 29:07 University of California Television January 12, 2011 Leading medical experts from UC San Francisco’s Parkinson’s Disease Clinic and Research Center This video has excellent information on the research that is being done on Parkinson’s. People with Parkinson’s share their experience of living with the disease.   Parkinson’s: Latest From the Experts Length: 57:59 University of California Television January 12, 2011 Leading medical experts from UC San Francisco’s Parkinson’s Disease Clinic and Research Center This is a longer version of the above video for those who...

Parkinson’s Disease: What It Is, How To Diagnose It, What Do To Control It...

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurological movement disorder that happens when certain brain neurons become impaired and can no longer produce dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that is important for relaying messages between different parts of the brain to help control movements in the body.  This is what allows people to have smooth movements.  Parkinson effects are not noticeable until 60 – 80% of the cells that produce dopamine are compromised. In the United States, as many as one million people live with Parkinson’s Disease, and there are 60,000   new cases diagnosed every year.  Parkinson’s tends to impact senior citizens the most, with almost 1% of Americans over the age of 65 experiencing some form of the disease. About 4% of those with the disease are younger than 50. This can be a difficult diagnosis at any age. There is a specific website for young-onset Parkinson’s which is quite helpful. Early diagnosis of PD is important, so that its progression can be stopped or slowed. It is important to watch for the following changes: Tremors or shaking of limbs, fingers, chin or other body parts. These movements can be normal after heavy exercise or an injury. Handwriting changes, often becoming smaller or more crowded. This tends to happen more suddenly than age related handwriting changes. Loss of smell, especially that of foods like bananas, licorice or pickles. This is not the type of smelling loss associated with colds or flu, but is more persistent. Trouble sleeping because of sudden movements or thrashing around in bed. Trouble moving or walking, because of stiffness in your body, arms, or legs. Change in coordination and balance. This is not the type associated with an injury or arthritis. Constipation, and straining to move your bowels every day. If...

Happy Aging Through Creativity...

Anna Mary Roberston Moses was 76 years old when she picked up a paintbrush for the first time. Discovered by an art collector who was passing through her town, Moses, who became known world-wide as “Grandmother Moses”, soon became one of the art world’s most sought-after artist, with many of her paintings hanging in museums all over the world, including Paris and Vienna. As you enter your older years, many of your hobbies will change, often due to circumstances beyond your control. Creativity is unique it is something that is driven by will and determination. Whether it’s painting, writing, singing, or creating through another medium, there is a power that lies within using your imagination to produce something. The National Endowments for the Arts commissioned a study in 2001 to measure the impact of a cultural, artistic program on people, aged 65 and older. The results were staggering. Those participating in the cultural program not only reported having overall better health, with less doctor visits, need for over-the-counter medicine, and falls, but also had a significant improvement in mental health. The cultural program participants also reported an increase in the number of activities they were participating in, showing that being part of a creative community could help build a stronger social connection. So how exactly does creative expression help you age better? This question can be answered in five simple parts: It Empowers You With age, we lose control over so much in our life. Retirement often leaves us with a sense of uncertainty, so much of our identity being rooted in our “work”. By engaging in a creative endeavor you assign yourself something to be connected to, something to find pride in. With mastery and dedication, comes a...