When Your Adult Child Chooses Another Spiritual Path...

What to do if your adult child has a different spiritual path than you Are we in the midst of a great religious recession? A number of recent studies show that younger people are less religious than older people, and religiosity has declined with each successive generation. In the 2012 Pew Research Centerreport on religion and public life, one-fourth of 18- to 29-year-olds are classified as unaffiliated, a far higher proportion than among their parents (15 percent) or grandparents (9 percent). In extensive interviews with parents and their 18- to 29-year-olds for our book, Getting To 30: A Parent’s Guide to the 20-Something Years, we found that religious questioning is part of the identity explorations woven into this life stage. Most emerging adults feel that it would be wrong for them simply to accept what their parents and others have taught them about religious issues. Their inquiry sometimes leads to a confirmation of their childhood beliefs, but more often to modifying them, and sometimes to a wholesale rejection. Rather than holding to traditional beliefs, the majority of twenty-somethings typically have a vague but inclusive belief in a God who watches over the world and wants people to be good to each other. For some parents, their children’s religious choices are a hot button topic; for others, the subject is almost a non-issue. If parents don’t have a strong religious affiliation or commitment to spiritual seeking, then what their twenty-somethings believe is of little interest or concern to them; they may not even know. But when parents’ religious beliefs are central to their worldview and daily lives, their emerging adult’s beliefs may be one of the most important measures of their success or failure as parents: success if their children...

The Many Benefits of Water Exercise...

I’ve never really associated swimming as a “hard” workout, because while I’m swimming, I don’t necessarily feel like I’m exercising. Since I’m in water I don’t sweat, and although there is resistance, the motion of being in water is so fluid that it usually doesn’t seem very strenuous. It’s much later, usually after being out of the water for a couple of hours, that my muscles begin to feel a little sore and that I feel the exhaustion that accompanies a proper workout. Water has natural buoyancy that provides your body with support, so the injury-risk associated with water-based exercise is quite low. For seniors it can be an ideal workout, since the risk of falling or hurting yourself is much lower than any other exercise program. Since exercising is an important part of healthy aging, adapting a low-impact workout program such as water aerobics or light swimming could really benefit your health and state of mind.  With so many proven benefits, it’s no wonder water exercise is rising in popularity. Read on for some of the many ways water exercise can benefit you. Low/No Pain Factor As stated before, the risk associated with water exercise is extremely low. Since being in water can “reduce” the weight of a person by almost 90%, there is less stress on your joints and muscles. Those who are not able to comfortably work out on dry land may find that they can work out in water relatively pain-free. Being in water also gives you a wider-range of motion, which can help increase your agility and flexibility. Many doctors will recommend water exercise to those suffering from arthritis or osteoporosis, because it allows for a pain-free workout. Balancing Act Water’s buoyancy also makes it...

Current Research Being Done at University of Colorado Anschutz Center...

With the predictions of how many people with be affected by Alzheimer’s Disease over the next decades, it is very exciting to know about the research that is being done. It is very hopeful that there will be a way to stem the tide on the worldwide disease. Dr. Huntington Potter, one of the top Alzheimer’s researcher, has found a common link with those who have Down’s syndrome. This video is long – 1 hour and 14 minutes, but it has a good graphics along with the explanation of the dynamics of the Alzheimer’s disease.  There are excellent questions from an audience that seem to be quite knowledgable. For those who would rather have a written explanation of the disease itself, this can be found on the Alzheimer’s Association’s website. There is also good information on the research that is being done on their website. This site is for information only, and is for your voluntary use at your own risk. See Terms of...

Planning to Enhance Life Purpose During Your Advanced Years...

Life is rich when we have a purpose in our lives. Science is now proving just this, even though many wise ones have known this over past centuries. As we move into the second half of life, this means redefining so much of who we are. During our earlier years, meaning seems to be in life so naturally with our families and careers. When children are grown, careers have wound down, spouses may be gone, and we are not physically able to do the things that we used to be able to do. I’ve spent some very rich time with my 83-year-old aunt, who just recently passed away. I was struck with how deeply she longed for the days when she was able to help others, and how she wondered why she was still here. She had always been one to create fun experiences for her blind foster brother, Jack, and his good friend. Jack had been blind since birth, and his good buddy had mental challenges. They both lived in a hotel for seniors with low incomes. She would take them to their favorite hangouts for burgers and fries; go with them on excursions around the city, to her house in the foothills, or even shopping for the everyday things. This brought them such great joy. When Jack passed away, she continued to take his buddy to do things. She also would pick up her 94-year old sister to take her to her monthly reunion with her high school class. She continued to do many kindnesses for others. It was her joy in life. Then the day came when she lost her driver’s license. She lived in the foothills of Colorado where there were no bus lines, stores, or...

Four Major Conditions that Could Affect Your Vision...

Vision loss has become a major health issue for seniors. 30% of Americans, age 65 and older suffer from vision problems that can’t be corrected with contact lenses or glasses. The American Foundation for the Blind reports the prediction is that this number will double by the year 2030. Losing your vision can severely impact the quality of your life. Aside from hindering basic activities such as reading or watching TV, losing your vision can impact your mobility and freedom. Visually impaired seniors are also at a much higher risk for falls and fractures. Many seniors may experience depression as a result of their vision problems, and the resulting limitations in their lives. Age-related vision problems are usually caused by one of these four major conditions: cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and glaucoma. Cataracts Cataracts occur when too much protein builds up in your eye lens, resulting in a clouding of your vision. Over half of all Americans age 65 and older have cataracts, and it is the number one cause of blindness worldwide. Some of its symptoms include: vision that seems cloudy, blurry or foggy, double vision, perceiving colors differently and problems with glare and halos around lights. In the United States, cataract surgery, which is readily available and effective, has reduced the blinding effect of cataracts. It is usually recommended to those who have cataracts that impact their everyday activities. You can also take preventative measures in order to lower your chances of getting cataracts. A study reported by the National Center of Biotechnology Information showed that those eating a diet rich in antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamins A, C and E, had a smaller risk of developing cataracts. Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic Retinopathy causes the blood vessels...

Benefits of Massage for Second Half of Lifers...

As you get older, it can seem that the every day activities you once enjoyed can leave you feeling sore and tired. Instead of leaving you energized, the slightest bit of exercise can drain you for days. It doesn’t have to be this way.  With age, the body may require a bit more upkeep, but with just a little love and care there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be as active and healthy as ever. Massage therapy is a great tool in helping your body recover and strengthen. Recent studies have shown that massage therapy is one of the most powerful ways to combat the health problems often associated with aging. The benefits of massage are many, but we’ve listed some of the most popular ones below. Improve Your Balance, Posture and Agility Just a single 60-minute full body massage can have a stabilizing effect on your body. By addressing the causes of instability and connecting your mind with your body, massage therapy can help improve your ability to balance. Long-term massage therapy has been proven to restore muscle balance and function, restore appropriate activation, decrease spasms, correct postural imbalances, and improve movement confidence. Reduce Stress Levels and Depression A good massage can flood your brain with serotonin and dopamine, helping you to relax and de-stress. It also reduces cortisol, which is known as the “stress hormone”. When you’re stressed out, your body produces cortisol, which can wreak havoc on your health. Studies have proven that a single massage can greatly reduce the amount of cortisol in your system, keeping you happy and healthy. Strengthens Your Immune System Cortisol is known to kill immune cells, especially those that fight cancer and viral cells. By reducing the number of cortisol...

How to Keep your Brain Healthy...

When people talk about staying healthy and fit, they’re usually thinking about their body from the head down. What many people don’t realize is that one of the most important parts of your body. Your brain needs just as much care as the rest of your body. The brain controls nearly everything that you do, from your thoughts to your movements, so keeping it in the best shape is vital to healthy aging. As you get older, your brain, much like your body, will lose some of its agility, and if you don’t take care of it, it will, eventually, start deteriorating. There have been numerous scientific studies proving different ways that you can boost your brain health, keeping  you functioning at an optimal level. Below are some ways that you can keep your brain healthy: Train Your Brain A recent study showed that a group of elderly people who participated in “brain training” classes are continuing to see positive effects 10 years after the initial training. By giving your brain a daily workout, you can generate new brain cells and stave off age-related cognitive decline. There are multiple apps and online companies that can provide you with free games to help boost your brain strength. Learn Something New By picking up a musical instrument, learning a new language or something else that is completely new to you, you challenge yourself and stimulate your brain in doing so. Stay Rested…but Not Too Rested Getting enough rest is vital to brain health. Get between six and eight hours a night. Don’t overdo it. Sleeping too much can cause just as much rapid decline in cognitive function as not sleeping enough. Feed Your Brain Adopting a balanced diet is vital to...

Acupuncture: The Medical Alternative That You Need To Know About...

With the cost of Western medicine skyrocketing, many are looking to alternative medicine for more affordable, and possibly, more effective treatments. With around $82 billion dollars being spent on prescription medication for the elderly, seniors could benefit greatly from exploring alternative medical treatments, such as acupuncture. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment that uses needles to stimulate specific acupressure points in the body. In this alternative healthcare system, pain and illness are viewed as a sign that your body is out of balance. Acupuncture treats each person based on his or her individual needs, rather than using the same treatment for every person showing the same signs of a particular illness. Just because two people share the same medical diagnosis, does not mean that they will share the same acupuncture treatment, as the cause of illness will vary from person to person. Physical, emotional and mental conditions all are taken into account, and the main goal of an acupuncture treatment is to balance the body, thus erasing the root cause of illness, rather than just treating a byproduct of it. Although acupuncture is rising in popularity, many people still know little or nothing about it, especially since it’s just entered the mainstream world in the last twenty years. In order to give you some insight on what acupuncture is, we’ve answered some general questions about it below: What Does an Acupuncture Treatment Consist Of? Most often, acupuncture involves several weekly or bi-weekly treatments, with most treatments involving about 12 sessions. You’ll be asked to lie down, either face-up or facedown, or on your side depending on where the treatment needs to be administered. Your acupuncturist will insert single-use, disposable needles into acupuncture points in your body. The needles then...