Are You Over The Anxiety Hill Yet?

Well to be correct, there is no anxiety hill. But you may have heard the saying … “When you reach 40, you are over the hill” Which hill is this? How big is the hill and what does this mean? The saying actually means this … when you reach 40; you have reached the top of the hill. You have spent the previous 39 years going up hill and now you are about to go down hill. Now as you are reading this notice your thoughts. Do you automatically think that by going down hill life will become worse? You will be more tired, more aches and pains, memory will suffer and stress and anxiety will increase? Well, you didn’t read it right did you. It said … you will go down hill! Have you ever walked up a hill? Is it harder to walk up a hill or down hill? I assume you are thinking it is easier to walk down hill, why? Because it is easier, you even have gravity on your side. So the saying means when you reach 40, life will become easier! If life is going to be easier once you reach 40, then a few things will happen. You will have less aches and pains; you will have more energy and less stress and anxiety. After all, life is going to be better. The saying implies you have learnt form experience and therefore you have found better ways to deal with life’s stresses. Your pressures, stress and anxiety at work will get less … the anxiety and stress of financed will be easier … family and relationships will be more rewarding and fun filled. Life will be better … totally. Can I ask you a personal question? How old are you now? 40 … 50 … older? Or are you 30 … 35? If you are younger than 40 can you see life approaching as being better, having less anxiety and stress, less health problems … or is it the opposite. Anxiety and stress levels are increasing at great knots of speed. If you are over 40 … is life better than I t was when you were 40. Are the anxiety and stress levels easy to deal with … or not. So this saying which has been around for centuries is true … or it should be. So if life is not getting better, what are you doing about it? Are you learning ways to reduce your anxiety and stress levels? Are you trying to be healthier? Or are you just waiting and hoping to be okay? If you are waiting for a miracle, keep waiting. What you should be doing is learning the many self-help ways you can combat your stress and anxiety levels. Doing day to day exercises that take only minutes to do. You then should look forward to being better as you age … less stress … less anxiety… more energy … better health … and a longer life. About the Author: Dr Graeme Teague is an expert on stress and the affects it has on health. His unique and fresh views on anxiety, depression and stress are a welcome change. Visit http://www.fast-stress-relief.com and http://www.fast-stress-relief.com/fast-stress.html to learn more. Read more articles by: Dr Graeme Teague Article Source: www.iSnare.com Share: Del.icio.us Digg Reddit

Dementia - More Than Just Memory Loss

Dementia More than just memory loss As we age, we naturally have difficulty remembering things or finding the right words to say. This is normal. However, Dementia is not normal. The condition causes mental changes that make it difficult to function and carry out our normal lives, not just remember names and dates. Dementia causes a decline in mental functioning, particularly memory, which makes what was once a simple task into an impossible challenge. There is difficulty finding the right words, and confusion sets in when there are too many tasks at once. There can be a change in personality that leads to aggression, paranoia, inappropriate or bizarre behavior, or depression. Dementia in the elderly can take on two different forms; reversible and chronic. When symptoms are reversible, the short-term dementia has been caused by other illnesses or diseases. The National Institute on Aging has classified 100 conditions that can cause short-term dementia. These are often called “pseudodementias”, and are treatable. Some examples include: Adverse reactions to Medications- Side effects mimicking dementia are most commonly caused by antiarthritic medications, anihypertensizes, neuroleptics, hypnotics, and sedatives. Make sure your doctor is monitoring all your medications, including over-the-counter. Emotional Distress- Seniors face a tremendous amount of changes in their lives, sometimes abrupt. Retirement, loss of a loved one or pet, divorce, change in location; all of these can cause depression, anxiety, and can damage physical and mental health. Make sure your physician is informed of these stressors in your life. Metabolic Disturbances- Electrolyte imbalances, hypoglycemia, hypercalcemia, hepatic diseases, pancreatic disorders, renal failure, or liver failure can also cause confusion and effect sleep, appetite, and emotional balance. Hearing and Vision- Problems with sight and hearing can be misinterpreted as Dementia when a person loses the ability to fully perceive their surroundings as they used to. Perform hearing and eye examinations if this seems to be the case. Nutritional Imbalances- Deficiencies of niacin, folate, thiamine, or riboflavin can create impairment of cognition. Clear markers of this include difficulty swallowing, chewing, or digesting food. Loss of the ability to smell, taste, or eat due to dentures or trouble shopping can all contribute to nutritional deficiencies. Other possible causes of acute dementia include: Endocrine abnormalities, infections, Subdural Hematoma (blood clotting on the brain’s surface), brain tumors, and Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). There are also conditions that cause permanent cognitive dysfunction. They include: head traumas, Cerebral Degenerative Diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s chorea. Full medical and neuro-phychological testing is needed to diagnose dementia. CAT scans and MRI’s are usually part of this process. Also the newer PET scans and SPECT scans, which are harder to find. These processes will find whatever may be a treatable cause of acute dementia. Chronic and irreversible dementia requires special care, however. This usually comes in the form of Behavior management techniques, safety precautions within the home, and legal considerations like durable power of attorney. Care is often provided in the home, but in some instances special arrangements need to be made for out of home care. About the Author: Home Comfort Senior Care - Michigan. We provide companionship services, homemaker, and personal care services to allow seniors to stay independent in their homes. Stay Healthy, Happy and Home! Please visit our website - Home Comfort Senior Care Read more articles by: Home Comfort Senior Care, Inc. Article Source: www.iSnare.com Share: Del.icio.us Digg Reddit

Easy Tips To Aging Gracefully

1. Have a purpose in life. Women who enjoy long, fruitful lives inevitably feel that they have a reason to live and a purpose that they are meant to fulfill. This is different for every woman, because each of us is unique. If you are not clear about your purpose in life, begin by following what brings you joy and helps you to feel a part of the whole. Know that it is never too late to begin doing what you love and to cultivate listening more to your inner wisdom than to external "shoulds." 2. Accept and love yourself. There is no one quite like you in this world, nor is there likely to ever be again. Focus on appreciat­ing the incredible gift of life that you have been blessed with, and remind yourself daily that you have something special to offer to the world. Loving and accepting yourself just as you are will free your energy to care for yourself in healthy ways. 3. Learn to relax. Learning to flow with life is essential for your well-being. No matter how healthfully you eat or how much you exercise, if you are chronically stressed your body and your mind will suffer, and your enjoyment of life will be dramatically dimin­ished. Stress literally attacks your body and your brain by creating cell-destroying free radicals. Nourish a sense of physical and emo­tional calm through relaxation exercises, meditation, yoga, and other practices that you find balancing. 4. Eat a diet of whole, natural foods. Forget restrictive diets and focus instead on nourishing your body with a wide variety of deli­cious, fresh, whole, nutrient-dense foods. In addition, supplement your diet with extra vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and other nutrients that are known to support health and longevity. 5. Move your body daily. Regular exercise strengthens your car­diovascular system, muscles, and bones, keeps you flexible, improves your circulation, brightens your mood, and helps you to maintain a healthful weight. Develop an appreciation and enjoyment of moving your body and experiment with different forms of exercise to find what is right for you. 6. Avoid exposure to toxins. Chemicals in foods and water, poi­sons in household and garden products, and environmental pollutants are major causes of free radicals, which damage your body's cells, cause degenerative disease, and accelerate the aging process. Make a deliberate effort to eliminate these harmful substances from your life. 7. Cultivate joy. Your mind plays a critical role in not only your mental health, but in your physical well-being. There are many ways to nourish a positive attitude, including consciously cultivating gratitude. The healthiest people are those who see challenges as opportunities for growth, instead of as obstacles. Feed your spirit daily in simple ways such as spending time in nature, being with family and friends whom you enjoy, and meditation. Discover what feels good to you, and do it every day. About the Author: Author's Sites: Herbal Remedies , Anxiety Treatments and Natural Heartburn Remedies Read more articles by: Shabi Article Source: www.iSnare.com Share: Del.icio.us Digg Reddit

Preparing For Retirement

Most seniors look forward to retirement and have visions of a carefree life without the burden of schedules and tedious obligations. As we approach this golden age, much of our time and energy is spent worrying about our financial strength. Do we have enough money to support ourselves for the rest of our lives? However, very few seniors prepare for the new found gap in created from retirement. This is especially true for those people who were very involved with their work. This gap and sense of loss can later result in us being disenchanted with retirement. Is this all there is? That’s why it’s important for us to develop leisure skills to keep us involved in the community and active in our lives. Making it through the honeymoon phase of retirement is easy. Seniors experience this euphoric energy brought on by the new found freedoms in life. Many seniors, of course, experience extensive traveling during this period. Eventually, however, we fall into a routine. This may be weeks or a few years after retirement. Now we have the danger of falling into the disenchantment phase of retirement. This can be brought on by poor health, loss of a spouse, having little money, feeling like there are few alternatives, and many more. This is where our leisure skills can help keep us healthy and satisfied with our retirement. Staying involved in the community and participating in events can add great enjoyment to our lives and avoid the danger of socially withdrawing which can accelerate the development of illness or disabilities. Some of the places seniors can stay connected with the community are their local senior centers, volunteering and religious organizations. Your local senior center can be a great source for staying involved. Many sponsor clubs, exercise, social events, and travel groups. It’s best to develop these leisure skills as early as possible because seniors find it more challenging to get involved as time passes and run a greater risk of withdrawing. Make an effort to stay connected with your friends and social network and get the newsletter from your local senior center and religious organizations. These can greatly improve your quality of life and offer support during your retirement and periods of change. About the Author: Visit Our Website:MichiganCARE We are dedicated to providing you everything you need to live an enjoyable and healthy lifestyle. Here you will find news relevant to your life and articles focused on your lifestyle. Read more articles by: John Deggendorf Article Source: www.iSnare.com Share: Del.icio.us Digg Reddit

Aging Athlete Injury Rehabilitation

The aging athlete describes the collection of 40-70 year old men and women who continue to participate in physical activity in one way or another. Some of these people are lifelong athletes while others have recently taken up regular exercise. Each aging athlete runs an increased risk of injury to due muscle, bone, tendon, and ligament changes as their body grows older. However, this risk can be counteracted with the necessary preventative measures. The problem with the aging body comes from a number of angles. Those who continue to exercise into their later adult years in fact tend to slow down the aging process. However, as we get older our bones become less stable, our muscles begin to decrease in size, and tendons and ligaments are less elastic. As an athlete who continues to exercise vigorously, these body changes pose an increased risk to injury. In fact, overuse injury amongst the 40-60 year old group is markedly more common compared to an individual in their twenties. The aging athlete is often separated into three different categories to help further explain their problems and needs. The older athlete is someone that is over 50 and still involved competitively in sports. This person most often exercises multiple times per week and has practiced this routine for a number of years. Their main concern is an acute injury that temporarily halts their ability to exercise and compete. The second category of the aging athlete is known as the former athlete. As the title suggests this type of person was at a younger point in their life dedicated to a sport and therefore was in good physical condition. However, as they have aged they have become less involved in exercise and as a result have become deconditioned. The problems that face the former athlete are most often degenerative issues like tendonitis. The final form of the aging athlete is labeled the prematurely mature athlete. This patient is always younger, twenty-five to forty, and has a history of frequent injury. Despite continuing swelling or trauma that the premature mature athlete displays, they continue to participate in demanding sports. There are a number of preventative steps to take in order to decrease the risk of suffering from the common aches and pains the aging athlete suffers from. After all, in order to enjoy activities and reap the benefits of exercise an individual needs to be physically able to perform. One technique that has proven effective is altering your sport periodically. If you are a runner, try switching to cycling for a while to give your knees a rest. Flexibility is also crucial to avoiding muscle tears. Good flexibility also enables your body to align properly which goes a long way in preventing overuse injuries. A form of strengthening exercises also helps the body absorb impact from different sports. Finally, one of the most important things to remember as an aging athlete is aerobic conditioning. The risk of heart disease, among many other cardiovascular issues, can be greatly reduced by maintaining adequate aerobic endurance. Many people blame age for causing our inability to continue to be physically active. However, just the opposite could be true; our physical inactivity is causing us to grow old. Research has proven the benefits of regular exercise and in fact has shown how it can slow the aging process. Unfortunately, there are still physiological changes that result with age and for this reason it is important to understand how to properly treat the body. Talking with a healthcare professional, such as a physical therapist, can help you understand how to care for your body and design a plan for injury prevention while you continue to exercise into old age. About the Author: Rob Tendick is a physical therapy student working to earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy. The combination of athetic experience and working as a physical therapy aide at http://www.westwoodpt.com has given Rob an understanding of injury treatment. Read more articles by: Rob Tendick Article Source: www.iSnare.com Share: Del.icio.us Digg Reddit

Six Simple Steps To Beautiful Skin

How would you like to look thirty-five years old when you are fifty? Is it possible? Sure it is, if you take care of yourself when you are young. But what if you are already forty or fifty? Is it too late? It depends on how well you have been taking care of your body up until now. It can never hurt to slow the aging process whatever age you are by following these six anti-aging steps. These steps do not require any large amount of money or a great deal of time. Each is very easy to do and does not involve any foul-smelling creams or ointments. Anyone can follow these steps and see improvement in their health and looks. First and probably most important is to eat right. This is more important than most people realize. The food we put into our systems either heals our body or destroys it. What foods are best for fighting the aging process? Fruits, vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, spices and cereals top the list. The very best from each category are berries, beans, hazelnuts and walnuts. If you can eat these foods regularly your body will reward you with increased energy and healthy skin. The second step is to minimize the time you spend in the sun. It is very important to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun which can damage your skin and make it tough and wrinkled years ahead of its time. When you go outside be sure to use a makeup that has sunscreen in it. If you are going to be outside for awhile, use a sunscreen. The number on the sunscreen indicates the length of time it will protect your skin. The bigger the number, the longer it should provide protection. The third step to more beautiful skin is to not smoke. If you don’t smoke now, be sure you don’t start. If you already smoke, quit. Smoking cigarettes is bad for your insides and bad for your skin. The fourth step to having young and healthy skin is to take high quality vitamins and minerals, especially Omega-3 and antioxidants. Whether you get the Omega-3 in fish oil, flax oil, or any other way, it is one of the most important supplements your body needs. Antioxidants fight the things called “free radicals” that are in your body attacking your healthy cells. That is actually what causes aging. So the antioxidants you get from your food (especially berries, beans and nuts) and from supplements helps your body destroy those free radicals, which leads to better health, more energy, and slower aging. The fifth step is daily exercise. The best type of exercise is about thirty minutes of light aerobics, walking, or swimming. There is no need for a heavy workout. This light exercise, done daily, will greatly improve your energy level and help your body feel younger. The sixth and final step is perhaps the most difficult for many people: Get a good sleep every night. Our lives are so full that many of us find it very hard to get to sleep before midnight. Then the alarm goes off at six in the morning and another full day with too many activities has started again. This is terrible for your skin (and for your whole system). Our bodies need about eight hours of sleep every night. If you need to reduce the number of activities you are involved in, examine what could be eliminated from your schedule. These six steps are not hard, but they might require a major shift in lifestyle. However, this shift will be worth it years from now when you look and feel years younger than your peers who continued to eat fast foods, did not exercise, and grabbed a few hours of sleep each night. About the Author: Discover many more beauty tips at http://www.beautytipsjournal.com. You'll find lots of information on how to make yourself attractive and beautiful naturally. Read more articles by: Carol Stack Article Source: www.iSnare.com Share: Del.icio.us Digg Reddit

Six Simple Steps To Beautiful Skin

How would you like to look thirty-five years old when you are fifty? Is it possible? Sure it is, if you take care of yourself when you are young. But what if you are already forty or fifty? Is it too late? It depends on how well you have been taking care of your body up until now. It can never hurt to slow the aging process whatever age you are by following these six anti-aging steps. These steps do not require any large amount of money or a great deal of time. Each is very easy to do and does not involve any foul-smelling creams or ointments. Anyone can follow these steps and see improvement in their health and looks. First and probably most important is to eat right. This is more important than most people realize. The food we put into our systems either heals our body or destroys it. What foods are best for fighting the aging process? Fruits, vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, spices and cereals top the list. The very best from each category are berries, beans, hazelnuts and walnuts. If you can eat these foods regularly your body will reward you with increased energy and healthy skin. The second step is to minimize the time you spend in the sun. It is very important to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun which can damage your skin and make it tough and wrinkled years ahead of its time. When you go outside be sure to use a makeup that has sunscreen in it. If you are going to be outside for awhile, use a sunscreen. The number on the sunscreen indicates the length of time it will protect your skin. The bigger the number, the longer it should provide protection. The third step to more beautiful skin is to not smoke. If you don’t smoke now, be sure you don’t start. If you already smoke, quit. Smoking cigarettes is bad for your insides and bad for your skin. The fourth step to having young and healthy skin is to take high quality vitamins and minerals, especially Omega-3 and antioxidants. Whether you get the Omega-3 in fish oil, flax oil, or any other way, it is one of the most important supplements your body needs. Antioxidants fight the things called “free radicals” that are in your body attacking your healthy cells. That is actually what causes aging. So the antioxidants you get from your food (especially berries, beans and nuts) and from supplements helps your body destroy those free radicals, which leads to better health, more energy, and slower aging. The fifth step is daily exercise. The best type of exercise is about thirty minutes of light aerobics, walking, or swimming. There is no need for a heavy workout. This light exercise, done daily, will greatly improve your energy level and help your body feel younger. The sixth and final step is perhaps the most difficult for many people: Get a good sleep every night. Our lives are so full that many of us find it very hard to get to sleep before midnight. Then the alarm goes off at six in the morning and another full day with too many activities has started again. This is terrible for your skin (and for your whole system). Our bodies need about eight hours of sleep every night. If you need to reduce the number of activities you are involved in, examine what could be eliminated from your schedule. These six steps are not hard, but they might require a major shift in lifestyle. However, this shift will be worth it years from now when you look and feel years younger than your peers who continued to eat fast foods, did not exercise, and grabbed a few hours of sleep each night. About the Author: Discover many more beauty tips at http://www.beautytipsjournal.com. You'll find lots of information on how to make yourself attractive and beautiful naturally. Read more articles by: Carol Stack Article Source: www.iSnare.com Share: Del.icio.us Digg Reddit

Top Summer Tips For Retirees

Summer is a wonderful time to be outdoors and to be active. It is the vacation season for millions. But summer can be a very dangerous time as well. And, like it or not, once we reach the age of 65 or we develop heart disease or high blood pressure, we are at greater risk of suffering a heat-related illness during the summer. Here, then, are my top summer health and safety tips for retirees. 1. Know the symptoms of heat-related illnesses. The greatest risk, of course if heat stroke. But other problems can also occur due to summer heat. Thirst and less frequent urination are signs of dehydration. Prickly heat bumps are a really irritating skin rash. Some people experience cramps and swelling of the hands and feet. It is also possible to experience heat exhaustion (clammy skin, paleness, dizziness, nausea, fever, and headache). Heat stroke symptoms include: sluggishness, rapid heart rate and breathing, confusion and irritability, high body temperature, intense muscle aches, fever, diarrhea or nausea and even fainting and convulsions. Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. People suffering heat stroke need to get to a hospital immediately. 2. Drink lots of water throughout the day. Water cools and prevents dehydration. Be sure to drink lots of water throughout the day, not just with meals. Sports drinks are also helpful. But avoid drinks with a lot of caffeine, lots of sugar, or alcohol because they can cause you to lose more body fluids. 3. Be smart about physical exertion. It is best to limit exercise to moderate activity. Plan to engage in any activities that require great physical exertion either early in the day (before it gets really hot) or late at night (after the sun goes down and it cools off). You will find that you have more energy at these times and that you place yourself at less risk for heat-related problems. 4. Protect your skin. Protecting your skin with either a hat, clothing or sun screen will not only prevent an uncomfortable sun burn, but it will protect your skin against the damaging UV rays of the sun and protect you from potential skin cancer. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30+ or higher is the best choice. If you plan to be in the water, it is important to use a water resistant sunscreen. You can also protect your face, neck and ears by wearing a hat with a wide brim. 5. Think about your clothing. Most of us dress for the occasion or the purpose. But as we grow older and our skin becomes more sensitive and our bodies are more likely to feel the effects of heat, we also need to think about what we wear a bid differently in summer. Of course, we want to wear cool clothing. Lightweight clothing is best, but with a tight weave, if possible to keep off the sun. Remember that natural fabrics breathe better than synthetics. And don’t forget that black clothing tends to absorb heat while white clothing tends to reflect it. 6. Know how heat and sun interact with your medications. Some medicines make us more sensitive to the sun (increased photosensitivity), more sensitive to heat, or more likely to become dehydrated. A quick conversation with your physician or pharmacist will alert you to problems that could arise due to your medications. 7. Pay attention to Air Quality Warnings. Breathing difficulties are more common as we grow older. Smog, pollutants, allergens and humidity can make it difficult to breathe. Check your television weather information or check online to see what the air quality is before engaging in strenuous activities or before deciding to spend time outdoors. 8. Don’t forget to protect your eyes. The UV rays of the sun can also damage your eyes, and will be uncomfortable, especially if you are developing cataracts. Always protect your eyes when outdoors by wearing tinted lenses, a hat with a wide brim, or sunglasses. 9. Stay as cool as you can. Staying indoors in an air conditioned place is the best way to protect yourself from the summer heat. Electric fans might be helpful, up to a point, but once the temperature passes the 90 degree mark, they really don’t do enough. If you don’t have air conditioning, you might want to visit a friend or family member, go to a public place, like a library, shopping mall, etc. or a “cooling center” to spend time in cooler air. Even a few hours in a cool environment can help you prevent heat-related illness. The best time to go to a cooling center is always during the hottest part of the day. 10. Rest. Try to space out your activities so you have time to rest between them. If you begin to feel the effects of summer heat, stop what you are doing and rest for a bit before continuing. The less active we are the less our bodies are stressed by heat. In addition, be safe by paying attention to normal safety tips. When traveling, pull over to eat snacks. This year, we should all be particularly careful where we swim and especially where we dive since many lakes and ponds have been affected by this year’s droughts and have significantly lower water levels. And, be very careful with fire of any kind. Copyright 2007 by Dr. Cynthia Barnett About the Author: Dr Cynthia Barnett is a Retirement Lifestyle Expert. Through her coaching, keynotes, workshops and seminars she inspires people to "re-fire" their lives to live happier, satisfying and more meaningful lifes. Personal coaching individually or in groups can help you create a road map for your second phase of life. Athletes know they need coaches to help them learn quickly and support them on their journey. To learn more about her mentoring and program offerings, go to: http://www.refiredontretire.com. Read more articles by: Cynthia Barnett Article Source: www.iSnare.com Share: Del.icio.us Digg Reddit