Blog Posts

Healthy New Year's Resolutions

The start of a new year is a great opportunity to assess the past and focus on making changes that will positively impact the future. Keeping in mind that old habits die hard, especially for adults as we get older, it’s important to take a moment to set some realistic new goals that will inspire you to escape the routine and embark on a path to a healthier, happier you. Check out these healthy New Year’s resolutions suited for active adults. How Are You? To genuinely improve your overall fitness requires an accurate understanding of your current health status and the habits that are impeding your wellness objectives. For example, you may already be fairly active, but need an outlet that reduces anxiety and stress . Yoga and meditation may be what your workout strategy is missing. Or maybe it’s blood sugar that is your issue, so begin by researching low sugar dessert and cooking options. Know thyself to improve thyself. Put One Foot in Front of the Other Every Day Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity. So, even if you are not fond of the gym, set a goal to get up and walk regularly. If 30 minutes is too strenuous, start with 10 and work your way up. Join a walking club and socialize your way to better health. Get Out the Bucket List There is no time like the present to cross an item off the old bucket list. Whether it’s planning a trip, signing up for a class you’ve always wanted to take, or starting that memoir, bringing aspirations to fruition is both mentally and spiritually uplifting. Get Connected Staying in touch with friends and loved ones is critical to health and happiness, and has never been easier. The technology is user friendly and available. If you’re not tech savvy, ask a friend—or grandchild—for a quick tutorial and see what a difference it makes in your life to reconnect with old friends and make new memories with new ones. Explore New Volunteer Opportunities As a healthy New Year’s resolution, nothing checks off the boxes like volunteering. Find a new way to give back to the community and you will increase your sense of accomplishment, enhance self-confidence, and engage with like-minded individuals, all while using your time in a meaningful way and helping others. Enjoy the Grandkids Stop saving the grandkids for holidays and special occasions. Now that you have the time, make it a point to reach out to them more often and strengthen that special bond. They will benefit from the contact as much as you will. Challenge Your Brain Keeping your brain active is every bit as critical to your health as moving your body. This year commit to sharpening your cognitive skills with new information and mental exercises. Take a class to learn a new subject, maybe even a foreign language. If crosswords are your thing, make sure to continually increase the level of difficulty to keep your brain working harder. The pursuit of health and happiness is about enjoying life to the fullest. As you set about accomplishing your healthy New Year’s resolutions, remember to have fun! Happy, Healthy 2018!

Stay Safe During Your Next Yoga Class

Whether you are a junior or a senior, there is a yoga practice for you! Strengthen the body. Quiet the mind. Enrich the spirit. Yoga is truly the ultimate multi-tasking discipline. As more and more baby boomers and older adults discover the benefits of practicing yoga, studios are filling up with devotees who are striving to stay strong and flexible even in the face of Father Time’s many daunting obstacles. For the 55+ crowd, yoga can be a significant factor in maintaining the muscle tone and balance that prevent life-altering falls. It can also increase range of motion in aging joints. Yoga breathing techniques can steady the nervous system and help combat depression. As with any fitness pursuit, the object of the exercise is to reap the rewards — not to exacerbate existing issues or wind up with a new injury that puts you on the sidelines. The key is to listen to your body and find the right balance between enthusiasm and ability. Seriously, at this stage of the game, who among us doesn’t know what happens when the former overwhelms the latter? Yoga is Flexible — Even if You Aren’t The beauty of yoga is that is it so easily adapted to accommodate a wide spectrum of physical abilities and limitations. Those who are slightly less flexible can enjoy a yoga regimen that is just as enjoyable — and equally, if not more, beneficial. And while you may associate yoga with a younger demographic, the truth is, many people never had the freedom to even think about yoga until they became of a certain age and had more leisure time. In your current reality, it is more than just a form of exercise. Think of it as a tool to promote longevity, enhance quality of life, and create social connections that are so important as we age. If at First You Feel Overwhelmed, Just Breathe Although it’s possible to learn from books and videos, the safest way for you to begin a yoga practice is through in-person training with an instructor. In a gentle yoga class, your teacher will observe how your body moves and teach you how to minimize the risk of injury by adapting poses to suit your skill level. It is important to stay within the limits of what feels right for you and not strain yourself. Hatha, a gentle yoga practice designed to align and calm the body, mind, and spirit is a great place to start. Iyengar yoga with its emphasis on making postures accessible through the use of props is also a good choice for older adults. Viniyoga and Kripalu, both of which make a point of tailoring the practice to fit each individual, can be great options as well. Even if you begin by focusing on breathing and gradually transition into poses, you will find yourself becoming more and more flexible over time. Those with limited mobility may want to try chair yoga, in which all poses are done with the support of a chair. There is also water yoga, which is especially therapeutic as the body feels weightless and moves more easily under water. If you have arthritis or osteoporosis, yoga can be a positive addition to your routine, providing you work one-on-one with a qualified instructor. Check Out a Class Before you begin actively participating, you may want to observe a yoga class to make sure the pace and poses being taught seem compatible with your goals and physical condition. Consider also whether the instructor is a good communicator and creates a non-competitive environment where students are encouraged to challenge themselves without straining. Be sure to start where you are — not where you think you should be. If a pose causes pain, stop what you’re doing and your instructor will suggest an adaptation. Five Simple Guidelines for Safe Yoga for Seniors: Start slowly. It’s a marathon. Not a sprint. Even two 5-minute sessions a day can impact posture and wellbeing. Be kind to yourself and be patient with your body. Respect your limits and don’t strain yourself. Communicate with your instructor so he or she can keep you safe from injury with modified poses when necessary. Set realistic goals and don’t give up! Your positive attitude toward yoga can increase your positive outlook on life. Namaste

Should You Go Digital? Tips for Keeping Up With Technology

Remember when the generation gap meant your parents hated your clothes, hair, music, and—if you were a teenage girl—most probably your boyfriend? They just didn’t get you, man. Today’s technology has boosted that gap to a whole new level. Your kids and grandkids are plugged into a fast-paced world of apps and virtual reality that has revolutionized their existence. Without a willingness to understand at least the basics, you will be stuck on the outside looking in, totally disconnected from their lives. Seriously, it’s hard to annoy your children with voicemail messages anymore. They don’t even bother to check them. Much more efficient to stalk them on Facebook or shoot them a nagging text. And they will go totally nuts when you discover emojis, those funny little expressive icons. It’s worth it to find a class that is designed to teach seniors technology just for that! It’s Not How. It’s Why. The truth is for most active adults, the disconnect with technology is related to function more than form. It’s not about being incapable of learning how to connect to the internet or operate all the various devices. It’s about not understanding just how this gadgetry can be relevant to life at this stage. Finding out about the apps and software that meet your needs will elevate you from observer to participant and make your life both easier and more fun. Digital Health and Wellness The right apps and software can help keep you on top of your healthcare. For example, there are accessories and apps to help check your blood sugar. There are also fitness apps to bring the gym to you wherever you are. There are games and brain exercises to keep your mind engaged and alert. And remember, the device goes wherever you go so whether you’re on the couch or on the move, it’s always handy. Stay in Touch Texting the kids is one thing. Video chatting can make the miles between you and your long distance loved ones evaporate. You can check out the grandkids’ school projects or take a tour of their new house and keep the family connection strong and vital. Just wait until you show them you know how to facetime. That will do them in! And once you know how to upload, download and send photos by text or email, your kids can easily keep you in their loop. Back to School Your devices offer unlimited learning opportunities. As an active adult, you may have more time on your hands than ever before. Tap into the resources at your fingertips to learn a new craft, take a mini course, listen to a stimulating podcast or chat with others from all over the world who share your passions and interests. With a little information, the information highway can be yours to navigate. As you realize how easy it is to get connected, you’ll wonder why you hesitated. Seniors and technology, a match made in 21st century heaven.

Declutter and Rightsize Your Life

As Bob Dylan so aptly said, “The times they are a-changin'!” And let’s face it, if you are more than peripherally familiar with the man and his music, the times may have already changed for you! The kids are gone, or soon will be. Dinner table discussions that once focused on soccer practice are now all about rightsizing your life and embracing this new chapter. Rightsizing Definition So, what does it really mean to rightsize your life? It literally means leaving a house that has outlived its purpose and relocating to a living space that is the right size and style for your current life needs. Simply put: When your house just feels wrong, it’s time to right-size. Rightsizing vs Downsizing To be clear, rightsizing doesn’t always include downsizing. Downsizing involves moving to a smaller space and there are times in one’s life that call for a larger home. However, when it comes to active adulthood, it’s impossible to separate the two. At this stage of life, downsizing is critical to rightsizing. You want a comfortable, manageable space that provides easy, stress-free living. Rightsizing into your downsized space means an enhanced lifestyle, filled with opportunities and freedom from home ownership headaches. How to Downsize Your Home As you contemplate downsizing from your house of many years to an apartment home, and moving to a community that is geared specifically for the you of today and tomorrow, the first hurdle is going head to head with decades worth of stuff. You know, the flotsam and jetsam that is no longer relevant to your life but continues to be unnecessary, stressful baggage. Whether you already have one foot out the door or are still pondering your immediate future, rightsizing means some of your stuff has got to go. Your extraneous possessions are not going to enhance your future. Sifting through the accumulation of a lifetime is no easy task, unless of course, you are completely organized and live in a totally pristine and clutter-free environment. Of course. Helpful Tips for Downsizing from House to Apartment Home Start Small Once you’ve committed to the project, start small with one drawer, or one pile or one cabinet. Make this task a part of your regular weekly or even monthly routine. You’ve got to start somewhere. You’ll be surprised how satisfying that first clean drawer feels. Set the Timer Set aside an hour. Set the timer and give yourself permission to quit when the hour is up. If that’s too much, try smaller increments of time more often. Maybe 10 minutes a few days a week will work. Don’t make yourself crazy. There is no clutter police to dictate strategy. It’s up to you to determine the best way to accomplish this task. Yes. No. Maybe? To keep, or not to keep. That is the question. Everything you sort through will either remain part of your life, be tossed away or be sold or given away. The tricky items are the ones that land in the dreaded maybe pile. Those will turn up again, so it might be best to decide yes or no now and save additional angst on the second pass? Maybe a quick tour around to create a preliminary list of must-haves will speed up the process. A Little Help If you find you are spinning your wheels, help is but a phone call away. The member directory of the National Association of Professional Organizers is filled with pros who can help you wade through the piles. Depending on the scope of the job, you may prefer a certified relocation and transition specialist. As you interview candidates you will get a sense of what your project entails. Some professionals charge an hourly fee. Others charge per project. Keep in mind you will be working closely with this person and going through the intimate details of your past and present so be selective to find someone you feel comfortable with. As you prepare for this mission, remember you’ll be basically taking an arduous hike down good—and bad—memory lane. Decluttering can be an emotional journey, but also cathartic and freeing. Explore more about rightsizing firsthand from our guest author, Dan Carlson, as he takes us through his journey of rightsizing and finding happiness at Overture Ridgmar. Check out the first of the four-part "Home Sweet Apartment" blog series here .

Home Sweet Apartment: Settling In

In the conclusion of his four-part series on “rightsizing,” Dan Carlson explains the joyful process of making new friends and becoming an active part of a welcoming community. In his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey suggests that each of us pause to consider two things: who are we, and what do we want in life? Then, he says, we should strive to achieve that which we have envisioned. This is exactly what Bonnie and I did as we went about “rightsizing” our lives, and the outcome has been better than we had any right to expect. Full disclosure, there were times during this process when we got frustrated (Why won’t the cable TV people answer the phone?), and others when we got tired (Time for a nap!). But now that we are settled in and enjoying the lifestyle and living arrangement we had imagined, any minor challenges we faced along the way are history. Our neighbors here at Overture Ridgmar are overwhelmingly warm and welcoming, and we are enjoying becoming acquainted with a community of folks about our age with whom we share so similar interests. Every week there is a range of social opportunities—happy hours, breakfasts, etc.—affording the chance to get to know more about our neighbors and our neighborhood. One morning each week, a group of men at Overture Ridgmar gather and drive to a nearby restaurant for breakfast. There are many good things about living here, but getting to know these fellows, all of whom, like me, are retired, is at the top of my list. An outsider seeing this group of guys gathered at a breakfast table would not know the backgrounds or variety of experiences represented therein, but I do, and I am grateful to be able to join them. Residents who enjoy board or card games have a number of choices each week, while those interested in physical fitness can participate in Tai Chi, Yoga and Line Dancing. Bonnie and I feel especially lucky to be directly down the hall from the fitness room giving us easy access to a treadmill, an exercise bike and a cross-trainer. Outdoors, there is a paved walking path and a community garden, along with a large and lovely pool (which our grandchildren love). An added benefit of Overture Ridgmar is its location in the city of Fort Worth, a town we love. We have a range of entertainment and cultural attractions, great shopping, very nice restaurants, and quality medical care within easy reach. Traffic had been a major problem where we lived before, so we are delighted that we now drive on streets that are far-less congested. When we decided on Overture Ridgmar, there was one residence available in the floor plan we liked and we secured it. For us, our apartment—our home—is perfect. The layout gives us two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, high ceilings, a terrific kitchen, a washer and dryer, and colossal storage. Our place also has a separate office with French doors and, notably, thick walls and the resultant quiet and solitude we were seeking. One very important reason for our move was the desire to be free from the maintenance and upkeep associated with home ownership. Thanks to the outstanding management team at Overture Ridgmar, that vision is a reality. It is comforting to know relief from any maintenance issues is but a phone call away. Recently, one of our new neighbors put it this way: “When I owned a house and sat on the back porch, all I saw in the yard was things that needed to be done!” Here at our new home, we have a good-sized deck which we have furnished with two comfortable chairs and an assortment of lovely flowering plants. When Bonnie and I sit out there in the evening, all we see is the beautiful view. And we are loving it! For Dan and Bonnie, every day at Overture is an opportunity to expand their horizons and enjoy this new exciting chapter of life to the fullest. They are thrilled to have left the stressful responsibilities of homeownership behind, and are loving being part of a thriving, enthusiastic community of peers with whom they are busy making new memories. Contact us to become part of the Overture family today. Like Dan and Bonnie, discover the joys of the rightsizing experience. ABOUT AUTHOR Daniel Carlson Daniel Carlson is a retired police officer, former law enforcement educator and present-day active author. He and his high school sweetheart Bonnie, have been married for over half a century and have recently co-authored a book titled, “Home Sweet Apartment…Getting Rightsized in Our Seventies.” The young at heart couple are currently loving life at Overture Ridgmar , which is in the Great State of Texas, and in purposefully close proximity to their three children and seven terrific grandchildren. Connect with Dan via: Website: www.danbonbooks.com Facebook: Facebook.com/danbonbooks Blog: www.danbonbooks.blog

Home Sweet Apartment: Making the Move

Dan and Bonnie Carlson had just committed to a new life at Overture Ridgmar and were thrilled with their choice. But in between signing on the dotted line and becoming part of an exciting and stimulating community, lay the daunting task of moving. The idea of packing up an entire lifetime of accumulated stuff and figuring out what to keep and what to leave behind, was both overwhelming and exhausting. In part 3 of Dan’s four-part series on “rightsizing,” Dan shares their strategy for success. As soon as we settled on Overture Ridgmar for our new home, we listed our house with a realtor and crossed our fingers in hopes that things would move quickly. And they did. Our place sold in less than one day! We celebrated our good fortune, of course, but as euphoria faded to reality, the enormity of the task that lay before us came into focus. We knew that time would be an issue, for the buyers had asked to close in thirty days and we had agreed. The clock was ticking, and there was no time to waste! When we began to identify the veritable mountain of chores that had to be accomplished in such a short period of time, we were reminded of a popular aphorism: Question: How do you eat an elephant? Answer: One bite at a time. Our solution to avoid being overwhelmed by events was a simple one. We compiled a list of things that needed doing, and then went about accomplishing them in a gradual and methodical fashion. We would check off items as they were completed, and add new things as they came to our attention. Sticking to this comprehensive but flexible list (updated regularly) gave us a feeling of confidence, for we could see that we were actually getting things done. And much like eating an elephant, we knew everything could not be completed on the first day or even in the first week. This project would take time, and it would be important to stay rested and focused. To that end, Bonnie and I made a commitment to continue one of our hallowed traditions, afternoon naps. And while it may seem counterintuitive to carve out time for naps, or other diversions, in the midst of all that needed to be done, the value of setting aside time for rest cannot be overstated. Over the fifty years of our marriage, Bonnie and I had accumulated a lot of “stuff,” and much of it had outlived its usefulness. In preparing for the move, we separated items into four categories: Take With, Give Away, Donate and Discard. Our children helped by identifying and accepting items they were fond of, and several local charities were appreciative of the things we gave them. We took this process seriously, and were uplifted by the cathartic effect of being freed from having to store and haul around an enormous load of unnecessary baggage. Although we had not yet selected a mover, I was certain about one thing: I was not going to be doing it myself! Any thoughts I might have had about a career as a mover ended years ago when a friend asked me to help move a piano to an upstairs room in his home. With only a few minor abrasions, some damaged wallboard and a broken railing, we finally succeeded, but I learned a valuable lesson that day: it is worth paying professional movers who know what they are doing. Now that the move was behind them, Dan and Bonnie eagerly faced the next adventure: Becoming an active and integral part of their new community. In the final chapter of his “rightsizing” series, Dan celebrates completing this life affirming transition. ABOUT AUTHOR Daniel Carlson Daniel Carlson is a retired police officer, former law enforcement educator and present-day active author. He and his high school sweetheart Bonnie, have been married for over half a century and have recently co-authored a book titled, “Home Sweet Apartment…Getting Rightsized in Our Seventies.” The young at heart couple are currently loving life at Overture Ridgmar , which is in the Great State of Texas, and in purposefully close proximity to their three children and seven terrific grandchildren. Connect with Dan via: Website: www.danbonbooks.com Facebook: Facebook.com/danbonbooks Blog: www.danbonbooks.blog