Boosting health, energy and memory as we age are key elements to enjoying a happy and satisfying life. It isn’t surprising that what keeps the body healthy, also keeps the mind active and boosts memory retention.

Friends

Social interaction has been found to greatly increase mood and outlook. One great way to increase social contacts is through volunteerism. Check into programs that can utilize your talents and interests. How about programs at the local library reading aloud to children? Inquire at your local senior center about activities that match your interest and make new friends.

Exercise

Aerobic exercise, such as walking, increases circulation and therefore, the oxygen supply to the brain. In studies, exercise improved short-term memory and the ability to focus.

Diet

Maintaining a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, B vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids is not only good for your heart but also for your brain.

In short, Friends, Exercise and Diet are the keys to keeping your body and brain FED. Oh yeah, in case you hadn’t guessed it, mnemonic games such as making up acronyms to stand for important information is another way to keep your mind and memory sharp.

Links for more information:

World Health

MSN

Senior Health

Travel is a wonderful way to expand your horizons and now that you have retired you have the time. But you may not know just where you want to go or the best things to see. Tour packages and cruises will have itineraries to guide you, but a large part of enjoying any trip are the other travelers with whom you share your time. Will you meet people with whom you have interests in common? What if you could turn your trip into an exciting learning experience?

Elderhostel is a not-for-profit organization that coordinates travel tours for mature adults 55 and older. Whatever your interest, they have a tour for you. Whether you wwant to explore culture, history and art or just hike and bike, Elderhostel has something for you.

Elderhostel has 8000 programs in 90 countries and they promise each one will be an enriching experience. How about discovering the Rockies by rail in Alberta, Canada? Perhaps explore the treasures of Egypt or even St. Louis. Maybe you would love New York and two nights at the Metropolitan Opera House or to walk the beach and see the wild ponies at Chincoteague.

Elderhostel is also dedicated to keeping costs low and providing complete packages with no surprise costs. Before planning your next trip, why not check out Elderhostel?

If each of us had a nickel for every comic strip or scene on a television show about a tired middle-aged wife turning her husband down (for sex, of course) at night because of a headache or whatever reason, we would each be millionaires.  For some reason, it is assumed that people, once they reach a certain age, lose their sex drive and just no longer have any interest in it.  As the teenyboppers would say, “Aren’t you too old for that?” 

Of course Baby Boomers and senior citizens aren’t too old for that.  In fact they are just figuring out what is right for them and are finally comfortable with a long-term partner.  So if the sex drive has faded away, and it isn’t age, what is causing it?

There are a variety of physical reasons that can put a damper on the flame.  And there are also a variety of psychological issues that can contribute to the problem; things like stress, overwork, raising kids and caring for older parents all take their toll.  This article talks about some options you can use to slow your life down and rev your libido up.  And of course, as always, if there are medical issues or prescriptions you take regularly, take to your physician.  He or she will have heard the story before and will likely have some suggestions for you to reclaim one of the best parts of your life.

Leapin’ Libido

40% of the teachers in Florida are Baby Boomers.  That is a good news/bad news story.  The good news is that students have been benefiting from experienced teachers.  The bad news is that 40% of the teaching staff is going to retire all at once.  And that doesn’t include the ancillary staff; secretaries, administrators, custodians and more will be retiring as well. 

When the school year ends, Ellen West, a Florida high school principal, is heading home to begin the life for which she has always been too busy. She plans to show up for regular visits at her granddaughter’s elementary school, focus on her artwork and do all the exercising and reading she’s behind on. She may even return to work in an Educator Preparation Institute, which trains teachers. Spending more time with her husband is on the list, too. And so is spending more time with her five dogs.  “I’ll probably have to live to be 110 to get everything I want to do done,” West joked.
Gainesville.com

Baby Boomers seem to be in two camps; one group isn’t even thinking about retirement.  The careers they have are not ones they plan to leave as they have been lucky enough to find work they love and thrive in.  The other group has a whole other set of plans and this group is in the majority.  They want to retire to enjoy the finer and more exciting parts of life.

The gaps that these Baby Boomers will leave will be difficult to fill.  The job market will open up without a doubt, but the hundreds of thousands of jobs that will become available will be filled with younger and less experienced people.  It will be interesting to follow the trends and impact to society due to these changes.

Boomers Leaving Schools and a Void