Warm and pleasant greetings. We all welcome in fall, so says the calendar.
We hope you are enjoying the season’s new beginning. Fall is a favorite time for many people. School students and parents are well into the school activities now. It’s ballgames, practice, church revivals and festivals. It’s time for a short or a last-minute vacation. There are a few new TV shows now that summer, and the reruns, have ended.
September is Healthy Aging Month, promoting healthy aging practices and raising awareness about the challenges and opportunities associated with aging.
It’s never too late to get started (if you have the energy). You want early aging you can enjoy, maybe a new career, a new sport or hobby. Of course, I have passed early aging but made it the best at that time. These things can improve your physical, mental, social and even financial wellbeing. I know several individuals who are now enjoying traveling. Let this month motivate and inspire you.
Who says you can’t try it!
Here are 10 tips for reinventing yourself during Healthy Aging Month. I list these in condensed form (to save space), as the list is well explained.
1. Do not act your age or at least what you think your current age should act like. Some people may say this is denial, but positive thinking goes a long way toward feeling better about yourself.
2. Be positive in your conversations and actions everyday. It may sound cruel, but distance yourself from those who are negative. Smile often, as it’s contagious and wards off naysayers.
3. Have negative friends who complain all the time and talk about how awful everything is? Drop them. They will only depress you and stop you from moving forward.
4. Walk like a vibrant person. Make a conscious effort to make big strides.
5. Stand up straight! Look at yourself in the mirror, shoulders back, chin up — see, your neck looks better. You look great and feel better.
6. How’s your smile? Your teeth are just as important to your health as the rest of your body. Nothing says old so much as yellowing teeth.
7. Lonely? Stop brooding and complaining about having no friends or family; volunteer somewhere to stay in touch.
8. Start walking, not only for your health, but to see your neighbors.
9. Take this month to set a time for an annual checkup or health screening.
10. Find your inner artist. It is luring inside you, just waiting to be tapped. Sign up for classes (painting, craft, music, etc., or something else). You will be surprised you can do it!
Have you checked your air conditioner/furnace filter? Now is a good time to have a maintenance check. Our neighbor helped us with the filter cleaning and replacing. This was the furnace filter that’s checked two or three times a year. However, whether it’s the furnace or the return air filter, either certainly needs changing out on a regular schedule and especially if dust/dirt is visible, air flow is slow, or there is increased dust or unusual burning or odor from vents or furnace.
It’s best not to let them get in this condition. You certainly don’t want costly repairs or premature system failure.
Perhaps, there is some kind of pollen in the air all the time. Allergy season varies depending on the specific allergen and location. These allergies are real and can be severe, especially for adults and youngsters.
If you have allergies, you want to manage your symptoms. There are indoor allergens such as pet dandruff, mold and dust. Wearing a mask and protective eyeglasses helps when outdoors. Wearing glasses, goggles or sunglasses helps block airborne allergens from reaching your eyes. Masks help from inhaling and irritating the nasal passage.
Always wash hands and face after being outside, especially after an outdoor activity or chore.
Enjoy life today. Be blessed.
