Ah, the holiday season: the parties, the gift-shopping, the decorations, the family and friends…
The stress!
According to a Healthline study reported in the Harvard University Medical School’s Department of Neurobiology newsletter, 62% of study respondents reported that they experience “very” or “somewhat” elevated levels of stress over the holiday season.
Since stress often has a significant impact on health and wellness, it’s important to set priorities and head off stress before it affects you.
‘Tis the Season for giving, in the form of both gifts for friends and loved ones, as well as donations to charitable organizations, which receive the bulk of their annual donations at the end of the year. (While it’s true that we feel more generous during this time of year, another reason for the surge is folks looking to maximize their annual tax deductions before the New Year).
By the (Gas Log) Fire-Side
A November Poem, inspired by Robert Browning
How well I know what I mean to do
When dark evenings come after clocks have changed;
Inside my home, with worries few
After pleasantries with neighbors are exchanged,
Celebrating friendships old and new.
“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
In the list of celebrations filled with food and family, and steeped in tradition, two holidays stand out that are unique to Americans: Independence Day and Thanksgiving.
Hot dogs and apple pie dominate the menu of summer, and the day is punctuated by traditional fireworks displays. Outdoor meals and activities are dictated largely by the season.
November’s holiday normally takes place indoors, with family gatherings (and a “kids’ table”) where the fare includes a turkey, potatoes with gravy, and pumpkin pie – foods reputed to have been a part of the first Thanksgiving.
Eating right, exercising, and eliminating unhealthy habits are some of the basic tools to achieving optimum health at any age. Often overlooked, however, is how quality of sleep affects your well-being.
Since comfort in your designated sleeping space is directly linked to sleep quality, taking steps to improve your comfort can help you sleep better and enjoy a better quality of life.
Along with jaunts to Ellijay for apples, including a sweater in our daily wardrobe, and ads for Medicare Open Enrollment, October is the month in which we discuss with our medical professionals whether (or when) to take our FLU SHOTS.
Settling in to your new home goes beyond picking out fixtures and flooring, and designing around new couches and curtains. Active adults often wonder how they can expand beyond the four walls and become a part of the overall community.
For more than two decades, the fourth Saturday in October has been recognized as Make A Difference Day, encouraging people of all ages to find a cause they believe in and volunteer.
Aging gracefully certainly has its perks, but the true measure of success is to age healthfully.
October has been designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with campaigns to increase awareness about prevention, symptoms, and treatment of the disease.
That time of year thou may’st ‘round here behold
When leaves are crisp and flowers a golden hue
And chillier nights in blankets ourselves we fold
Anticipating festivals with apples, and sweaters new.
If you’re like many of the folks who have recently moved into their new home in a Windsong community, one of your top priorities is meeting your neighbors. After all, aside from right-sizing your home, and being close to family, having neighbors who share similar life experiences ranks near the top for reasons people purchase in an Active Adult community.