Creativity And Engagement Through Crafting

Are you exploring all that retirement life has to offer? If so, you may be considering how best to support the lifestyle that youve been looking forward to. Choosing how to spend your time is likely at the top of the list and is a well-deserved gift.While working or raising children, having time to call your own may have seemed illusive. But retirees often celebrate having the opportunity to take up a left-behind hobby or to rediscover a passion they once had.More than a few, however, may be unsure which activities might result in feelings of zeal. You may be wondering if youd like to rediscover an old passion or begin looking for a new one.If youre defining your retirement path toward aging well, the following tips may help you successfully with your search.What is a passion?When you feel passionate about something, you experience a depth of feeling that goes beyond just enthusiasm. People often describe the sensation as losing a sense of time and place when they are engaged with their passion.A few examples may include: Painting, sculpting, or creative writing Learning a new musical instrument Helping care for abandoned animals Visiting every major league baseball stadium in the U.S. Providing companionship to the elderly who live alone Helping elementary students learn to read Volunteering at a homeless shelter You may also be the object of your passion. Some retirees commit to finding ways to live their lives to the fullest to aging well. They may dedicate a certain number of hours every week for getting in physical shape or exercising to better their mental health.Others may decide to embark on an encore career and are determined to put their efforts where their passions can be expressed. Giving politics a try and running for a local office may be the focus for some. Becoming a kindergarten teacher might be anothers dream in order to fulfill a long-held passion to work with little ones.Aging and rediscovering your passionsThe journey of life can take us down many paths and along the way we may find we had to leave behind personal interests so we could concentrate on the more pressing tasks at hand. Growing older often returns the opportunity to finally have time to spend as you like.If youre interested in rediscovering your passions or creating new ones, consider these suggestions: Browse through a college course catalog This can be a wonderful place to jumpstart your search if youre feeling a little lost. You dont need to sign up for a class, although that can also be a great idea. But look for any subjects that pique your interest and let your mind explore from there. Talk to your friends and family If youre having trouble zeroing in on what your interests are, ask those who know you best what they think. They will likely point out your frequent topics of conversations or areas that theyve seen you become excited about. What do you do or think about the most? Sometimes we dont even realize how we like to spend our time. Look back on activities you choose, what television shows you watch or books you read. See if there is a pattern you can capture. This could be your starting point to define a passion. Dont be afraid to experiment Keep an open mind and dont reject any initial ideas because you assume theyre not passion-worthy. Be willing to try different options and you might discover something about yourself that had remained unnoticed. Have the right attitude It can help to view this process as an adventure instead of feeling pressured to pick the right passion. There are no wrong answers. Keeping a positive attitude can help open yourself up to new possibilities. Dont give up. Keep searching.Source: Forbes contributor Rob PascaleHow an independent living community can helpRetirement living can offer some of the best opportunities to age well. Where you live can make all the difference as it provides a supportive environment for you to discover and live your passions.There are also features in an independent living community that can play an active role in your passions. Consider a few of the advantages youll find that contribute to creating an enriched life, such as: Remaining meaningfully engaged Making friends and sharing your life experiences Participating in educational, informative and fun activities Enjoying an active social life with others Belonging to a larger community Youll find all of these benefits and more at an independent living community. Along with the easy and maintenance-free lifestyle, youll have even more time to spend on what brings you the most joy.

At Grey Matters Health, we're always watching for news articles to help inform and encourage you in your brain health journey. The recent article "Doctors Share The 14 Things You Can Do To Lower Dementia Risk Right Now" from Womens Health provides expert-backed strategies to help reduce the risk of developing dementia. Dementia, including Alzheimers, affects millions globally, but proactive lifestyle changes can significantly lower the likelihood of cognitive decline.Key recommendations include maintaining a healthy weight, managing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, and quitting smoking. Cardiovascular health is vital, as a healthy heart promotes better brain function. Incorporating physical activity, such as walking or strength training, and eating a balanced diet, like the Mediterranean or DASH diet, supports brain health.Mental stimulation is equally important. Engage in activities that challenge your mind, like puzzles, reading, or learning new skills. Social connections also play a crucial role; maintaining an active social life helps combat loneliness and improves cognitive resilience. Additionally, quality sleep is emphasized, as inadequate rest can lead to harmful brain changes over time.Limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding exposure to air pollution are other essential steps. The article underscores that while no single change guarantees protection, adopting multiple healthy habits can dramatically reduce your dementia risk and enhance overall well-being. By starting these practices now, you can protect your brain for the long term.You can read the entire article at www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a63227792/lower-dementia-risk-doctors/.For more about protecting your future independence and longevity, visit www.GreyHealthMatters.org.

Hot summer days are a good time for everyone to think about staying hydrated. For older adults the topic of hydration is a year-round discussion that never goes away. Its a serious issue for most seniors but doesnt get resolved because it needs to be addressed every day and cant be solved with a pill.Seniors have a very high risk for dehydration, which is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization after the age of 65. They have a greater risk of dehydration for many reasons, including the fact that as we age, our kidneys become less efficient at conserving fluids, our sense of thirst weakens, and we are less able to adjust to changes in temperature. Some medications like diuretics, sedatives, and laxatives can also cause increased fluid loss.Dehydration can cause temporary symptoms that mimic symptoms of Alzheimers. If dementia-like symptoms seem to appear suddenly, it could be dehydration which is easily curable.Symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe and include persistent fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, forgetfulness, confusion, lethargy, increased heart rate, sunken eyes, dry mouth, dark colored urine.  Urine should be clear to pale yellow. I tell my clients that if their urine is darker than pale yellow, they should head straight to the kitchen from the bathroom and drink a full glass of water.  Keeping a glass of water beside you all day to sip on rarely results in someone drinking enough fluids.  Its more effective to drink the entire glass, even if its a small glass.  Seniors cant rely on their sense of thirst to tell them when to drink water.  Scheduling a glass at each meal and/or after a bathroom visit, making sure to drink the full glass, is the best way to make sure youve gotten your full daily amount.If you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.