It’s college drop-off season. Amidst the celebration of accomplishments, know that today’s true picture of college life is not always rosy. During this transition, changes in sleep, exercise, diet, and possible alcohol/drug use, can create a perfect storm for mental health issues to arise or reoccur. Talking proactively with your college student can help them intentionally manage these four foundational areas with the aim to help them prioritize their mental health.
Author Archives: bigretiredlife
My Pickleball Obsession
Pickleball—it’s easy to learn, super social, fast-paced, fun, competitive but not too competitive. Everyone is nice and friendly. You can play all around the country with friends or strangers. Our kids could easily pick it up as well. I found my sport!
10-Week BodyBuilding Challenge: Bill Nighan’s Approach
I followed Bill Nighan’s 10-week bodybuilding approach and here’s what I learned.
Decluttering
It’s a wrap! Professional organizer, Sandie Timm, shares four insightful articles to help you declutter your home.
Grandparenting 101: Why You Might Need a Refresher Course
Becoming a grandparent is a thrilling milestone. After all the years of raising your own children, who would have thought you’d need “Grandparents Classes?” Surprisingly, these classes are common and offered through many different providers. Times have changed, and so have childcare practices.
Living Wills: How and Why?
Despite its shortcomings, creating a living will is an important step in preparing for end-of-life care. Remember, the process itself—promoting self-reflection and facilitating discussions—is where the value lies. Stay proactive, update your living will as your health evolves, and keep the conversation about end-of-life care ongoing with your healthcare providers and those important to you.
The Joy of Knitting: A Life-long Journey
Knitting has proven to be more than just a hobby: it’s a source of stress relief, a way to stay mentally sharp, and a means to express creativity. Knitting can bring unexpected joy and fulfillment to your life.
My Weight Loss Journey: a 10-Week Challenge
I worked with a coach during a 10-week weight loss challenge and shed 5 pounds. Here’s what I learned through the process.
Decluttering Sentimental Items
Perhaps the most daunting items for many folks to declutter are sentimental ones. From your grandmother’s tablecloth to your child’s 1st shoes, objects hold an emotional connection. Here are six tips for letting go of sentimental items in ways that honor their memory.
Reflections on Parenting a Trans Child
Everyone really wants to know how I parented Eli through navigating gender. Twelve years ago, Eli wrote me a letter explaining they* were trans. This was not something I had been prepared to face on my parenting journey. Leading with love and attempting to lean into curiosity, I did pretty well. Now I’m sharing my challenges to help other parents do better.
Solo Agers Guide to Living Wills, Healthcare Proxies, Financial Power of Attorney
Navigating end of life as your health declines can be daunting, especially if you’re a solo ager without immediate family to rely on. Let’s delve into three crucial legal documents that everyone needs––especially solo agers: the Living Will, Healthcare Proxy, and Financial Power of Attorney.
Try Gardening
Take your resistance training to the next level. Weight training improves mobility, reduces joint pain, and prevents or even reverses age-related muscle and bone loss.
Saving for Retirement to Wealth Management
There’s a difference between a financial advisor and a wealth manager. After 44 years of focusing on earning money, now, the script is flipped. This was a very scary proposition. I need to shift from saving for retirement to wealth management.
Tips for Managing Paper Clutter
I help people declutter, downsize, and organize their closets, cabinets, and garages. For those who struggle with keeping a decluttered home, here are 4 tips to tackle the piles and stacks of paper and mail in their homes.
Expert Wedding Planning Advice for Parents
Today’s weddings are tailored more towards the interest and values of the bride and groom and may not closely resemble your wedding. We gathered insights from seasoned “mothers of the bride” who share their practical tips for any parent embarking on the wedding planning journey with their children.
Getting Help After Surgery: A Solo’s Perspective
I had never had to deal with an incapacitating medical issue before, until this year. As a single person, this situation is complex. Here’s my story and some tips for getting support to literally get back on your feet after surgery.
You Could Be a Bodybuilder Too
Take your resistance training to the next level. Weight training improves mobility, reduces joint pain, and prevents or even reverses age-related muscle and bone loss.
Built to Move: Maintain Good Health and Mobility
Built to Move, a New York Times Best Seller, by Kelly and Juliet Starrett aims to prepare you to improve your ability to maintain good health and mobility throughout your life. The book’s main focus: “ten tests + ten physical practices = ten ways to make your body work better.” We’ve reordered their tests starting with the six tests the authors say you should be able to do. Next, we break down four healthier ways to live your life.
How to Declutter in Four Easy Steps
Decluttering and organizing your environment is beneficial for your physical and mental health. But it can be overwhelming to know where and how to start. Like most things, the hardest thing is taking the first step. The following tips will help you get started on the process:
Reconnecting as a Couple
For married couples with children, the transition to an empty nest is a known challenge. Now is the time to reinvest in your spouse and reconnect as a couple. Put in the effort so it’s not the end of your love story—but the beginning of the next chapter.
What I Learned Dating at 50
I was married for 19 years. When the divorce was final, I knew I wanted a new life partner. I had not been on a date in 25 years! Aside from the requisite grit, resilience, and self-confidence, here are my eight learnings from online dating.
Try Rucking
Rucking is walking outside at a brisk pace with a weighted or loaded backpack. This transformative workout takes an ordinary walk and turns it into a dynamic routine.
How I lost 70 Pounds in 7 Months
I was successful in my profession, raised great kids, had wonderful friends, and even found true love. However, I was failing in the most important part of my life—my health. My medical charts said, “obese.” I wanted to get slimmer and healthier, but I just could not make it happen on my own. I believe having a loving coach was one of the essential components that led to my weight-loss success. The others were: leaning into community, developing healthy habits, and eating nutritiously.
The Case for Decluttering
Our environment is intrinsically related to our mental health. There’s a strong correlation between clutter in your home and elevated levels of cortisol—the stress hormone.
Self-care: A Crucial Part of Caregiving
In the Sandwich Generation, juggling care for children, grandchildren, aging parents, work, and more can be overwhelming leaving you feeling stretched thin. While it might seem there’s no time to take care of yourself, the reality is just the opposite. The truth is to be the best caregiver and contributor, you need to take care of yourself first. It’s not selfish; it’s survival. Here are five pillars of self-care and self-compassion.
Divorce After 20 Years of Marriage—Insights and Advice
Big Retired Life engaged in five candid conversations with individuals who collectively shared an average of 22 years of marriage. Delving into the intricacies of later-in-life divorces, our aim was to uncover the unexpected surprises from these diverse experiences and distill valuable advice.
My Journey from Remote Work to Daily 5K Runs
In the tumultuous year of 2020, when the world grappled with the challenges posed by the pandemic, my life, like many others, underwent a significant transformation. This unexpected turn of events propelled me to reevaluate my approach to fitness.As it turned out, the solution was waiting just beyond my doorstep. It was time to lace up my running shoes and hit the trails!
Doctors said my son’s bipolar disorder couldn’t be healed by diet. They were wrong.
I met the host of a mental health podcast who had gone on a ketogenic diet — low in carbohydrates, high in fat and moderate in protein — to treat his medication-induced weight gain, only to find that his lifelong bipolar symptoms resolved. I found increasing evidence pointing to the promise of keto for treating a range of brain-based disorders, not only bipolar disorder but depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and autism. The strongest evidence that keto can help the brain comes from clinical trials in epilepsy dating back 100 years, demonstrating reduction or even elimination of seizures. We had to push back hard on experts who said bipolar disorder was a chemical imbalance that couldn’t be healed with diet. Preliminary research is proving those doctors wrong, and more people deserve to know this.
Advice From 80 Year Olds to 50 Year Olds
In an effort to help people make the most out of their retirement, we at Big Retired Life conducted original research. We solicited advice from the residents of The Forum, an affluent retirement community in Cupertino, California, to see what words of wisdom they wanted to say to their younger selves. We posed a simple question: “Based on your experience, what would be your top three pieces of advice for someone in their 50s, aiming to prioritize what matters and get the most from their retirement years?” Here’s what they said.
Holiday Gift Guide: Well-being Edition
More presence; less presents—That’s my motto. Yet, gift giving is one way we can show love to the ones we love during the holiday season. I’ve crafted a handpicked gift guide of my top 15 favorite gifts focused on well-being, usefulness, and in some instances, something life-changing. Here’s the gift list breakdown:
Going It Alone Through the Holidays
It can be hard to be alone during the holidays. Although conventions say the holidays are a time to focus on others, for some, it might be the time of year to take special care of yourself. You can embody the spirit of the holiday season with gratitude, connection, happiness, and generosity, by spending time focusing on what you have and what matters to you. Carol Marak, a solo-aging coach and expert, recommends connecting to and revitalizing yourself during the holiday season. Thrive through the holidays with these eight tips:
Try Birding
Think of birding as an invitation to pay attention to the world around you. Think of it as a practice of observing and noticing. Think of it as a way to connect to our avian companions, a way of being close to a part of nature that’s available wherever we are, whether it be in a city park or a quiet forest. Birding can take us out of ourselves and our daily worries. It can bring us joy and a sense of connection. It can reawaken a sense of childlike curiosity and wonder, and most of all, it can be fun.
A Life Worth Living: My Outlive Insights
Are you thinking about reading Outlive, the New York Times bestseller from Dr. Peter Attia? Here are our top five insights from Outlive.
Retirement Living Options
It’s a wrap! Choosing the perfect place to live when you retire is a major decision. That’s why we’ve curated a series of articles focused on various retirement living options and their distinct benefits. Through our research, we found a common thread that runs through all five options––the power of advanced planning. Check out ourContinue reading “Retirement Living Options”
A Mental Health Checklist for College Students and Their Parents
The transition to college can be a challenging time, especially for students with pre-existing mental health issues and those who are recently struggling. To help navigate this journey, we’ve created a comprehensive checklist for college students and their parents.
Combatting the Loneliness Epidemic
As social creatures, humans have an innate need for social connection. It’s as essential for survival as food, water, and shelter. Yet, in an increasingly digitally connected world, loneliness is on the rise. The U.S. Surgeon General officially declared it an epidemic due to its detrimental effects on both individuals and society as a whole.Continue reading “Combatting the Loneliness Epidemic”
Try Learning the Guitar
By Diana Sunshine In our series, Active You, we’ve been on a mission to showcase the incredible benefits of staying active and learning new things. Not only is embracing new challenges invigorating, it’s also fantastic for your brain. Learning, in particular, is a crucial ingredient for nurturing neuroplasticity—the brain’s amazing ability to adapt and grow.Continue reading “Try Learning the Guitar”
Lifelong Learning: A Pathway to Longevity
There are numerous studies, including one from National Health Institute (NIH), that have consistently demonstrated that individuals with higher levels of education live longer and healthier lives. In addition to educational attainment, a commitment to lifelong learning is a key component. But why? The Link Between Education and Longevity 1. Health Literacy: Education equips individualsContinue reading “Lifelong Learning: A Pathway to Longevity”
Retire to College
This post is part of an ongoing series on where to live as you age For most people, college was the best years of their life. Are you ready to relive that excitement and vibrancy in your retirement years? Well, you’re in luck because the concept of University-Based Retirement Communities (UBRCs) is growing, offering aContinue reading “Retire to College”
Helping Your College Student Prioritize Mental Health
By Andrew Bryan It’s college drop-off season. Amidst the celebration of accomplishments, know that today’s true picture of college life is not always rosy. According to Inside Higher Ed, “College students are experiencing all-time high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality…the highest rates in the survey’s 15-year history.” College can be a challenging time forContinue reading “Helping Your College Student Prioritize Mental Health”
Four Ways to Travel Alone
That’s a wrap! Our four-piece series on ways to travel alone is complete. While retirement is often seen as a time to travel, many people put off those dreams simply because they don’t want to travel by themselves. We’ve broken down four ways to embrace solo travel and explore the world. Discover what option worksContinue reading “Four Ways to Travel Alone”
Try Yoga: Finding Your Practice
The time of year has rolled around when you might be thinking about trying a new way to stay active as the start of fall nears. Whether you have participated in various yoga classes over the years or have only dappled, consistent yoga practice is beneficial for your overall well-being. It is never too lateContinue reading “Try Yoga: Finding Your Practice”
Reconnecting with Life-Long Friends
By Sean Flynn “When was the last time we saw each other?…” “Remember when we….” “It is so good to hear your voice…” If you find yourself sharing these or related sentiments, it’s a pretty good sign that you are reconnecting with a friend. These are the rewards for reaching out unprompted to a goodContinue reading “Reconnecting with Life-Long Friends”
Consider Intergenerational Cohousing Communities
This post is part of an ongoing series on where to live as you age In our ongoing exploration of retirement living options, we have stumbled upon an intriguing and rising trend in the United States: intergenerational cohousing communities. We were captivated by a compelling Facebook quote that spoke of love and belonging within aContinue reading “Consider Intergenerational Cohousing Communities”
Don’t Let Jet Lag Get You Down
Are you traveling across time zones this summer and hoping to escape that pesky energy drain otherwise known as “jet lag”? If you are one of the 60-70% of travelers who experience some disruption to their circadian rhythms due to traveling across time zones, there are steps you can take to make your next tripContinue reading “Don’t Let Jet Lag Get You Down”
Take a Modern Pilgrimage
For thousands of years, individuals have embarked on walking pilgrimages around the world. While traditionally a religious experience, pilgrimages offer a unique travel opportunity to clear your mind, move your body, and feed your soul. According to Adventure and Spiritual Restoration: Older Adult Motivations for Undertaking a Pilgrimage on El Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimageContinue reading “Take a Modern Pilgrimage”
It’s Time to Dance
By Diana Sunshine When recently tasked with writing my six-word memoir, I came up with “First on the dance floor—always.” As someone who trained as a classical ballet dancer for 14 years, I never pass up an opportunity to dance, whether at a large celebration, alone at home, or to my daughter’s horror—with my husbandContinue reading “It’s Time to Dance”
Hack Aging with Tiny Habits
Aging is a gradual process marked by subtle daily changes that often go unnoticed. It’s common, yet incorrect, for people to assume that they will always be capable of performing even the simplest tasks without difficulty. To counteract this decline, the concept of “Tiny Habits,” popularized by BJ Fogg, offers a powerful approach to buildingContinue reading “Hack Aging with Tiny Habits”
Granny Flats for Multigenerational Living
This post is part of an ongoing series on where to live as you age By Josie Bryan As individuals grow older, housing options become more limited, so it’s crucial to find the right solution. Retirement communities can be expensive and often lack the comforting sense of home and family. While aging in place inContinue reading “Granny Flats for Multigenerational Living”
How to Plan a Family Reunion
By Margot Slade Consider the virtues of a family reunion: Compared with visiting your relatives individually, it’s less stressful on the body (fewer planes, trains, automobiles), pocketbook (again the planes, trains, automobiles) and mind: You’re not wedded — some might say beholden — to the same person or group for hours or days. Family reunions,Continue reading “How to Plan a Family Reunion”