Third in a Series If you are one of the 12 million Americans classified as a solo ager who wants to travel more, we have an enticing and novel idea for you: a reconnection tour. Just because you are aging independently doesn’t mean you lack friends or extended family scattered across the country or evenContinue reading “Try a Reconnection Tour”
Author Archives: bigretiredlife
Try Mountain Biking
Looking for a fantastic way to soak up the great outdoors and revel in nature’s beauty? Mountain biking is just the activity leaving you feeling invigorated and accomplished with numerous benefits. It’s a safer endeavor compared with road riding with cleaner air to breathe where you don’t have to worry about cars on paths, trails,Continue reading “Try Mountain Biking”
The Profound Power of Sleep
By Anita Motwani, COO Nidra Sleep Masks Did you know that you spend a third of your life sleeping? While it may sound hard to believe, the Population Reference Bureau study boldly states that “sleep may be as important to health in old age as diet and exercise.” It’s no exaggeration to say that sleepContinue reading “The Profound Power of Sleep”
Tips for Aging in Place
This post is part of an ongoing series on where to live as you age By Scott Stanley If you read our previous article, Aging In Place vs. Retirement Communities: Which is The Right Choice for You?, and have decided that aging in place is your best option, then we have some tips to shareContinue reading “Tips for Aging in Place”
The Truth About End-of-Life Care
Many of us will face a time when we will need to take on the emotional and challenging task of caring for our parents at the end of their lives. If you find yourself in this position, it’s important to know what to expect. Here’s our best advice from three individuals who cared for theirContinue reading “The Truth About End-of-Life Care”
Group Travel: Ideal for Solo Agers
Second in a Series We all know it can be scary to think of traveling alone even when you want to step outside of your comfort zone and gain new experiences. If you read our recent post, Solo Travel, and thought, “No way––that’s not for me!”, then we have a few other ideas for you.Continue reading “Group Travel: Ideal for Solo Agers”
Try Surfing
by Diana Sunshine, Big Retired Life Founder It’s never too late to try something new and test your abilities. Surfing is often only thought of as an activity for the young and adventurous, but as someone who learned to surf at the age of 50, I can tell you this isn’t true. Like myself, olderContinue reading “Try Surfing”
Healthier Habits, Happier Life
By Stella Taylor Bergan, Health and Human Performance Coach A couple of months back, I wrote a compelling Facebook post about the benefits of cleaning up daily habits, and it was a hit leaving friends clamoring for more. My post started like this: OK, here is the truth – you want to live longer – cleanContinue reading “Healthier Habits, Happier Life”
What to Consider When Looking for an Active Senior Community?
This post is part of a series on where to live as you age By Hollis Bischoff, Senior College Admissions Advisor If after reading Aging In Place vs. Retirement Communities: Which is The Right Choice for You?, you have decided to move to a retirement community, I’d like to share my experience and advice onContinue reading “What to Consider When Looking for an Active Senior Community?”
Reframing the Empty Nest — You’re a Free Bird
By Lucia Tedesco Picture this: your kids are all grown up and have flown the coop. You’re standing in your empty house, wondering what to do next. Do you sit in the corner, crying over every memory Facebook throws back at you? Or do you put on your favorite playlist and dance around the houseContinue reading “Reframing the Empty Nest — You’re a Free Bird”
Solo Travel
By Sharon Lee Mathis Retirement is often seen as a time to travel and explore the world. However, many people put off those dreams simply because they don’t want to travel alone. The thought of solo travel can be intimidating, but I can tell you from experience, it’s incredibly rewarding. In fact, according to SoloContinue reading “Solo Travel”
Try Strength Training
As winter rages on across the United States, it can be hard to maintain a regular exercise routine. From the west coast’s record-breaking snow and rain to the ice storms in the midwest and Nor’easters on the east coast, outdoor activities, even winter ones, may not be an option. However, there’s a solution: indoor bodyweightContinue reading “Try Strength Training”
Seven Predictors of Longevity Within Your Control
It’s a wrap. We’re excited to share that Big Retired Life’s “Top Priorities” section now features a comprehensive series on the seven predictors of longevity that are within your control. This series is based on findings from Harvard’s Study of Adult Development and provides actionable tips to help you incorporate them into your life. WhetherContinue reading “Seven Predictors of Longevity Within Your Control”
Aging In Place vs. Retirement Communities: Which is The Right Choice for You?
This post is part of a series on where to live as you age By Scott Stanley One of the most significant decisions you’ll make in retirement is where you are going to live when your physical health declines. In this post, I will delve into two of the more popular options—aging in place andContinue reading “Aging In Place vs. Retirement Communities: Which is The Right Choice for You?”
College Decision Season
By Hollis Bischoff, Senior College Admissions Advisor Helping Your Child Choose Their New Home For the Next Four Years (aka Choosing a College) Last fall, your child eagerly pushed the apply button for their curated list of colleges, and the last few months have been a rollercoaster of ups (acceptances) and downs (denials, deferrals, andContinue reading “College Decision Season”
Advice For Widows From Widows
Losing a spouse or life partner can be one of the hardest experiences a person can go through. For everyone in a long-term relationship, the reality is that one partner will pass away at some point, and the other will need to continue on alone. It’s important for both partners to acknowledge and prepare. It’sContinue reading “Advice For Widows From Widows”
Try Meditation
By Diana Sunshine I know some of you might wonder why this “Active You” post is about meditation. I mean, sitting and trying to empty your mind doesn’t sound all that active, right? But trust me—meditation is an active, daily practice that takes dedication and provides some pretty surprising benefits. For me, meditation has beenContinue reading “Try Meditation”
Breathe Easy
You’ve heard the phrase ‘smoking kills’ one too many times, but it’s true. Non-smokers live longer and healthier lives. Actually, not smoking is one of the seven dominant predictors of successful aging within some personal control. But it’s not just cigarettes: vaping, smoking marijuana, and even exercising in poor air quality can all have detrimentalContinue reading “Breathe Easy”
Don’t Let Your Skills Go To Waste
By Elaine Lum MacDonald Retired professionals have a rich trove of knowledge—skills, insights, and connections—that can be leveraged for good use. The knowledge that each individual holds due to their unique experiences and wisdom gained through time is one of the most unactualized human assets we have. What if that underutilized knowledge could be transferred?Continue reading “Don’t Let Your Skills Go To Waste”
Embrace Your Sports Fandom
By Bill Onderdonk I remember taking my then 5-year-old daughter to her first San Francisco Giants game in 2010. I was there with my father-in-law, a lifelong Giants fan. When Pablo Sandavol, aka Panda, hit a grand slam, my daughter excitedly exclaimed, “I’m a lucky charm!” The 2010 season ended with the Giants winning theContinue reading “Embrace Your Sports Fandom”
Who rescued who?
If you have a dog, there’s a chance you rescued them from a shelter. As your dog benefits from your care, did you know they’re also helping you? There are myriad health advantages of dog ownership. The most compelling being a 2019 Journal of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes meta-analysis that showed dog ownership wasContinue reading “Who rescued who?”
Got time? Take up golf!
By Michele Kirsch, founder of Chirpy Golf Undoubtedly, many people don’t take up golf because it’s a sport that takes a lot of time. Well, that’s true to an extent. Yet, once you have the time, the sport is easy to start, and you’ll enjoy it so much that you won’t notice the time commitment.Continue reading “Got time? Take up golf!”
Maintaining a Healthy Body Weight
Maintaining a healthy body weight after retirement is an important concern for many people as they enter a new phase of life. As daily schedules change, you may or may not spend more time engaging in habits to keep mentally and physically at your best. Healthy habits, no matter how you slice them, are theContinue reading “Maintaining a Healthy Body Weight”
Thrive Through All Three Phases of Retirement
The Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go framework is a common way financial planners divide retirement into three distinct phases to understand how financial needs change over time. Instead of using this framework as a financial tool, apply it as an intentional mindset on how you can thrive throughout your retirement. The fact is that everyone willContinue reading “Thrive Through All Three Phases of Retirement”
Passing Down Family Recipes
By Diana Sunshine Every Thanksgiving, I love listening to NPR’s Susan Stamberg share Mama Stamberg’s zesty cranberry relish. She claims it’s Pepto-Bismol pink, and although it sounds terrible, it’s incredibly delicious. Susan has shared it with thousands of listeners and the recipe lives on. Recipes are passed down generation to generation, many of them unwritten.Continue reading “Passing Down Family Recipes”
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 timeContinue reading “Going It Alone Through the Holidays”
Try Skiing
If you are an active person looking for a fun winter sport—try skiing. It’s great for physical, mental, and social well-being—all beneficial to longevity. Physical fitness: A 2011 study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports found that 12 weeks of skiing leads to an increase in aerobic capacity, leg muscleContinue reading “Try Skiing”
A Workout Program Designed for Longevity
“If exercise could be packaged in a pill, it would be the single most widely prescribed and beneficial medicine in the nation.” This quote, attributed to Robert Butler of the National Institute on Aging, reinforces the benefits of exercise as one of seven dominant predictors of successful aging that’s within your control. Yet, with myriadContinue reading “A Workout Program Designed for Longevity”
What’s Concierge Medicine and is it right for you?
By Sam Sunshine, M.D. Direct Primary Care (DPC) is also known as concierge medicine, retainer medicine, membership medicine, and a cash-only practice. While there are distinctions among these terms, they are a fundamentally different approach to healthcare that removes insurance as the “middle man” and allows doctors and patients to work directly together. For thisContinue reading “What’s Concierge Medicine and is it right for you?”
Four Easy Covid + Cold Home Remedies
Winter is coming. Last week, NPR reported there will be a spike in Covid cases this winter, and The New York Times published tips on holiday planning to mitigate Covid risk without missing out on the fun. Even with thorough preventive measures, you or a loved one may still get Covid or a common cold.Continue reading “Four Easy Covid + Cold Home Remedies”
Solo Agers: Safeguard Your Future
By Carol Marak Caring for my parents was a wake-up call. It required a massive effort involving three siblings and professionals. The same care could someday be needed for me–only I would not have a family to step up. I’m a solo ager, also known as an Elder Orphan. Whether by choice or circumstance, soloContinue reading “Solo Agers: Safeguard Your Future”
Try Bouldering at a Climbing Gym
A great all-weather activity to add to your workout routine is indoor bouldering. All the necessary gear is available at your local climbing gym, and with nearly 600 climbing gyms across the country, it’s easy to find one close by. Climbers invented bouldering to practice difficult moves close to the ground safely. Since no ropesContinue reading “Try Bouldering at a Climbing Gym”
Coping Skills Lead to Better Health and Longer Life
Data show that how you respond to life’s ups and downs can predict long-term health. Your response, known as a defense or coping mechanism, is a skill you can develop. Learn the benefits of mature defense mechanisms as well as seven ways to strengthen them. Dr. George Vaillant, former director of Harvard’s Study of AdultContinue reading “Coping Skills Lead to Better Health and Longer Life”
Long-Term Care: What to Know and How to Pay For It
Most people will need long-term care (LTC) and a plan to cover what can be unpredictable and potentially large costs so that you avoid burdening — financially and emotionally — your family and caregivers. Paying for LTC requires thought, research, and planning. You’ll want to start early, and the reality is that once you’re olderContinue reading “Long-Term Care: What to Know and How to Pay For It”
Tips on Making Family-Time More Enjoyable
After two years of a global pandemic, many of us have a newfound recognition of the importance of relationships, especially family relationships. Retirement means you can be the organizing force to foster these relationships. For many, that means getting your immediate family — your parents, your children, and their families — together for special occasions,Continue reading “Tips on Making Family-Time More Enjoyable”
Managing Grief
Grief is the deep pain associated with the loss of something or someone important. We all know who the “someones” are in our lives. But the somethings — well, those can include youth, marriage, material possessions, future dreams. All of which can make grief an extremely personal and lonely process. Understanding how to manage griefContinue reading “Managing Grief”
Try Backpacking
If you are an avid walker or day hiker, backpacking is a great way to turn that passion into a full-blown adventure. And there’s no better time to try something new than during retirement. In fact, studies show that being outdoors is highly beneficial to everyone and especially to older adults. According to the U.S.Continue reading “Try Backpacking”
The Hard Truth About Alcohol and Aging
Falling into heavy drinking or even alcoholism is a real problem during retirement, no matter how much you may welcome that final workday. So before you pour that glass of wine or savor that martini, here’s some information you should know. A 2017 JAMA Psychiatry article released the results from the National Epidemiologic Survey onContinue reading “The Hard Truth About Alcohol and Aging”
Medicare Is NOT Free and Basics You Should Know
Most Americans think Medicare is free. It’s not. Medicare fees are based on a sliding scale that’s linked to income level. Eligibility Eligibility starts at age 65, and the 7-month initial enrollment period begins 3 months before the month you turn 65. Make sure to enroll when you are first eligible because there are late enrollmentContinue reading “Medicare Is NOT Free and Basics You Should Know”
Join the Club: The Club Sandwich
The Sandwich Generation has evolved into a Club Sandwich. The previous definition described a demographic that was sandwiched between raising growing children and caring for aging parents. The Club Sandwich layers on another generation: helping to care for grandchildren. Upon retirement, when you finally feel like you can take time to pursue your passionsContinue reading “Join the Club: The Club Sandwich”
Cultivate Your Social Power
There are seven dominant predictors of successful aging that are within our control, with stable long-term relationships being the single most important one. This finding was proven by the 80-year plus longitudinal Harvard Study of Adult Development that tracked 268 Harvard students and 465 disadvantaged boys from Boston. Robert Waldinger, the study’s fourth director, presented itsContinue reading “Cultivate Your Social Power”
Build an Active Mindset and Life
Physical activity is key to a long and healthy life, and yet, a significant percent of the adult population doesn’t exercise. The New York Times, in a May 12, 2021 article by Gretchen Reynolds, noted “We already have plenty of evidence that exercise affects how long and well we live … studies show that olderContinue reading “Build an Active Mindset and Life”
The Power of Purpose
Everyone hopes for a happy, healthy retirement. But how, exactly, do you start on this path — especially when you may have 30-plus years to fill with … what? That will likely be the first major question even for the best-planned, long-anticipated retirements. Then there are the traps and quagmires — including depression, alcohol abuse,Continue reading “The Power of Purpose”