Health tips and advice

As our bodies grow older, so too rises the importance of maintaining or improving our health and fitness levels. In order for us to lessen our chances of contracting any unpleasant ailments (the likelihood of which obviously increases alongside our age), and indeed to increase our chances and speed of a full recovery if we are so unfortunate to be subjected to any such problems – it is important that we are in as fit and healthy a state as possible.

There are some very basic but nevertheless important tips that we should all bear in mind, that are even more important to us the older we get. Here are a few to consider.

Get sufficient sleep

Sleep and rest are important to every human (and indeed all other living organisms) regardless of age. As we grow older and our overall energy levels begin to drop however, so too drops our bodies ability to heal as effectively as it used to. What this translates into is the increased need of longer periods of sleep, or indeed more frequent naps.

The tendency for many aging individuals is to push themselves harder as a way of revolting against their naturally increasing need of more rest. Unfortunately, whilst exercise is good and one cannot be knocked for ones determination and morale in such a case, this can often have a detrimental effect on ones health in the longer term. Provide your body with the time and environment it needs in order to replenish and heal itself (between plenty of exercise, of course), and the chances that you will be rewarded with better health will be much improved.

Eat better than ever

You probably thought that the days of hearing the words “eat your greens” were gone with your childhood, but that is absolutely not the case. Just as we need to be sure we eat well when we are young so that we are provided with ample nutrients necessary for our bodies growth, we need to be doubly sure we are eating well when we are aging, but for different reasons.

As we get older our metabolisms slow down and so our bodies aren’t as quick or effective at breaking our food down into pure energy, or indeed at processing food at all. Indeed, unhealthy fatty foods such as takeaways and foods which in general lack sufficient nutritional value can have a much increased detrimental effect on us. Those who are older are more at risk of experiencing the ill-side effects of having an unhealthy diet than those who are young, and have less of a chance of reversing any problems once they occur. That makes it vastly important that we adopt a more strict and healthy diet as we get older.

Exercise more

Another tip no less significant to any of us regardless of age, but certainly more vital to remember the older we get (since we have a tendency to do less of it), is exercise. Our bodies will naturally deteriorate during periods of inactivity but the increased risk of physical problems across the board which age will inevitably bring about are encouraged yet more (and the rate of deterioration happens much faster) if we become lazy and idle. Remember the old saying of “use it or lose it”, for that is a piece of advice that can serve us all so well, the more we age.

By: Doug Marecroft

Baby Boomers, there is a reason to continue flossing your teeth every day. If it wasn’t a regular routine in your past, make it so, now.

Gum disease, also known as gingivitis, is a serious condition that will normally result in tooth loss. With adults, gingivitis and periodontal disease are the most common forms of gum disease. To prevent both types of gum disease, you should always brush your teeth and remove as much plaque as possible. If you allow the plaque to build up, gum disease will normally be the result.

Gingivitis is known as inflammation in the tissues of the gums. If plaque and tartar build up along the gum line, the gums will eventually get swollen and irritated. Over time, the gums will get very tender and start to appear puffy. When you brush your teeth, you’ll notice that your gums have become very sore and they will start to bleed with little to no pressure. If you notice blood when brushing, chances are you have gingivitis. Anytime you brush your teeth or floss, there should not be any sign of blood.

During this stage of gingivitis, there is no loss of bone structure. You can help to prevent gingivitis though, through flossing and brushing a few times a day. If you have gingivitis and you don’t do something about it, it could lead to periodontal disease. Those who don’t treat gingivitis or those who keep poor oral hygiene habits, will normally end up with periodontal disease where bone is actually destroyed. This damage cannot be reversed!

So no matter how much retirement fun you are having, take the time to brush and floss your teeth and visit your dentist regularly. This is one of the many “secrets” to making your “second adult life” the best years ever.

A final note: I know some people have not been to a dentist in years. Whether out of fear, a bad experience or any other excuse, you need to give it another try. This is for your health and happiness. I think you will find modern dentistry has changed a lot in the past decade or two.

I purposely avoided writing about Baby Boomer health issues because I wanted to cover nothing but positive, uplifting, “second adult life” topics. But is seems that after 40 and definitely after 50, Boomers have questions and want to share all the new and sometimes unpleasant things happening to their bodies. I hope these articles help.

Note: I always try to be accurate but I am not a health professional. ALWAYS check with your doctor before changing any of your healthcare practices.

By: Rick Perkins

Our society is one which is somewhat obsessed with appearances. Magazines, movies and television feature those with beautiful faces and bodies almost exclusively. Characters in a television shows or movies are often stereotypes rather than independent characters lending credence to the theory that beauty is more important than other aspects such as intelligence, personality and creativity. While this may not be true it is certainly the image which is promoted in the media. This focus on the beautiful people of the world has ignited a thriving beauty industry.

Nail salons are opening in large quantities all around the world. Although women make up the majority of the clientele in these establishments, men are also flocking to salons and spas for manicures and pedicures. Manicures and pedicures used to be considered luxury treatments reserved for special occasions such as weddings and other formal events but today many women visit salons weekly for nail care treatments.

Nails aren’t the only part of the body get a great deal of attention lately. Gleaming white teeth have become an asset desired, and achieved through treatments, by many. Both over the counter whitening products and dentist performed procedures are becoming increasingly popular. These products and procedures help people to obtain a coveted bright smile.
Salons and spas are also offering services and treatments to help individuals gain desired hairstyles. These treatments and services can help a person to achieve a completely different look. Those with short hair can have hair extensions, made with real hair, attached to create the illusion of longer hair. This can have the result of creating a dramatic effect. The extensions can be either very natural looking or completely outrageous. Hair straighteners are also popular options for those who want straight locks. Those with curly or wavy hair can have chemicals applied to remove the curl from their hair or may employ the use of products such as flat irons to achieve the desired effect.

Laser hair removal is another service offered by spas for the purpose of beautification. Laser hair removal can be somewhat painful as well as expensive and time consuming but many women still invest in these services. Laser hair removal is used to permanently remove hair through the use of lasers applied to the hair follicles.

These treatments are most effective in areas involving a small surface area such as the face, the underarms or the bikini line.

Some who are seeking physical perfection are taking even more drastic steps than those mentioned above in their pursuit of beauty. Laser vision correction is one such extreme measure those looking to improve their appearance are undergoing. Surgery to correct vision is often utilized by individuals who do not wish to wear glasses anymore. Although contact lenses are a viable

solution for correcting vision without surgery, many individuals are not satisfied with the use of contacts because there are still times when they are required to wear eye glasses. For these individuals corrective eye surgery is worth the risk in return for not having to wear eye glasses anymore.

By: Phil Edwards