HEARThrive - Module 11 - Combat Stress and Age Well

A humorous anecdote.

Don't you just love dealing with telemarketers?

A quick observation of longevity.

A fun "play on words" to make you chuckle.

Wise words  from a spiritual leader.

Sometimes, we bring unfounded stress upon ourselves by anticipating a negative outcome, or an outcome that doesn't align with our desires or wishes. Here's a story that exemplifies this narrative. Do you find yourself expecting the worst and stressing about it.

Inspired by the lyrics of a Santana song, the phrase "Make Somebody Happy, Make Somebody Strong" is a reminder to treat others with respect and offer encouragement and support. With your help, their success will be your reward -  by making you feel better about yourself.

Here's a fun but "oh so truthful" quote about aging from writer and producer Andy Rooney.

A provoking thought from a cartoon character that aligns with the NOKAFS slogan.

There's nothing quite like a close, near-death experience to get you to rethink what's important in life. Here's Malcolm's story and how it shaped his life.

Malcolm's father draws on the wisdom of his 95-year life to offer important advice to his granddaughter.

One way to shorten your life is to take unnecessary risks. It's important to accept that we are all getting older and we should be making appropriate adjustments, especially with physical activity, as we age.

Aim to find some time for yourself each day to wind down, either during the day or at bedtime. Find a method or ritual that works for you.

To support good cardiovascular health and longevity, aim to get adequate sleep that corresponds to a healthy circadian rhythm. Here's a demo of exactly what NOT to do.

Malcolm and Myron's father was an avid reader. He enjoyed reading the newspaper, especially the travel section, and other publications including National Geographic magazine. We believe his sense of curiosity and desire to learn helped him maintain a healthy mind and memory right up to his death at age 96.

If you can bring some humor and laughter into your life each day you'll be well on your way to aging well.

Want to age well? Find ways of fitting meditation into your daily life.

Different people have different ways of psychologically processing their life experiences. When you understand this, it's easier to relate to people better, which will help you manage what could otherwise be stressful to you.

Telephone scams continue to be popular. Often, seniors are targeted because they are more easily tricked by scammers. Watch for phone messages that threaten you, or callers who invoke a sense of urgency. Often, you can do some detective work on your own, such as doing a "Google" search of the caller, which may reveal that this was an attempted scam. The best way to avoid a potentially stressful outcome is simply not to pick up when an unfamiliar number shows up on your call display.

Remember to be grateful for what life offers you and enjoy the moment. Don't worry about the future or fret about the past. Life can change in a moment, and these days that might even come from an act of terrorism.

There are plenty of ideas and resources to check out on how to get a good night's sleep. But there's one very popular strategy you probably never heard about.

Caring for aging parents is a common source of stress for adults today. Confronting the situation head on, even if it means making some tough decisions, could be your ticket to a less stressful outcome during this challenging time period.

Tune into a conversation with a telemarketer to see how Malcolm flipped the whole conversation on its head. Give it a try sometimes.

Just being silly sometimes can help offload some stress that might creep in.

I truly believe my father's sense of humor contributed to his long life.

Are you getting inundated with stuff? Is it stressing you out? It's a very liberating feeling when you can discard items that have accumulated during your life. You know the old saying, "You can't take it with you." So, take a load off!

Sometimes it's best to take the initiative, socially speaking, and reach out and make a new friend.  It might just enrich your life in surprising new ways.

It's important to recognize that your blood pressure can increase if you feel anxious or stressed. Before going to your doctor, it's best to assess your blood pressure using your own monitor in the comfort of your home. If you are prone to getting "White-Coat Hypertension," your doctor will record your high blood pressure during your visit and likely prescribe a blood pressure lowering medication. But in reality, you've been misdiagnosed.