I was chatting with a friend recently who loves to travel but has an invisible, physical disability that makes it a challenge. She has some tips that have enabled her to travel independently in the U.K. These tips are essential for her, but are useful for all of us. 1. Plan your route from the… Continue reading More Accessible Travel For All!
Category: Physical Health
Creating Healthy Habits
Our brains love to create habits. It allows our brains to relax and not use much energy. How many times do we bring conscious thought to our daily habits? We don’t need to! We brush our teeth; get into bed and turn out the lights. No thought needed. Habits Can be Beneficial, Neutral Or Unwanted… Continue reading Creating Healthy Habits
A Work/Life Balance Doesn’t Make Sense
I’m determined not to get sucked into that whirlwind of work again. Before I retired from teaching, I was a chronic over-worker. I enjoyed my job (for the most part), and filling my out-of-school hours and weekends with work felt necessary and purposeful. Perhaps it was just easier to do more work than to figure… Continue reading A Work/Life Balance Doesn’t Make Sense
Lose That Winning Streak Mentality
Celebrating someone’s ability to continue a winning streak is harmful to them and to us. We celebrate the retiree who never missed a day of work by featuring them in news articles.* But showing up every day and doing the thing, without missing a day, ever … under any circumstance, is problematic. It’s time we… Continue reading Lose That Winning Streak Mentality
Wake Up To Better Sleep
I really enjoy not waking up to an alarm clock anymore, now that I’m retired. But that alarm clock may have been serving a greater purpose than getting me to work on time. It could’ve been playing a part in helping me get a good night’s sleep. Not having a consistent routine is lovely at… Continue reading Wake Up To Better Sleep
Internal “Wrinkles”
Everyone is familiar with the external effects of aging. It comes as no surprise that over time skin wrinkles and hair greys. But what are the common internal effects of aging? It’s rarely talked about. One day it dawns on you, that maybe an issue that you thought was unique to you, is actually something… Continue reading Internal “Wrinkles”
Not If, But When, You Exercise
Did you know that the time of day that you exercise effects the results that you achieve? I didn’t. Like most people, I’ve struggled to find a consistent time to exercise. When I was working, there were only a few spots in my schedule where exercise would fit. There wasn’t much choice. As a retired… Continue reading Not If, But When, You Exercise
Barriers To Asking For Help
Part 2 in Rethinking Help (click here to read part 1) I see the value of accepting help for the giver, who shares their support, and the receiver, who is supported. It builds connection between friends and family and is mutually beneficial. Accepting help is like accepting a gift, it strengthens bonds. But my independent… Continue reading Barriers To Asking For Help
Brain Foggy November
Lately, the fog seems to roll in mid-afternoon and stay for the rest of the day. My will to focus and plan clouds over, and I settle for doing repetitive tasks that take little concentration. I want to expand my window of energy, or at least, re-charge it when it flags. I have things to… Continue reading Brain Foggy November
Righting My Life/Work Balance
It is wonderful to be retired. I’m not going to lie. I love having the flexibility in my day to take care of my own needs for exercise, daylight, writing, nutrition, hydration and social interaction. I’m no longer trying to wedge self-care into a bulging work schedule of teaching, planning, marking, reports and paperwork. But… Continue reading Righting My Life/Work Balance
Retired, And Now What? 