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Easy Steps To Thriving As We Age

“Don’t let your age control your life. Let your life control your age.”

 – Anthony D. Williams

Think about what brings you joy. Is it your children or grandchildren? Watching birds? Helping others? Good conversation with your friends? Maybe it’s a perfect cup of tea or coffee; perhaps it’s inspiring music or a great book.

Right now I’m enjoying a giant cup of herbal tea in my oversized love cup, as I share some thoughts with you. Both of these things bring me a great deal of joy. One is easy (the cup of tea) and one is challenging. Writing always dares me to dig deeper for something meaningful to share. Writing asks me to learn before I teach anything; it expands my perspective and keeps my mind wide open. My intention with writing has always been to learn more about our place in the world and to discover how I can help others stretch their understanding and as a result expand their possibilities. Writing keeps me in a growth mindset and I’m very grateful for that.

“Be open to new ideas; never stop growing. Learning nourishes our happiness.”

-Kathie Donovan

It’s up to us whether or not we appreciate the power of learning new ideas or savouring our favourite simple pleasures but these are the very things that make our days special. Too often we allow ourselves to get caught up in overthinking about what might happen next or worrying about situations we have no control over. Part of enjoying a happy, healthy life is valuing the simple things that we could easily take for granted.

Here’s an important truth. We are each in charge of our happiness and we have far more power and control over it than we recognize.

Our best bet when it comes to healthy aging is to take care of our physical and mental wellness. Our body and mind are naturally connected; when we take care of our body our mind feels better. Cultivating habits such as making movement part of our daily routine, eating a healthy diet, watching where we allow our thoughts to go and recognizing the importance of interdependence all point us in the right direction.

Researchers who study centenarians (folks who live to 100 years and beyond) have shared that our attitude is important as we age. Our attitude is shaped by how we invest our time, so it’s important to do things that make us happy.  Being accepting of change is another key component of a healthy attitude and that includes rejecting negative stereotypes of aging. What we’ve been told about aging over many decades is not necessarily going to be your experience, if you take care of your attitude.

While we’re all subjected to negative thoughts, the difference between living a mediocre life and thriving as we age is how much power we give to negativity. It’s true that our lives can be completely reimagined when we shift the focus of our thoughts. When we are accountable for what we choose to think, we live a life that’s happening for us instead of a life that’s happening to us. Replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts challenges us and that’s a good thing. For example, a negative thought might be -life is so boring- replace that thought with – I am capable of anything I set my mind to; I look for possibilities for joy every day. I’ve learned that complaining is like saying a prayer, asking for what you don’t want, so be careful because complaining is widely acceptable but not effective when it comes to thriving.

Now is the time to stand up for ourselves and use the power of our thoughts to improve the results we see in our lives. We are all important and we matter; what we think about ourselves and our environment, including the people we interact with matters too. Here are a few more simple habits to cultivate that will contribute to living a fulfilling life.

  1. Learn to be grateful. Write down what you’re grateful for. Say thank you often; give out compliments like candy.
  2. Practice kindness toward yourself and others.
  3. Live in the present. The past doesn’t exist any longer and the future hasn’t happened yet. Worrying about either is like chewing gum to solve a chemistry problem, it gets you nowhere.
  4. Live with purpose. Focus on activities and pursuits that are meaningful to you.
  5. Stay curious. Ask questions; learn to be interested in other people and subjects you may have not yet explored.
  6. Let go of bitterness, anger and excuses. Practice forgiveness and compassion toward yourself and others.

Choosing to use some of these techniques will convince you that you have far more power and control in your life than you thought you did. Take some of these ideas, try them and enjoy all of the benefits and opportunities life has to offer.

This Wellings blog by Kathie Donovan was exclusively written for Wellings Communities and appeared first on MyWellings.com.

in Healthy Aging Posted by Kathie Donovan

Thriving As We Age

In the midst of all the upheaval, anxiety, and unrest of the past year, we have learned that true joy comes from inside and can be nurtured even in the most trying of times. One approach to make sure you get out of bed on the right side of the bed every morning is to start your day with thankfulness in your heart. Gratitude is one of the most powerful emotions because it is both a feeling and an action: you actively consider the things for which you are grateful, which makes you feel grateful.

Click here to watch Kathie and Natalie share the best transformative practices to cultivate joy.

in Healthy Aging, Video Blogs Posted by The Good Life With Kat & Nat

Apple Dumpling Bread

As the community thinks about giving thanks to the people in their lives that have made a difference, we often think of gathering, food and drink. What are some of your favorite traditions around the holidays?

Welcome fall with this incredibly delicious apple dumpling bread recipe from Chef Robert Mills. You can have this for breakfast or dessert or any time of day. Click here to watch the video. Enjoy.

Apple Dumpling Bread 

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 3 pounds medium Honey crisp apples, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 cup apple cider
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dough:

  • 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
  • 3/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 3/4 cup warm whole milk (110° to 115°)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 3-3/4 to 4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Cider sauce & glaze:

  • 4 cups apple cider, divided
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter, divided
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided

Directions:

  1. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, melt butter. Add the next 6 ingredients; stir to combine. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until apples have softened and released their juices, 10-12 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer apples to a 15×10-in. rimmed baking pan; spread into a single layer. Add cider to Dutch oven and bring to a boil; cook, stirring, until juices thicken and reduce to 1/2 cup, 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat; add vanilla extract. Pour over apple slices; cool completely. (Filling can be made 24 hours in advance and refrigerated.)
  2. For dough, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, sugar, oil, salt and 1-1/4 cups flour. Beat on medium speed until smooth, 2-3 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
  3. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  4. Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into an 18×12-in. rectangle; spread apple mixture to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up the Dough and Apples and place in  a greased 9×5-in. loaf pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°.
  5. Bake until well browned, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours. For cider sauce, bring 3-1/2 cups cider and brown sugar to a boil. Cook, stirring, until sauce is reduced to 1 cup, about 25 minutes. For glaze, beat confectioners’ sugar, cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla and enough remaining apple cider to reach desired consistency.
  6. Add remaining butter and vanilla to cider sauce. Cook and stir until the sauce thickens. Cool slightly. Drizzle sauce and glaze over bread.
in Food and Recipes, Video Blogs Posted by Chef Robert Mills

Grat·i·tude 🙏🏻

Gratitude or gratefulness, derived from the Latin word gratus, which means “pleasing, appreciative,” is a feeling of appreciation felt by and/or a similar positive response expressed by the recipient of kindness, gifts, help, favors, or other sorts of charity, to the giver of those gifts.
 
What is amazing about this attitude is the power it has to help us live our best life. Click here to join Natalie and Kathie for a fun chat around connecting with gratitude today. Enjoy!
in Healthy Aging, Video Blogs Posted by The Good Life With Kat & Nat

Gratitude Is Our Superpower

This Pandemic pause sure has taught us a lot about appreciation, hasn’t it? We’ve been reminded to value our health, our family and our freedom. We’ve learned to appreciate connection, even if it has been on a zoom call. We’ve risen during a time of great challenge and sadness to show appreciation for the front-line workers: those who look after us in emergencies, who take good care of our food supply and our most vulnerable. The Pandemic has been an exercise in patience, perspective and I think most importantly it’s been a great lesson in gratitude.

I want to thank you for making time to read our blog, for being open-minded enough to consider a fresh perspective or an idea you may not have considered before. Ideas like teaching yourself to express appreciation to someone when you’re feeling low because expressing gratitude when we’re not in the mood fosters more gratitude in the world around us and helps us to feel better. Perspectives like looking for opportunities to learn something from challenging situations because that’s how we make ourselves better. I encourage people to search for something to be grateful for in a difficult situation because there’s always something when we choose to look for it. I like to share with people that the two most important words in the English language are thank you and I always encourage their overuse.

 “This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” -Maya Angelou

Developing an attitude of appreciation involves learning to value something as simple as a new day. Each sunrise and sunset is something we’ve never seen before. We also get to start over every day with a clean slate, even though our thoughts will remind us of all the things we haven’t done and all the reasons we should consider being grateful as a waste of time. Trust me on this: learning to be grateful is one of the greatest investments you can make in yourself.

Research on the benefits of gratitude is ongoing with two psychologists Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California, Davis and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami at the forefront. Studies show that gratitude is associated with a greater sense of well-being and happiness, increased generosity and empathy, better relationships, fewer aches and pains, more alertness and determination as well as better sleep. Doesn’t that sound like good medicine?

Often we reserve gratitude or appreciation for gifts we receive, right? Consider that we are receiving all the time as in receiving oxygen into our lungs, sunlight on our face, a bird song and nature; not to mention running water, hot water, electricity and all of the modern conveniences we use every day.

Whether you journal about five things you’re grateful for every day or you express your thanks to someone who has helped you out, by sending a thank you card, you’re developing an approach to life that will deliver great dividends.

 “Today is a wonderful day to have a wonderful day.” -Maya Angelou

 Gratitude can really challenge us though because showing appreciation can make us feel vulnerable and we’ve been taught that being vulnerable equals weakness. Many of us have been taught to be independent and not rely on or take too much from others. We easily turn down compliments and kind offers in the name of independence while missing the opportunity for another person to feel good because they’ve helped us out and we miss an opportunity to show appreciation for an act of kindness. What if I told you that gratitude and appreciation are your superpowers? You have an endless supply but you have to use your superpowers to keep the store replenished.

The next time you notice a beautiful sunrise or sunset, just say thank you. When someone offers to help you out in some way allow it and say thank you. This way of operating puts fear in the back seat and connects us with the beauty of life and the powerful force of interdependence. During this season of giving thanks, let’s shift perspective and make gratitude a gift we share with others all year round by giving compliments freely, using your gratitude journal and saying thank you every day.

This Wellings blog by Kathie Donovan was exclusively written for Wellings Communities and appeared first on MyWellings.com.

in Healthy Aging Posted by Kathie Donovan

25-Minute Cardio Dance Workout

Dancing works your heart and lungs, and the more intense the dance, the more complex the workout. Simply put, dance cardio is moving your body while dancing. Cardio is striving to increase metabolic rate, burn calories, and improve stamina.

Benefits of Dancing For Health:

  • Heart and lungs health.
  • A gain in muscular strength and endurance.
  • Better aerobic fitness.
  • Strength and muscle tone.
  • Weight loss.
  • Stronger bones, less osteoporosis.
  • Greater flexibility and coordination.

Click here to participate in the class now.

in Health and Fitness, Video Blogs Posted by Fitness Powers

5 Quotes To Inspire Carefreedom Living

“I am no bird, and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” ~ Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

“Everything that happens to you matters to me.” ~ Cassandra Clare, City of Fallen Angels

“Lock up your libraries if you like, but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.” ~ Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own

“Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” ~ Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

in Carefreedom Living® Posted by The Good Life With Kat & Nat

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