Blog Posts

Unique New Year's Resolution Ideas To Push You Out of Your Comfort Zone

“My New Year’s Resolution list usually starts with the desire to lose between ten and three thousand pounds,” jokes actress and writer Nia Vardalos. Yes, it’s meant to be funny. But it also accurately pokes fun at traditional New Year’s resolutions that focus on our flaws and set us up to fail. Though a goal of between 10 and 3000 pounds does give Nia a bit of latitude. As active adults who have been around the New Year’s block—several times—maybe this year is the perfect time for unique New Year’s resolutions. Forget words like “improve” and “better”. Replace them with fun and laughter. Set goals that motivate you to surprise yourself and those around you. You don’t have to overhaul the same old same old. Just bring your new 2020 state of mind, an outlook that celebrates life. Here are some New Year, new “me” ideas! Rule Number One If it makes you happy, do it. There is no time like the present to dive into the deep end and embrace all opportunities in your path. Whether it’s travel, a new class , or a new friend, just say yes! Face a Fear Facing fear can mean anything from going to Social Hour by yourself to hosting a party, to taking a flying lesson. Think about something you’ve always wanted to do but feared trying, and this year, do it! Surprise Your Family No matter how young at heart you know you are, your kids—those same humans you taught to walk—are starting to think they are cooler than you. Surprise them with something unexpected like a wine tour, rock concert or a glamping weekend. Let them know you take the “active” in active adult seriously! Follow Up When you make a new friend or run into an old one you regret not seeing more often, make it a point to get a phone number and reach out to make a date. Someone needs to take the first step. Why not you? Active adulthood is all about people and relationships . Make 2020 the year you make the first move. As writer Vern Mclellan posits, “what the New Year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the New Year.” Let 2020 be the year you rise to the challenge of bringing fun and laughter into your world.

Downsizing or “Right-sizing” Tips for Empty Nesters

So, it’s a little quieter than you’re used to. But on the upside, you are no longer tripping over the flotsam and jetsam of your kids’ busy lives. Still, becoming an empty nester can be a little unsettling—at first. So, the best advice for empty nesters is to press pause, take a breath, and allow yourself to process this huge life passage. Yes, one door has closed, but another has been thrown wide open and the sweet breeze of freedom is wafting through. Once you gain a little perspective and begin to contemplate what moving forward looks like, it will be time to start thinking about your empty nester house plans. Will you be downsizing, or as we like to call it “right-sizing” when the kids leave for college? If you are looking around your house and now seeing an oversized, underpopulated living space that has outlived its primary purpose, the answer may be a resounding yes. In that case, the first step toward transitioning out of your long-term home into a fresh new environment that supports your active adult lifestyle is a necessary evil: Clutter control. Let the De-Cluttering Begin Your house has a lot of stuff in it. A smaller space will not have room for all that stuff. It is a mathematical fact. If you are even thinking of downsizing from your house to an apartment, the first order of business is to face the clutter chaos head-on and pare down your possessions. As you begin thinking about the process of wading through decades of accumulation, remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Tackle one room at a time and when you get to the photos and childhood memorabilia section, enlist the help of those kids. Provide snacks—and tissues—as the process can be an emotional stroll down memory lane. Getting rid of unnecessary belongings can create its own kind of separation anxiety. Stay focused on how wonderful it will be to live a newly streamlined life. You’re Ready! Oddly enough, the departure of the children is much like their arrival. It throws you for a loop initially, but once you get the hang of it, you realize you are ready to celebrate and embrace this new chapter with the same enthusiasm you brought to parenthood. And seriously, no matter where the kids are, staying in touch is easily facilitated by technology. Between facetime and texting, you won’t even realize they’re gone! So, get to the gym , pursue a new passion, make a new friend, or pack a suitcase and head off on a bucket list trip . This is your time and you’ve earned the right to enjoy it to the fullest!

The Benefits of Dancing for Seniors

Dance is the hidden language of the soul.” Martha Graham Music by itself is uplifting. And yes, swaying, stamping and twirling are fun. But it’s only when you put them together that the magic happens. Literally since the dawn of time, humans have been expressing themselves through dance. Even before there was written language, celebratory and ritual dances significantly contributed to the development of civilization. In contemporary medicine, dance is well regarded as a therapy modality for a wide variety of conditions from PTSD, depression, and eating disorders. But it’s the most recent research that confirms dance may be much more than just a way to connect with our emotions and impact behavior. In fact, it may be a secret, untapped fountain of youth, a powerful tool to fight the aging battle. Little did Ponce de Leon know it was right there all the time! The results of a study by the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, showed that while physical exercise, specifically endurance training, will help reverse the aging of the brain, it was only dancing that “lead to noticeable behavioral changes in terms of improved balance.” The study included volunteers with an average age of 68. Participants were divided into two groups. One group spent 18 months in a traditional training program that included repetitive exercises such as cycling or walking. The other group pursued a dance regimen that was constantly changing, challenging them with new patterns, rhythms, steps and routines every couple of weeks. The dance group displayed a significant increase in balance. Experts attribute the disparity in results to the combination of physical and mental rigor involved in the dance workout. Keeping your brain active is certainly a dance benefit, but there are so many other reasons to get up and shake your booty! Dance Your Heart Out Dancing will also help improve your cardiovascular health while positively impacting posture, motor skills and reaction times. Stay Strong Cutting a rug can help support strength and muscle function to protect seniors from injury. Ease the Pain One group of statistics shows that seniors engaged in social or group dancing experience less pain. Dance is an Attitude Those who dance and keep it moving are more likely to engage in other healthy behaviors such as keeping up with medications and eating a healthy diet. It Takes Two to Tango Dance is a great social outlet, an opportunity to connect with peers and develop new and meaningful relationships. So, shall we dance? The answer should be a definitive yes! Turn on the music, grab a partner and feel the beat as you enhance your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. We’ve all got the music in us. Find out more about how Overture's active adult communities support healthy lifestyles for all their residents. “We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once.” Friedrich Nietzsche

How to Design Your Apartment with Color Therapy Principles

"Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions." Pablo Picasso “Colors are the mother tongue of the subconscious.” So said the late Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, who believed colors and our response to them play a vital role in psychotherapy. But he was hardly the first to associate colors with our emotional health. The psychology of color dates back thousands of years to Egyptians who studied the effects of color on our moods and used them as holistic tools to influence wellbeing. When it comes to design for the elderly, integrating the principles of color therapy might be the difference between blah and blissful. Using colors known to influence our outlook may help create peaceful, spiritually uplifting environments that positively impact the lives of seniors, especially those living on their own. The lack of officially published research in this area has not stopped color psychology from becoming a force in interior design. The evidence is anecdotal but indicates that while our visceral responses to color are based on personal and cultural experience, there are certain colors that are associated with specific moods and emotions. Red The color red is just what the interior designer ordered to pump up the heart rate and boost excitement. A full red wall, if it works with the décor, or even red accents can infuse a space with positive energy. Splashes of red and orange dishcloths, vases, placemats or plates around may help improve your appetite. Blue When considering calm bathroom colors, blue should be at the top of the list. With the relaxed ocean vibe, soft blues create tranquility and peace and are often seen in luxury spas. It’s also a perfect bedroom color especially for seniors who complain of restless sleep. Blue surroundings may help seniors fall asleep more easily and sleep better. Green With the connection to nature, deep greens bring the outdoors in, adding a little springtime all year round. Green is a great color for a room meant to relax and inspire. A lighter green with pops of soft yellow creates an atmosphere of comfort and brain stimulation for reading and puzzle-solving. White White walls are known to be calming, purifying and cleansing. It is an especially appealing apartment color as it opens up a space, making it feel larger and lighter than its actual square footage. Yellow Soft yellow brings sunshine to a space. It is particularly uplifting during the winter months when natural light is in short supply. Splash yellow on the walls in the kitchen and wake up to sunshine every morning. No matter what the weather, surrounded by colors that bring out the best in us, home is a brighter, happier place every day.

The Perks of Getting Older

Your spirit still feels 19. But that person looking back at you from the mirror looks significantly, well…more seasoned. Clearly, something is wrong with the mirror! Right? Aging does have its challenges but those who reap the most benefit from this stage of life understand its secret: This is a glass that is not just half full, it is overflowing with perks unavailable to those who have not yet earned their half-century stripes. Don’t let the fear of getting older keep you from maximizing this special time of life. Here are but a few of the many advantages of old age. Free Time Galore When you were raising the kids and juggling work and family responsibilities, there was not much opportunity to pencil in free time on that busy calendar. Now that you’ve transitioned into retirement, your time is your own to pursue adventures and experiences you never could before. Take a class that interests you, read that book that you never had time for, take a trip, or just meet a friend for coffee. Free time is a 24/7 commodity just waiting for you to take advantage of it. Wisdom of Experience Experience is the best teacher and who has more experience than those who’ve been around the longest? Older adults have an empathy and richness of wisdom that gives them a much broader perspective on life and makes them a valuable resource to the young. Oh, Those Grandkids! Is there anything more amazing than cuddling with a grandchild—and then giving it back to its parent when it’s time for Social Hour or a yoga class? It’s all the perks of having a baby without the responsibility. Drop in for a few hugs and then drop back out when you feel like it. Or, sit back in the calm tranquility of your active adult space and blow kisses to that gorgeous baby via facetime. Watching them grow will keep you young. Grandkids are the gift that keeps on giving! Senior Discounts Too bad your grandparents never had Groupon Senior Discounts Club! Senior discounts help people on a fixed income stay active and engaged. From transportation to dining and entertainment, senior discounts offer a great incentive for making the most of retirement. I Don’t Care What They Say Anymore…This is MY Life! With age comes a startling revelation: Other people’s opinions just don’t matter as much as previously thought. Breaking free from worrying about the judgment of others erases negativity, opening doors to new experiences. Those with the perspective of years often look back and wonder why as young people they allowed themselves to be trapped by the opinions of others. You may not run as fast as you used to, or rock that bikini like you did back in the day, but don’t think of aging as getting older. Think of it as your ticket to new-found freedom and happiness. And remember, you can get older, but you don’t have to get old

The Surprising Health Benefits of Acting for Older Adults

The theatah, the theatah. Who hasn’t belted out “Defying Gravity,” ala Wicked’s Idina Menzel in the shower, or practiced a little “To be or not to be?” in front of the mirror? Lest you think your dreams of center stage are way past their expiration date, thou dost need to think again. Whether you are an extrovert who loves the limelight or would sooner bungee jump off a bridge than get up and recite a soliloquy, senior theater could be your next adventure. The older we get, the more we can derive the benefits of acting. It’s not about trying to become Hugh Jackman. It’s about connecting with others while creatively expressing yourself. Before you start listing all the reasons you should not become involved in a senior theater program, check out a few health benefits that may help you seek the spotlight. Join the Group One of the biggest risks to a senior’s mental and emotional health is isolation. It is imperative to interact with others to stave off depression and keep the mind sharp. Becoming part of a theater troupe is a great way to develop a sense of belonging and purpose. You will be contributing to the creation of something larger than yourself while being an integral part of a team of players. Improve your Communication Skills Engaging with other students and working to bring characters to life will help you develop stronger listening skills and create an opportunity to share points of view. Close collaboration will give you a more empathetic approach to absorbing the opinions of others and help you to more effectively express your own. Build Confidence The more you practice in a safe, non-judgmental space, surrounded by supportive peers, the less fear and inhibition will get in your way. You will gain confidence that will spill over into other facets of your life. Keep Your Brain Active Crossword puzzles may be great. But studying lines that must be memorized and delivered is an even better exercise for your brain. Nothing improves the memory like memorizing! Set Your Emotions Free This chapter of life may come with a variety of challenges—like mobility issues, death of a spouse, or children leaving town. Acting can be a huge stress reliever as you unleash your emotions and get in touch with your true feelings. Creative movement and vocal exercises can release tension and make the world look a little brighter. It’s FUN! Best of all, senior theater is fun. You’ll have plenty of laughs as your group mounts their production. And don’t forget the Happy Hour afterward! Connect with new friends and find your inner Broadway star. It’s never too late for your close-up. If you were an Overture resident, you would have access to art classes and activities , including Drama Club at some locations. It’s just one of the ways Overture invests in the holistic health of its residents!