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Healthy Living

Feeling Overwhelmed? Here are Three Solutions You Can Use Today

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

Whether you’re single, divorced, or married, many feel overwhelmed. Everyone has good days and bad days. Sometimes you want to write down your gratitudes because you’re so filled with joy. But at other times, it would be difficult in your own frame of mind to even conjure up three reasons why you are grateful to crawl out of bed in the morning.

If you need a helping hand, reserve a personal consulting session to explore ways to eliminate your frustrations.

Are You Feeling Overwhelmed?

Maybe you’re living in a state of chaos because there’s so much going on in your life. Or maybe you’re just feeling totally depleted. If one more person gets in your face and asks you to do something, well… it makes you want to scream, “No! No! No! I can’t take on anything more!”

As humans, we have many choices about how to achieve a solution, especially when we’re feeling overwhelmed. But today, you will discover three solutions that you can apply to your life immediately, and that you can use over and over again whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed. Let’s get started.

Actions to Help

1. Among the many demands on your time, focus on two priorities that you would like to accomplish today. Don’t feel guilty about your big laundry list of things to do. Just choose two things. If you’re in a revenue-based situation, then choose the top two jobs that will create income right away.

2. Change up the way that you start your day. Everyone has their own routine. But, what if you didn’t do things today the same way that you have always done them? Would that change your outlook and attitude? Choose one thing, alter it, and then move forward.

For example, maybe when you get up in the morning, you have a light breakfast, make your coffee and drink it. Or if you’re a parent, perhaps you put out the breakfast for your children or maybe you select the clothes that they will wear that day. Change it up! Go outside and do 20 jumping jacks. Or, sit on the floor, close your eyes, picture a favorite place that you would like to be in, and sing your favorite song. Yes, it might sound silly, but no one’s watching. Give yourself permission for 15 minutes to do whatever you want to do. It’s guaranteed to totally change your outlook and attitude.

3. Asking for what you want or asking for help is sometimes the most difficult thing for people to do. But I challenge you: Ask for help! When we reach out to another human being and ask for help, of course, they can say yes, or they can say no. But the true value in this life exercise is that you don’t have to do everything by yourself. Keep asking until you find someone who is willing to help you.

You Don’t Have to Feel Overwhelmed

Feeling overwhelmed is not an emotion that is uniquely yours. You might think that it is, but if you were to ask friends, family, or total strangers, the majority of them, if they are honest, would admit that they are overwhelmed, too.

You don’t have to feel overwhelmed. If you look at the boundaries that you have set and established in your life (you have done that, haven’t you?), and you feel good about the fact that you are doing the very best that you can do, then there’s no more reasons for feeling overwhelmed.

How do you manage your life when you’re feeling overwhelmed? Tell me your story. I’m sure it will help other people who are feeling overwhelmed.

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Housing Tips

What to Know About Landlords

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

A reader requests, “Many retirees opt to sell their homes and rent apartments. It would be great to see something about dealing effectively with landlords as we age, particularly when it comes to important maintenance and safety issues. Many owner landlords are reluctant to spend money or manpower on maintenance; and don’t always take service requests or complaints submitted by older renters seriously and/or do not respond in a timely manner. And many seniors are reluctant to report or assert themselves for fear of reprisal or confrontational situations. Perhaps this falls somewhere under the “elder law” category?”

Drive out rent regulated tenants

Landlords trying to drive out rent-regulated tenants generally use the same harassment methods against the elderly as they do against younger residents. But people over 62 present both more profitable and more vulnerable targets.

  • Giving everyone in the building notices that their leases won’t be renewed. Though landlords can’t legally do that to rent-regulated tenants, this can scare people who don’t know their rights.
  • Offering to pay them to move, sometimes hiring “tenant relocation specialists” to couple buyout offers with threats of eviction.
  • In buildings that are still predominantly occupied by rent-stabilized tenants, failing to make repairs or provide heat and hot water. In buildings with vacant apartments, not bothering to limit the noise, mess and damage to other apartments caused by renovation work. (The Indypendent.)

Get the landlord to fix stuff

Responsiveness depends on several variables, including how tight a ship your super or management company runs.

  • Put it in writing. Rule number one of dealing with landlords is that you should always put your requests and complaints in writing.
  • Tip the super
  • Call 311
  • Take your landlord and the city to court.
  • Withhold rent
  • Work together with your neighbors
  • Do it yourself. (Brickunderground.com)

 

A landlord has a responsibility to keep the rental in a fit and habitable condition.

  • General Building Safety: The physical structure of the building must be safe for tenants to live in. The roof and foundation must be structurally sound. Entrances and exits must be easily accessible.
  • Plumbing Inspections: Plumbing must be up to code.
  • Electrical Inspections: All electrical work in the property must be up to code.
  • Fire Inspections: Rental properties must have the proper number of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and they must be in good, working order. Some towns will require these detectors to be hard-wired, while others allow battery operated detectors.

 

To learn more about your real estate rights, contact your State Attorney General’s Office.

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senior woman is using laptop
Hobbies

Guide for Seniors: How To Earn Money by Writing Essays Online

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Having an additional source of income is great, especially if you’re a senior student. Many students need extra money while in college or university, and the main reason is that tuition costs constantly grow. At the same time, there are many talented students who enjoy writing essays and other academic papers, unlike some of their peers. If you’re one of those students who never have any problems with writing tasks, then writing essays for money can be a great idea.

You can earn money by writing academic papers, but how much money you make depends on you. You may become a freelance writer or find a job at an essay writing company. There is a resource called legitwritingservices.com where you can find an essay writing company to work for. It reviews established essay writing services, so you can quickly find a trustworthy company to write more or less complex papers for.

Essay writing is a great option for dedicated writers who know how to write catchy content and possess in-depth knowledge of their field. Usually, the compensation depends on the type of paper and the word count. Another important factor that determines how much you can earn is your reputation so you need positive feedback from customers.

Choosing essay writing as a part-time or full-time job offers a number of advantages, and one of them is an opportunity to work from anywhere you want, with no need to sit in the office. That’s why the essay writing industry attracts different people, from graduate and post-graduate students to housewives and virtually anyone who is good at grammar and loves to write. As a result, this is a very competitive industry so if you want to earn money by writing essays, you should know how to do it the right way.

How To Start Writing Essays for Money

Start writing about anything you like

First, if you want to make writing your job, you should get used to the writing process, and the best solution is to practice as often as you can. Choose some familiar topics and write a few essays. Make sure to research your topics properly, selecting reputable sources, and adding properly formatted references. These essays will be useful not only because you will practice but also because you should have some samples to land a job.

Plan your work

Effective time management is crucial for essay writers because they get orders with different deadlines, and the necessary word count may also vary. Besides, you should always have enough time for researching, editing, and proofreading. You should also check all your papers for plagiarism because students only need original essays. Of course, custom writing offers much more flexibility than office jobs, but the main thing is to use this flexibility to your advantage, effectively planning your work.

Know your sources

When writing papers for students, getting all your information from Wikipedia is the worst solution. You should always use reliable sources. For example, you can use articles from peer-reviewed academic journals, official documents, and other reliable sources. Therefore, you must make sure that you can access all the necessary sources at any time. Here are some resources that might help you.

  • Google Scholar is a separate search engine dedicated to academic works. Many sources that you can find on Google Scholar may not be free, but this is a good starting point for your research.
  • Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) is a huge database that features more than 12,000 journals on different scientific subjects, and all of these journals can be accessed for free.
  • Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE) is a search engine that enables you to access more than 6,000 sources with over 140 million documents on different topics. Some of these sources only have paid access, but you can use search filters to look for free sources only.
  • CORE is the biggest open access aggregator on the internet. It gives you access to lots of research data published by various organizations from all over the world.

Where To Look for Customers

Many students who start to work as custom essay writers register on various freelance platforms. Unfortunately, such a solution has a number of significant disadvantages. First, such platforms usually have ranking systems so you won’t be able to get nice orders until your rank is high enough. At first, you will have to offer your services at the cheapest prices, hoping that someone will choose you to save money. Secondly, the competition on such platforms is extremely high so even if you rank well, you will still compete with hundreds of writers who offer the same services.

Another approach is to join an online writing service. In this case, all you have to do is prove that you have nice writing skills and the necessary knowledge by completing some tests and submitting a sample essay. Working with writing services also offers a number of other advantages.

Advantages of Working for Essay Writing Services

Access to a big client base

All well-established essay writing services already have a large client base and a constant flow of orders. Therefore, you won’t need to worry about not having enough customers. There are always some orders available so you can write a couple of papers every day.

Rewards for a good job

Many popular writing services with a good reputation have their systems of rewards and bonuses so that their writers have some additional motivation. Some services enable experienced and productive writers to earn more with every order, while others may even offer bonuses for good feedback from customers.

Support

Many writing services offer clear guidelines for writers to make sure that all customers will be satisfied. They provide writers with lots of useful materials on how to use different citation formats, use the right style, etc. Besides, writing services have customer support teams that can help resolve any issues that occur between you and your customers.

Essay services hire both native and non-native English writers

Some of the most expensive services only hire native English speakers, but the vast majority of companies also work with writers who have English as their second language. Usually, you just have to complete grammar tests and submit sample papers to prove that your level of English is good enough to work on students’ papers.

Wrapping Up

Custom essay writing is a great way to earn money for seniors. Making writing your job offers great flexibility, and if you’re good at what you’re doing, it can become a reliable source of income. However, you should stay dedicated and know what makes a good academic paper. Familiarize yourself with different citation formats and make sure to only use reliable sources in your research. We also recommend that you find a writing service with a good reputation that can provide you with a constant flow of orders.

 

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7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging
Aging

7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

“Growing older isn’t easy.” I hear those words from my friends and family. It’s hard to see them suffer physically, strain mentally and emotionally, and most of all struggle financially. 7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging
It’s common for us to reflect on the past and see our mistakes. We all have regrets. And if we look back long enough, we’d say, “If I could do it all again, I would..”
I’m sharing with readers what my older friends and acquaintances would tell their 21-year-old selves about life, taking care of the body, saving for retirement, and staying emotionally balanced.

  1. “Take care of your teeth. Plan for retirement. Stay physically fit and exercise forever. Enjoy the stamina you have now and don’t take it for granted. Talk to people over 60 the same way you would talk to anyone. Take a yoga class, drink water, find people to travel with. (FYI, I’d hate to be 21 again.)”
  2. “Ask, ‘Where do you want to be in 5 years,10 years,” and stretch that out to 20, 30, and 40. Review the realities of life; you may have a great paying job now, but that can and does often end. Prepare for ending up alone. Watch out for insincere people, your health, and know you are your best advocate. Enjoy life! As for the folks over 60; don’t talk down to them, they didn’t grow up with computers, cell phones, etc. And, they’re taking advantage of ‘slowing down and smelling the roses.’ So, push them. They’re neither stupid or lazy, but have different priorities.”
  3. “Save for the future. I was self-employed, so I made a habit of saving and investing. Compound interest is no joke. I set financial goals and worked toward them. But, don’t forget to enjoy life along the way!”
  4. “Respect your elders, one day you’ll be one. Pay it forward. Get to know a person by personal contact; visit them, call them, write to them, send cards. Texting a smiley face emoji is not bonding. Listen to the wisdom, write it down, pass it on.”
  5. “Watch out for people who sap your joy. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and lift you up. People who are 60 often feel 40 in their mind. They just move slower. Engage and ask them for advice. They have ‘been there, done that.”
  6. “Enjoy other people’s families. I’m an adopted Grandma and love it. I can do things for kids that their parents can’t. Sometimes, it’s just being listening ear. Sometimes it’s to introduce them to Times Square, theater, and fine dining experiences.”
  7. “Early on, find a mentor, someone who’s living the life you want, and listen closely to their advice.”

Sign up for my newsletter – send an email to Carol@Seniorcare.com and write “sign me up” in the subject line.
Retirement Lessons to Teach your Children

7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging

7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging 7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging 7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging 7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging 7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging 7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging 7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging 7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging 7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging 7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging

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Elderly woman visiting sick husband
Conditions & Treatments

Bedsores preventive treatment

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

What is a bedsore?

Bedsore is a skin condition arising from the exposure to the following factors:

  • Pressure causing local ischemia – cells which are deprived of oxygen die, and repeated periods of skin affecting pressure lead to inflammation – that can quickly lead to developing a bedsore.
  • Friction – rubbing peels the epidermis, making the skin weaker or even damaged. Skin irritation or damage promotes bedsore development.
  • Maceration – occurs when the skin is constantly exposed to moisture, what softens it, making it easy to get infected.

Agents causing macerations are:

  • sweat
  • urine
  • wound exudation

 

What promotes bedsore development?

  • Limited mobility – confinement, physical disability, etc.
  • Epidermis injury or abrasion
  • Improper skin care
  • General health problems – malnutrition, deficiency of protein, electrolytes and blood compounds
  • Atherosclerosis, diabetes
  • Prolonged exposure to wetness, which can be caused by choosing wrong incontinence management products
  • Too high ambient temperature causing excessive perspiration and skin chafes
  • Garments and bedclothes made of artificial, skin irritating materials
  • Internal seams in clothes, buttons, food bits on the mattress.

The most common places where bedsores occur

5 stages of bedsores

Bedsores are rated in stages – there are 5 depending on the level of development:

STAGE I – redness, which fades after eliminating the pressure; there is no skin damage.

STAGE II – redness which does not fade after relieving the pressure; surface swelling, skin erosion; painful epidermis injury.

STAGE III – deep skin damage reaching to the dermis (deeper skin structures); visible, swelling, rash; the bottom of the wound may be covered with dissolving tissue (yellow mass) or red granulation.

STAGE IV – the damage reaches down to the bone, skin necrosis occurs; dead tissue is present, and the bottom of the wound may be filled with black necrotic tissue.

STAGE V – this is the most advanced stage – necrosis reaches down to the muscles, what may lead to sepsis.

Bedsore preventive treatment

Healthy people, who are able to control their muscles, and are able to react to discomfort caused by pressure never develop bedsores. Their development in the case of people with limited mobility can be considerably reduced by following the rules of bedsore preventive treatment.

Do not ignore the symptoms

Skin redness, which doesn’t disappear after relieving pressure, blisters developing in the area under pressure, damaged epidermis – these symptoms should alert the carer. Constant skin observation is a crucial element of bedsore preventive treatment.

Try to eliminate risk factors

  • Body repositioning should be carried out regularly every 2–3 hours.
  • Decrease the pressure on the skin if bedsores start to develop the person you look after should not sit or lie on the body part affected by the changes.
  • Remember to separate the legs with a pillow when positioning on one’s side.
  • Get rid of rubber underpads – they tend to crease and fold – this puts pressure on the skin and blocks the air circulation.
  • Bedclothes should never be wet – if the person you look after wets the bed you should change the bedding.
  • Prevent injuries – this also includes scratches – clip your loved one’s nails short and file them.

Use special bedsore preventive equipment

  • Pressure reducing (anti bedsore) mattress
  • Anti bedsore pillows
  • Special bed underpads and mattress covers
  • Slip mats and sliding equipment used to reposition the person on the bed.

Try to activate your loved one as much as possible

  • Encourage the person under your care to do as many activities as possible.
  • Try to work on increasing mobility.
  • Do not relive the person you look after from every activity.

Use skin care

  • Delicately cleanse the skin using special cosmetics.
  • Avoid using products which affect the skin too much. Also avoid using powder with greasy products such as oil or rich cream.
  • Remember about intimate hygiene of the person you look after – cleanse these parts with delicate products and apply protection in those areas.
  • Check the skin condition every day – react promptly if you come across something disturbing.
  • Activate the skin through massage.

Ensure healthy diet for the person you look after

  • Daily diet should supply the organism with all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and microelements.
  • The diet should include cereals, dairy products, legumes, meat, fish, fruit and vegetables.
  • If bedsores start to develop it is advised to introduce a diet high in protein for some time.
  • Sweets, animal fat and salt consumption should be cut down or avoided.

If bedsores develop you need to consult a doctor immediately to plan the treatment. Treatment of bedsores takes time. It is a difficult process, however if you follow the doctor’s advice, it is possible to cure them.

 

Remember: the sooner you start to employ proper action, the quicker and more effective will be the treatment. Remember that it is easier to prevent, than cure.

 

You can find more information the best products to prevent bedsores at Senior.com.

-Provided by Seni, maker of skin care and incontinence products.

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Hobbies

4 Reasons Knitting’s Perfect for Seniors & Caregivers

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

The resurgence of knitting has been one of the more surprising trends of the past few years. Despite its old-fashioned reputation, knitting has quietly become a cross-generational phenomenon. 4 Reasons Knitting’s Perfect for Seniors & Caregivers
One reason for knitting’s newfound popularity is its impact on knitters’ well-being. Younger knitters have discovered that yarn and needles are the perfect pick-me-up — something older knitters have known for years. Meanwhile, researchers have discovered a host of health benefits to knitting, impacting emotional, mental, and physical health.
A closer look at these benefits reveals something surprising: it turns out that knitting is the perfect hobby for caregivers and seniors alike. Don’t believe us? Here are four reasons why seniors and caregivers should take up knitting.

1. Knitting Reduces Caregiver Stress

Knitting has a remarkable effect on emotional and mental health. In studies and surveys, knitting has been shown to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression in knitters.
Researchers have found that knitting reduces cortisol levels, one of the strongest bio-indicators of stress and anxiety. Meanwhile, more than 80% of knitters who suffer from clinical depression say that the act of knitting makes them feel happier. Experts say that knitting has a similar effect to meditation, one of the most well-documented cures for stress.
This makes knitting an ideal hobby for many caregivers, who suffer from stress and depression at far higher rates than the rest of the population.

2. Knitting Boosts Heart Health

Knitting’s therapeutic effects aren’t limited to mental and emotional wellness. The hobby is also linked with lower blood pressure, a key component of cardiovascular health. That’s no big surprise, given that high stress levels are a recognized risk factor for elevated blood pressure and other heart problems.
While knitting can help cardiovascular health, it is a sedentary activity and a poor replacement for physical exercise. So, make sure that you’re still getting adequate levels of moderate cardiovascular activity.

3. Knitting Helps Fight Arthritis

You might think that knitting is the last activity that you should recommend to someone with arthritis. But experts say that knitting is an ideal hobby for almost anyone who suffers from mild to moderate arthritis, or is at risk of developing arthritis later in life.
The secret lies in knitting’s effect on joint cartilage. Unlike other activities that use your hands, knitting isn’t strenuous enough to damage cartilage. In fact, the repetitive action of knitting strengthens existing cartilage. This prevents the development or worsening of arthritis in your fingers, hands, and wrists.

4. Knitting Prevents Cognitive Decline

One of the most surprising scientific findings about knitting is that it seems to slow and prevent cognitive decline. A Mayo Clinic study found that crafting activities like knitting reduced rates of cognitive decline by 30% to 50% among adults between the ages of 70 and 89.
This is welcome news for seniors experiencing the first signs of cognitive impairment. It’s equally welcome news for family caregivers who are at risk of developing cognitive impairment later in life.
Given the genetic component of Alzheimer’s disease, family caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s could benefit from knitting more than anyone. If you care for someone with Alzheimer’s, and you’re at risk of developing it yourself, you can use knitting as to fight both Alzheimer’s disease and caregiver stress.
Thinking of giving knitting a try? Here are few quick tips for seniors and caregivers:

  • Knitting’s easy to take with you. So, if you’re a caregiver, consider packing a take-along knitting kit for moments where you need to de-stress.
  • Seniors with arthritis who find knitting uncomfortable can try using larger needles and threads, which don’t require such fine hand movements.
  • Knitting can be a lot of fun with a partner. Family caregivers might wish to try knitting with their loved one.
  • If your loved one needs a knitting partner for when you’re not there, you might want to consider companion caregiver services.

Need a knitting companion for an elderly loved one or someone to provide respite care services? Contact Visiting Angels at 800-365-4189 today or contact your local office for detailed information on companion caregiver services.

4 Reasons Knitting’s Perfect for Seniors & Caregivers

4 Reasons Knitting’s Perfect for Seniors & Caregivers 4 Reasons Knitting’s Perfect for Seniors & Caregivers 4 Reasons Knitting’s Perfect for Seniors & Caregivers 4 Reasons Knitting’s Perfect for Seniors & Caregivers 4 Reasons Knitting’s Perfect for Seniors & Caregivers 4 Reasons Knitting’s Perfect for Seniors & Caregivers 4 Reasons Knitting’s Perfect for Seniors & Caregivers 4 Reasons Knitting’s Perfect for Seniors & Caregivers 4 Reasons Knitting’s Perfect for Seniors & Caregivers
 
 
 

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couple of seniors on the terrace having fun and enjoying - man with laptop
Tech Support

7 Benefits of Social Media for Older Adults

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Social media is a website where people all over the world gather to socialize over the internet. It’s a large online community where people create a network of friends and acquaintances. Most platforms allow to set up gatherings, grassroots movements, charity funds, and many other social movements that can take place in the real world.

Humans are social beings and need the company of others; that’s why we invented social media. It’s an excellent way to keep up with distant family, relatives, and friends. More so, these sites allow you to stay in touch with businesses, organizations, and many other points of interest.

Sure, social media shouldn’t be an exclusive way of socialization. The platform keeps everybody connected virtually to allow the possibility of meeting up and spending quality time together. Unfortunately, that’s not possible in some cases where distance, money, and time schedules are too problematic. Nevertheless, technology helps us bridge the gaps through chat rooms and voice/video calls that are readily-available through social media.

Older adults and seniors could greatly benefit from social media. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) chairwoman, Lisa Marsh Ryerson, explains how 40% of people over 65 experience considerable loneliness. The pandemic exacerbates these stats as social distance, lockdowns, and curfews prevent social gatherings. Here’s where social media can help. The only issue is that not everybody’s proficient in operating a computer and navigating the internet. Statistics show that almost 30% of people over 65 don’t use the internet. Unfortunately, digital illiteracy isn’t the only cause: 23% of older adults have a health condition that bars them from reading. Some apps help with reading, listening, and navigation but most of the time, the people in question aren’t auto-sufficient to install such programs. Before looking at social media’s main benefits, let’s summarize some ways to learn how to use a computer and go beyond health barriers.

Where can I learn to use the computer/internet?

Learning how to use a PC from specialized private companies might prove the fastest way to learn, but it’s also the most expensive. Consider other alternatives such as:

  • Local schools and community colleges
  • Government-sponsored PC courses
  • Freelance home tutors

What software helps navigation for people with health issues?

 

Studies show that 77% of seniors need assistance when learning new technologies. It’s essential to have a tutor when learning how to use a computer, the internet, or any new technology. Otherwise, the frustration from not understanding might shut down the individual and eliminate future learning possibilities. Asking for help from a relative or social worker might be the best first step to get online.

Now that we got some specifics out of the way, let’s get into the seven benefits of social media for older adults and seniors:

Long-distance family and relatives

Social media websites like Facebook and Instagram are perfect places to find distanced family members. After creating an account and putting up some photos of yourself and a few biography lines, you’ll first get in touch with your closest family and friends. The website’s algorithm will identify people you might know and suggest that you add them to your friend list. Similarly, once you register, your friends and family will see you online and do the same thing.

Social media’s specialty is connecting people who might know each other through geo-localization, big data, and different complex algorithms assisted by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Similar search automation means that you won’t do the heavy lifting when browsing for contacts. The only thing that depends on you is accepting or rejecting friend requests.

New acquaintances and old friends

Social media is an excellent way not just to get in touch with old friends, but to make new ones, as well. There are a number of ways you can connect with a new person and develop a relationship. For instance, you’re able to comment on news videos, movie trailers, and other types of media. Your comment becomes public, and other people can see it or even reply to it. One thing leads to another, and you get a friend request from the person you’re talking to in the comment section. You can now talk privately with the person and develop a valuable friendship online that can materialize in real-life.

Through networking, you can connect with old friends from your childhood. By adding friends of friends, you may stumble upon a dear lost pal that the algorithm missed. There are even private groups that specialize in getting together lost friendships.

Social engagement in the community

Ever wanted to change something in your neighborhood? Or do charity acts in your community? Well, with social media, galvanizing people is much easier and more effective. You can set up or participate in local, national, or global social campaigns.

Social media suggests gatherings you might be interested in, just like it recommends people you might know. A typical event indicates the time and place of the meeting, alongside a brief explanation. For example, protesting a new law, showing support for veterans, helping underprivileged families, and similar activities are commonplace on social media.

After forming a friend network and gaining a little experience, you too can organize an event with just a couple of clicks. As long as you respect the rules and regulations, you can create the most imaginative event that comes to mind. Maybe you’d like to organize a park outing club or a late-night online conference group; the possibilities are endless.

Education and instruction

The internet is infinite, and so are the educational resources on social media. There are videos about cooking the perfect turkey to industry-specific training material. In any case, educational videos are excellent tools for everybody, regardless of age. It stimulates the mind and provides easy-to-learn knowledge through narration, schematization, and simulation.

Virtually any social media website has a search bar, usually identifiable by the magnifying glass symbol. There, you can type your interests and get numerous videos, MP3 recordings, e-books, and other valuable resources.

Great place for entertainment

Social media is full of entertainment in many forms. Music, short movies, hilarious comment sections, witty photos, and memesare just a couple of examples of social media fun.

More so, platforms like Facebook have tons of games you could play directly on your internet browser. You could even play cooperative games with several other friends. It may seem like kid’s play for some. Still, computer games are healthy occupations for older adults as they improve cognitive functions in the brain. Video games relax the user and promote pleasure hormone secretion.

Other ways of entertainment include subscribing to social media groups. There are two types:

  • Public groups where everyone can see the posts and participate in the discussion.
  • Private groups where you first need to get accepted before participating or seeing published posts.

 

These inner communities cater to their specific interests such as military, sports, hobbies, world affairs, and everything in-between.

More business opportunities

Social media connects not only people but businesses and institutions worldwide. It’s a useful platform for professional networking of any kind. You can find everything from individual freelancers to multi-continental corporations. On top of your personal profile, you can create a business profile to further your horizons in the vast sea of capitalism.

Furthermore, most sites have a marketplace section where people sell, buy, and trade different items. Maybe you’d like to organize a garage sale or buy something at a discount. Both new and used objects are imported and exported globally through social media by the thousands each year.

The marketplace also has a job trading section where employers and workers can interact. Here you can find computer home tutors, people that will mow your lawn, etc.

Feeling connected to the world

Finally, the last point of our list refers to a particular feeling when surfing on social media. More specifically, the idea that you’re connected to everybody and everything. Although you can’t be friends with all the people in the world, you could theoretically reach anyone through social media. The network is enormous and intertwined, so even if you’re not directly connected to a stranger in Shanghai, you’re indirectly connected to him through a “friends of friends” web.

It may not seem as much for some, but it helps remind lonely people that they’re not completely isolated. Social media gives the possibility to solitary people to connect and ease the suffering of being alone. That’s why there are so many dedicated support groups online.

Social media used correctly has nothing but benefits for older adults. It reconnects family, old buddies, and forges new friendships. Social media is a great way to participate in your community, form interest groups, and seek new business opportunities. There are many resources for educational and entertainment purposes, all while keeping connected to the whole wide world.

By Nick van Migrot

Nick van Migrot is an award-winning content and essay writer from Los Angeles, California. He’s a best bet when it comes to topics such as business management, digital marketing, and finance. He also writes for Bestessay.com. Nick is the father of a lovely toddler and a semi-professional long-distance runner. Hit him up on Twitter.

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Senior man with depression having therapy with psychologist
Conditions & Treatments

5 Things People With Depression Need to Do Each Day

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

When you are depressed, it is difficult to be motivated. But people with depression can get help, reach out to speak with a professional counselor to talk through your issues and improve your life. You deserve to be happy.

There are things you can do to manage your depression. Small life adjustments that you may not feel like doing but will actually improve your life if you do.

Begin Your Morning

After you wake up in the morning, get out of bed. When you are depressed, negative thoughts can spiral. Rather than allowing those negative feelings to gain energy, start moving. Get up, make your bed, and don’t get back into bed until it is time to sleep again.

Then, make it part of your daily routine to immediately do something you enjoy. That could mean reading a joke out of a joke book or downloading an app on your phone that gives you a daily inspirational message. The goal is to bring a joyful feeling to your day, straight away.

People with Depression Benefit from Staying Clean and Eating Healthy

Even if you don’t have a job to go to or lunch plan with friends, take a shower. When people are depressed, sometimes they skip getting clean and their bathing habits deteriorate. But a daily shower can really help to boost your mood and keep you healthy.

Another basic daily habit that can help both your physical and mental health is to feed your body nutritious food. If you live alone, you may be relying on fast food, frozen meals, or take out. These could be ok as a sometimes meal, but they should not be your daily diet. If you have been relying heavily on convenience foods, make changes today. Start with committing to one healthy, homemade meal a day. From there, your healthy habits can grow.

Connect with Others and Yourself

If you have a spouse or partner in your life, make efforts to communicate with them. People with depression can be difficult to live with, learning how to communicate your appreciation for the other person could help them, your relationship, and yourself.

For individuals who are single and living alone, make it a priority to connect with other people. When people feel bad about themselves, they often avoid their friends and family. They simply don’t want to talk about it. But the thing is, loneliness can exacerbate depression and other mental health issues. Get out of the house, say hello to your neighbors. Meet a friend for coffee and have a conversation.

There are things people with depression can do to improve their lives, including meditating and focusing on positive thoughts. It is important to train your mind to be open to positive thinking. Depression can limit your thinking to negative self-talk, but your depression isn’t who you are. You are more. You can be happy.

Be a part of the world. Get out of bed, take a shower, eat well, reach out to friends and neighbors or take a walk through the neighborhood. People with depression can change, connect with a counselor if you need help on your journey to happiness.

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Conditions & Treatments

Living with Essential Tremor: Three Important Pieces of Advice

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

March is Essential Tremor Awareness month and I’d like to share my journey with essential tremor, which is unique, just like every person living with this condition. My tremors developed and progressed over a number of years. Gradually, everyday tasks, such as using the trackpad on my laptop, became harder to do. Logging onto my computer and clicking on boxes on the screen was very difficult and drove not just me but my husband crazy! I also experienced what I called a tsunami in my cup from the beverage splashing out of the cup or having food fall off the fork, onto my plate in the middle of a restaurant. My son, noticing my tremors were getting worse, encouraged me to speak to my doctor about treating my tremors.

With my son’s encouragement, I spoke to my doctor about treatment options for essential tremor. In general, I tend to react poorly to medication – and brain stimulation or surgery were not options with which I was comfortable. Following my doctor’s appointment, I did research and found a local support group, where I was able to connect with others living with essential tremor and to learn about their experiences and management methods, which I found extremely helpful.

Through my involvement in the San Ramon Essential Tremor Support Group, I was introduced to many people who were living with essential tremor, as well as interesting speakers who came to talk to the group about treatment options and advances in the essential tremor arena. One of the guest presentations was from Cala Trio; two individuals came to our group to speak about a new medical device and wanted to know if anybody would like to participate in a study. They said that Cala Trio™ was a non-invasive, wrist-worn, targeted therapy device. It works by providing gentle stimulation to the nerves in the wrist. That stimulation interferes with the area of the brain where the tremors originate. This instantly piqued my interest, and I volunteered right away. It has been a few years since that initial meeting, and I’m thrilled to say that Cala Trio has greatly improved my life.

For those impacted by essential tremor, here are three pieces of advice:

  1. Find a support group: It can be easy to feel isolated and frustrated with yourself quickly, but a support group is an excellent way to meet with others sharing the same struggles as you and will connect you with numerous resources to aid in your everyday life. You may even learn some helpful techniques from your fellow members, like the importance of lids and straws for drinks, asking a waiter to have your meal pre-cut in the kitchen, and even the new technology offered on your smartphone to assist with dialing a phone number or writing a text message. Through my local support group, I have found additional materials that have been helpful such as the International Essential Tremor Foundation’s
  2. Be an advocate for yourself and talk to your doctor about what kind of treatment plan works best for you: I have always been a huge advocate for myself and encourage you all to do the same. What saddens me the most is how many people don’t realize what essential tremor is, including physicians. I did my own research and participated in a trial with Cala Trio. After my participation in the study, I took all my information on Cala Trio to my primary care physician to discuss getting a prescription for the device, as I found this treatment option worked the best for me. I can honestly say the results I have seen with Cala Trio have been remarkable.
  3. Listen to your body: Pay attention to what factors might be making your tremors worse, such as caffeine consumption or fatigue, as both exacerbate tremors. Get plenty of rest, and don’t push yourself too hard. Essential tremor can be triggered by stress, so in addition to plentiful amounts of rest, take time to check in with yourself mentally, and make time for activities that relax you. Go for daily walks with a loved one, work on a passion project, do whatever you need to do to ensure your stress levels are at a minimum every day.

 

Living with essential tremor is challenging, but there are numerous ways to improve your quality of life without surgical treatment. This Essential Tremor Awareness Month, I encourage you to bolster your support system, talk to your physician about treatment plans that work for you, and listen to what your body needs; you just might find these steps will make all the difference.

By: Holly Love

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Cala Health

 

 

 

 

 

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