Joan’s Boomer Blog

I always laugh when I hear about people who have a million dollars saved for retirement and want to know if that’s enough! I suppose there are people out there who have millions saved, but I don’t know any personally. Money is undoubtedly important in planning for retirement, especially for us non-millionaires, but retirement is also a time for reassessing your life and deciding what things are most important to you in the second half of life.

Some questions to ask yourself when you’re facing retirement in the coming years:

1.  How do I see myself spending my days?

If you are working and choose a retirement date, what do you see yourself doing on day 1 or day 2 of retirement? How about day 352? If you retire with no plan in mind for how you will spend your time, you may just end up being one of those old guys or gals who sits on the front porch in a rocking chair. There’s nothing wrong with relaxing but you’ll soon get bored if that’s all you do.

Chances are, if you are working still, your days are busy and purposeful, even if the purpose is collecting a paycheck so you can put some away for the long-awaited retirement. To be successful in retirement, you will still need a purpose for getting out of bed. What will your purpose be?

When your days stretch endlessly before you, it’s important to have a plan for how you will use them.

2.  Ask yourself what your interests and hobbies are right now.

Do you have interests and hobbies beyond working and paying bills. I have to tell you, these aren’t really classified in the hobby section. If you don’t have any interests that excite you and are fun to do, maybe you should acquire some before retiring to help you pass the time later on.

If money is an issue it might be better not to take up a hobby like knitting (you should see my yarn stash!), collecting old cars or golf. These type of hobbies and interests can get expensive. If you are interested in these things anyway, figure out how to turn a profit from your hobby. Teach classes, write a blog or ebook to support your hobby.

Some interests don’t have to cost money, or at least not much. Interested in Civil War history? Visit Civil War battlefields, research battles on the internet or volunteer at a local museum. Do you love miniature railroads? Find a miniature railroad museum which needs help. Volunteering is a wonderful way to share your interest or hobby with others and still feel you are giving a valuable service.

Some hobbies or interests are free to do and might make you a buck or two. Write that great American novel you’ve always wanted to write or take up hiking, which is great exercise too.

3. Am I healthy and if not, what can I do about it?

The pursuit of good Health can be very time-consuming and retirement is a great place to put your mind to being healthier. Take up walking daily or join the local Y and take classes. You can make friends or join social groups at the Y or at Senior centers too.

Grow a garden so you have plenty of fresh veggies to eat. I have a friend who gets free cuttings for berry plants and other perrenials for his garden. You can also trade seeds or get heirloom seeds so you can save them from year to year if money is an issue. If you life in the city, you can still grow lots of food in containers.

In retirement you can spend some time reading about any health issues you may have and what you can do about them. Many doctors shove a pill at you and head out the door, partly because they don’t feel that patients will follow their advice anyway about what else they can do to improve the situation.

if you need to lose weight, retirement is a great time to put your mind to this health issue. You now have time to keep a food journal, get out and exercise and read up on healthy eating.

4.  Have I made time to cultivate friendships to last through retirement?

When you retire, it’s important to have friends to spend your time with. If you don’t have a few good friends now to have lunch or coffee with, plan on where you’ll look for some when you are retired. Joining a hobby or volunteer group, seeking out the local senior center or Y, or taking a class are good places to begin.

5.  What do I still want to accomplish in my life, now that I have some time?

Maybe at one time in your life, you thought when you retired you’d read every Shakespeare play ever written but do you still want to do that? Goals change over time and when you’re facing retirement it’s a good time to reassess goals. What is important is that you have goals! Choose a top 10 list of things you want to do in retirement - and I don’t mean fixing that hinge that’s been squeaking for the past year. Think bigger. What have you always wanted to do but never had time for?

I used to do a lot of beadwork and when I didn’t have time for it anymore, I thought of just selling my bead stash, books, etc. My mom talked me out of it because she said, “You never know if you might want to take it up again when you have time.” So I kept everything and “when I have time” beadwork is there if I want to do it.

My mom used to sew for us as we grew up and when she retired and had time, she took up quilting. She turned out the most beautiful quilts and we were all able to benefit from her hobby.

I’m sure there are many more important questions you can ask yourself when preparing to retire that have nothing to do with money. What are some of the things you’ve considered?

Many seniors suffer from chronic lung diseases like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), chronic bronchitis, emphysema or asthma. It’s important to work with your doctor and follow prescribed treatments for these lung problems but there are many natural remedies which boost lung health, increase lung capacity and ease symptoms. Following a good lung health program can keep these debilitating health issues from getting worse and in many cases, help them improve.

Recently I had a case of bronchitis, something I haven’t had in many years. An xray showed “chronic bronchitis” or emphysema, probably a hold over from my time as a smoker many years ago. I quit smoking for good when I became pregnant with my daughter 25 years ago but some damage was done.

I spent 10 years as a hospital corpsman in the Navy and I saw people of all ages dragging oxygen bottles around behind them, barely able to breathe. The thought of that always scared me, but not enough to make me stop smoking at the time.

With visions of oxygen tanks dancing in my head, I had some decisions to make. At this point, the doctor was not telling me I needed inhalers or medications, only that if I got a bad cold or bronchitis again, I’d have to start treatments right away to avoid it making this lung condition worse. I’m very glad now that the health program I’ve been on for the past 15 years was aimed at increasing my immune system so I only rarely even get colds, much less bronchitis.

I’ve always been very proactive when it comes to health and finding alternative remedies for any health condition that comes up. Lung problems and breathing conditions have many alternative therapies to improve the quality of life and slow the progression.

The first thing I did was purchase a POWERbreathe Plus 2 Fitness Model Lung Muscle Trainer - A couple of years ago, our daughter, who played softball in college, was having breathing problems due to allergies and I got her one of these to work with. She said using the Powerbreathe twice a day really expanded her lung capacity and made it easier to breathe. I thought this would be just the thing to help me improve my breathing and open my airways. I’ve worked with it almost daily for a couple months and I’ve really noticed the improvement. The Powerbreathe has really helped my lungs feel clearer and I can breathe deeper since using it. It’s easy to use and easy to keep clean as well.

Foods for Lung Health

We drink green smoothies so it’s easy to incorporate foods for lung health but even if you aren’t a green smoothie fan, you can eat some of these foods daily:

Increase the antioxidants in your diet by eating lots of fruits and veggies, especially those containing carotenes:

• carrots
• sweet potatoes
• yellow squash
• leafy green vegetables

As a natural remedy for serious lung conditions such as COPD, be sure you get at least 9 servings of fruits and veggies daily. Eat lots of blueberries, broccoli, spinach and other healthy foods packed with antioxidants.

Drink lots of green tea and white tea - These drinks are loaded with antioxidants and nutrients which boost the immune system.

Eat Flax seeds or chia seeds - great sources of Omega 3 Fatty Acids and other lung healthy nutrients.

Improve Your Immune System with Supplements for Lung Health

• Astragalus -a Chinese tonic herb that enhances immune function. You can find it at your local health food store in a a tincture or capsule form. Look for standardized astragalus and follow dosing instructions.
• Co-Enzyme Q10 or CoQ10 improves the use of oxygen at the cellular level. Take at least 60 mg twice a day of the softgel form. CoQ10 works best when taken with a meal containing some fat.
• Vitamin D not only increases immunity to colds and flu but it also helps improve lung function in those with asthma, COPD and other lung diseases. Many, if not most, patients with lung illnesses test deficient in Vitamin D. The best source of Vitamin D is D3. Dr. Andrew Weil recommends 2,000 IU daily.
• Omega3 Fatty acids are healthy fats which improve heart function but are also great for the lungs. The American Heart Association recommends 2 to 4 grams per day, either from supplements or from sources like fish, chia seeds or flax seeds.

More Information on boosting your immune system naturally.

Gentle Exercise Improves COPD, Emphysema and Asthma

Exercise increases lung capacity and stamina, both of which are lost in chronic lung conditions. Start by walking, increasing speed and distance or take a water aerobics class, which is good for building your body but easy on your joints.

Try yoga - Yoga is a gentle stretching exercise that focuses on deep breathing. Yoga can build your body, your lungs and your immune system.

Tai Chi is another gentle form of flowing exercise that focuses on breathing.

Functional Fitness for COPD and Asthma - an on demand rental from Amazon which you can use for 7 days for just $1.99. If you decide you like the exercises in the video, you can also purchase it. These exercises require no special equipment and can help reduce the symptoms of asthma and COPD, plus there is some explanation of these conditions.

Practice Deep Breathing Exercises to increase lung capacity.

Other Natural Remedies for Health

Try the Healing Code by Alex Lloyd. This simple 6 minute process has helped thousands heal naturally from any health problem.

Brush and floss your teeth - Bacteria from gum disease can worsen conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Read Dr. Mercola’s article on this topic.

Stay tuned for more natural remedies for COPD, Emphysema and Asthma. Tomorrow’s posting will be about yoga breathing techniques to improve lung capacity. If you’re a baby boomer approaching retirement, you want to enjoy the second half of life and not be side-lined by chronic lung diseases.

The holidays are around the corner and coming up with a gift idea for someone who uses a walker or is confined to a wheel chair can be challenging. Giving the gift of health is especially important in these circumstances so here are a few ideas:

• Clip-on Cup Holder for Walkers, Wheelchairs Drinking lots of water is very important for health and with this clip on cup holder, someone confined to a wheelchair or using a walker will always have water handy.

• Walker Basket with Beverage Holder Tray - Walker Accessory This handy basket clips onto the front of the walker to keep water bottles, magazines, medications, just about anything, always within easy reach.

• Walker or Wheelchair Insulated Cup Holder Another cup holder, but insulated to keep drinks hot or cold.

• Carry-All Walker Pouch - Navy Carryall that attaches to the front of the walker in various colors.

• Lotions and bath salts to soothe tired muscles.

• Bain D’esprit - Vanilla Almond Spa Bath and Body Gift Set Relaxing bath and skin products - all put together in a beautiful basket.

• Sloping Orthopedic Seat Cushion - Medium Firm - Arthritis Product for comfort when sitting for long hours.

• A massager for sore, tired muscles.

• Case Logic Lap Organizer for Wheelchair to keep many items within easy reach.

These are just a few healthy gift ideas for someone using a walker or confined to a wheelchair.

Here are more healthy gift ideas suitable for anyone on your list.

Here are some terrific healthy gift ideas from Dr. Andrew Weil.