March 2020

3 things to help you stay healthy both physically and mentally during the corona virus.

Keeping healthy both physically and mentally.

In the last few months, our lives have done a 180. We have gone from moving about as we wish, to staying at home mandates. What was just an issue in China, is now here on our land. This is undoubtedly one of the hardest times we have seen. What a response we have seen, with others helping others.

Over the next several weeks, we will continue to need to stay home as much as possible. We will have to only go to the grocery store, gas station, pharmacy and doctor offices. During this time our normal social interactions will be greatly decreased.

Humans need social interactions, we depend on them to learn, love, and share. We love our families. However, being with only them, can become very irritating over time. Not being able to get out and do things can weigh on our mental health. Even the strongest mentally healthy folks can have anxiety and depression symptoms in these times.

What can you do to help yourself during these times?

First, stay healthy. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds. Read my hand washing blog here. Keep your family healthy by not getting out in public and possibly being exposed to the Corona virus. Simple things, like disinfecting your hard surfaces, cooking at home, keeping up on housework can all help you to stay healthy.

Second, learn, read, work on a hobby, teach others by writing or making a video. Find a reason to get up and do something every day. If we allow ourselves to just lay around, and not have a reason to get up, we can start feeling depressed. We can start having issues with anxiety. We have to be proactive and keep doing our daily task. Even though many are home working or laid off right now. This is the time for ourselves. Remember all those things you have said “I will do that when I have time”? This is the time!

Third, DO NOT allow all of this to take over your world. The corona virus is scary. It is happening. It is very contagious. We need to take it seriously. However, do what you can to keep calm during this time. If you need help, ask for it. There are others who can help you. If you are elderly, or you are immunodeficient allow others to help. This virus is not discriminatory, it will take any host that it can find.

I challenge you to check in on others (via phone) if you are able to help them. If you deliver needed items, drop them off at the door. If you need something, please reach out to your local community center, family, school district, or church family to let them know what you need. Please stay safe at home as much as possible. If you do get sick, contact your primary care provider by phone first, and follow their recommendations. While there are more testing sites available, talk with your primary care office first.

Keep in touch with us at Exploring life after 50!

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Hand washing and Coronavirus!

“Did not wash hands” Coronavirus is spreading, we can help by washing our hands. Read to find out more.

Have you ever wished there was a big sign outside the restroom that flashed “DID NOT WASH HANDS”? Most of us think of hand washing after using the restroom. However, do you wash them correctly? Most people do not! I have read up to 95% of people, wash their hands incorrectly. What is proper technique? Here is a video to watch.

Unfortunately, it takes a major health scare, like coronavirus, to encourage us to WASH OUR HANDS. Since we were little, we have heard wash your hands. All through elementary school, middle school, high school we were told to wash our hands. We taught our children the same thing. So now let’s get to the reason behind washing our hands.

Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is a way to scrub germs off of your hands. You should wash your hands:

Before and after eating
After using the restroom
Before and after cooking (especially raw meat)
After changing a baby diaper
After petting animals
When visibly soiled
Visiting elderly family either at their home or the hospital
Any other time you think to wash your hands.
Pretty much after any activity.

Hand washing is the most effective form of staying healthy. It helps prevent spreading infections such as diarrheal illnesses and respiratory illness. There have been many studies about hand washing and found that most people do not take the time to wash hands properly. Most give the reason “I don’t have time to spend 20 secs washing my hands”. Especially caregivers who go from one patient to another. This prompted the invention of hand sanitizers as they can be used in place of soap and water, during most situations. Hand sanitizers are hanging on the walls in most public areas. You wave your hand, and a palm full of sanitizer is released. You then can rub hands together until it is dried. Read the recommendations, as most say that you should still use soap and water every so many times of using sanitizer.

The coronavirus is among us and most likely a large percentage of us will get exposed. The best practices to help stop the spread is social isolation and hand washing. The CDC has this information about hand washing in PDF forms, PDF handouts you can print to use at home and office to help with education and remind others to wash hands.

I found a great article from the Minnesota Department of Health about what type of soap to use, plain or antibacterial, liquid or bar, and when should you use hand sanitizer. These are a little different from what the CDC states in the above video, but both offer great information.

Thanks for taking time to read about hand washing. I challenge you to WASH THOSE HANDS FOR AT LEAST 20 SECONDS with soap in all the scenarios listed above and any other time you think of it. Let’s help stop this virus!

Magic Pill

We all want that quick fix, pop a pill in my mouth, and all my troubles go away. You get the idea. In America we are very automatic. We want quick gratification. We don’t want to have to put forth the effort to get skinny, healthy, smart, or the income that we want.

Let’s talk about the “magic pill”. We all want that quick fix, pop a pill in my mouth, and all my troubles go away. You get the idea. In America we are very automatic. We want quick gratification. We don’t want to have to put forth the effort to get skinny, healthy, smart, or have the income that we want.

Let’s talk about BMI. No one really wants to talk about their weight, including me. There are all kinds of scales and charts that tell us if you are this tall, you should weigh this much. And while it’s true we should be a decent weight; we should also be fit. If you watch TV no doubt, you will see one diet plan, after another diet plan, after a diet pill. In between all of those commercials you will find the commercials for all the local restaurants.

Food is a huge part of our world. We have to start looking at food for what it is. Food is fuel for our bodies. I, like most, indulge probably more than I should. Actually, I know i indulge more than I should. We tend to eat when we’re at social events, because we’re bored, because we’re studying, because we see someone eating. That is a habit that is hard to break. Therefore, it may be easier just to make better choices.

Even though some commercials say they have that magic pill (there’s not one). As with anything in life, we have to want it badly enough that we change our habits to make it happen. If you want your BMI to be with in normal limits, you have to decide that is what you want, and then exercise and eat in moderation. There’s no quick easy way.

My challenge to you is to work hard on whatever your goal. To put in the work and make that goal yours. Your return will be a healthier you. Sometimes it is a matter of accountability. Please feel free to comment with what you have accomplished each week. Let others see your ideas and give you praise for your accomplishments.

2 States, Many Friends, and an 80th Birthday!

Have you lived in more than one location in your life? If you have, no doubt you have made great friends, who live in these areas. We have lived in Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. Last weekend we decided to take a road trip and visit some of those friends. We also went to see my husbands Dad to deliver his 80^th birthday gift. We saw 9 great friends, 2 states, and 4 towns.

Our trip began with a five hour drive and meeting with Jo and Rog. What a great evening, eating dinner with two wonderful friends. We met at Blind Tiger in Topeka Kansas. We have such a great time, every time we get together with Jo and Rog. Dinner was delicious and the time flew. We got caught up on grand babies and travel plans. Hated to leave but they had to work the next morning. Next time, again, we will talk like there are no miles between us. We will continue to communicate via electronics, but nothing beats seeing them in person.

It was interesting driving through cities and towns we have lived or worked in. Amazed how the roads are still terrible. You would think the streets would be more of a priority. It brings to mind a statement I heard several years back that if the roads get bad enough the people will approve a tax hike to fix the roads. I didn’t think much of it at the time. But, here we are several years later and still terrible roads. You would think being the capitol city of the state that the roads would be a priority. And No, I am not talking about back roads, but some of the major roads. We pay taxes when we buy gas, click here to see more information. A portion of the gas tax is to help with fixing roads.

Traveling comes with potential issues. Luckily, we were traveling where we knew dealerships, when a warning light came on in our car. We knew where to go to get good service. Valor Motors took our car in and within an hour they diagnosed it and fixed our issue. Then off to our home away from home for a couple of days. Tips to finding quality car repair click here.

Tony and Tami are great friends and opened their home to us for a couple days. We are blessed to have so many great friends. They recently moved into their dream home in the country. It was quiet out there; you can see for miles. We went to dinner at a place called Mr. K’s farmhouse. This is the first place we went to eat together many years ago. We had a great time reminiscing about that first dinner.

Saturday Morning, we were off to see another great couple. Audie and Kasey. Wow, just like we had talked yesterday, other than their granddaughters have grown so much. We talked for hours and loved getting to see each other. Discussed future plans and their daughters upcoming wedding. We had pizza and wings, and watched a movie. It just like old times. It is times like these that make it seem there are no miles between us in friendship.

That evening we headed back to our home away from home for a cookout. Tony is such a great griller and smokes meat like no other. Our dinner was great, conversation even better, and off to bed.

Sunday we got up early to head toward our home towns (we grew up 10 miles away from each other). In the “fly over states” that is two different towns, not one city. Off to see more great family and friends.

We ate lunch in Winfield with my bestie from Preschool, Crystal. Just like all our stops this trip, we talked like we see each other all the time. Got to spend a couple hours with her. Hear about her kids, jobs, and talked about this blog. She is going to help with the proofing. That is taking her time to help me. True giving of her time. And, yes, I would do it for her also. Again, time flew! But we will be talking more with our new endeavor.

We headed to see David’s dad for his 80th birthday with us. Due to jobs and time we chose to celebrate a little early. We offered to take him out to dinner and he chose Wendy’s. When you live in a smaller town this is fine dining, hahaha. David worked many hours on his dad’s birthday present. His dad saw us bring in a white box and told his friend Libby “I think they brought in a cake”. When he opened the gift, he was not disappointed that it was not a cake. He loved his new artwork.

The stained glass picture David made for his Dad.

After dinner we were off to see more long-time great friends. Darrell and Sheri. Our friendship began when the guys worked together and before kids (30+Years ago). Our kids have kids and we still love to spend time with them. We were able to take some boy clothes to them for their grandson. I am not and never have been afraid to use good clean used clothing for kids. It is amazing how fast they out grow clothing and shoes.

The next morning we finished our trip enjoying breakfast with David’s dad and headed home. Our trip was blessed with great weather and no significant issues. We were able to see so many great friends. Most of all share a milestone birthday with David’s dad. We shared homes and hearts. We are now back home to continue our lives, get back to work, and live the best lives we can.

In life they say if you have one great friend you are lucky. We are very BLESSED to have so many. My challenge to you is to plan a trip, when you can to see those who are important to you. While you may not get to see everyone, see all that you can, make those memories.