What Is Good Posture And How Do I Achieve It? Part 2

Tips For Sitting With Good Posture

If you have neck, back or shoulder issues and spend a fair amount of time sitting be sure to assess your posture.

Tips for active neutral sitting ...

• Don't tighten you low back muscles or throw your shoulders back to force yourself into a better position. This actually forces your head forward and makes your posture worse.
• Don't sit with your legs crossed.
• Make sure the surface you are sitting on is the correct height. Your feet should reach the floor easily. Your knees should be slightly lower than your hips.
• Sit on the edge of the chair and tilt your pelvis slightly forward. You should feel a slight arch in your low back. Now imagine yourself taller than you are. This lengthens your spine.
• How are you breathing? Remember a good sitting posture allows you to breathe easily. Your ribs should move out toward your sides when you breathe in.

You may only be able to maintain this position for a minute at a time. That's OK. As you practice it over time your back muscles will strengthen and you'll be able to maintain it for longer periods.

If your spend most of your day in front of a computer, learn all you can about correct computer posture and placement.

Why Good Posture Matters

Keeping your body in proper alignment helps you in many ways. Your bones, ligaments and muscles remain well-balanced and free to move correctly. Your lungs have the space they need to fully expand. Your pelvic organs are well supported by your abdominal muscles and function better. Correct head and neck position even makes chewing easier.

To better understand the importance of good posture try these moves.Don't do them if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia...

First practice bad posture. In standing, shift your head forward, stick your chin out, round your shoulders and slump. Then...

• Try turning your head side to side 3 times, noticing how it feels.
• Take a few deep breaths. How easy is it to breathe?
• Pretend you are reaching into an overhead cupboard to get a dish with your right hand. Now try the move with your left arm. Again notice how you move.
• Relax for a moment and stand as you naturally do.

Now try the movements with good posture. See yourself 2 inches taller than you really are. Don't force it, just see it in your minds eye and feel it in your body. Keeping this image, repeat the movements ...

• Turn your head side to side 3 times. Notice the feel of the movement.
• Take a few deep breaths. How easy is it to breathe?
• Raise your right arm as if getting something out of an overhead cupboard. Try this with your left arm as well? How easily do your arms move?

See the difference. Did you feel how much easier you move and breathe when you are in proper alignment?

The Benefits Of Good Posture For Women Over 50

A sedentary life and poor habits of sitting, standing, moving and lying can cause bad posture at any age. As you get older the discs in your neck and back begin to dehydrate and your spine becomes more rigid, increasing your postural problems.

As women we also face a higher risk of developing certain diseases...

Osteoporosis is an excessive loss of bone density causing bones to break much more easily. Women are affected 4 times more often than men with this disease.

Scoliosis is a side to side curvature of the spine which affects 1 in 9 women. It can be a cause of chronic neck and back pain.

Frozen shoulder is exactly what it sounds like. The shoulder may initially become very painful and then loses the ability to move. This syndrome is found twice as often in women as in men. It usually occurs when women are between the ages of 40 and 70.

Women also live longer than men, giving our bodies more time to develop balance and degeneration issues. Good posture helps maintain balance and reduces the impact of stress on your body.

You can't reverse time. But with good posture and an active lifestyle you can maintain and even improve your body's ability to function - even as you age.Why not enjoy those extra years?

What if you've already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, scoliosis or a frozen shoulder? Schedule a consultation with a physical therapist. She or he can provide you with appropriate treatment and help you develop a postural and physical conditioning program to meet your needs.

Source: http://www.fit-after-50-womens-health-magazine.com/

What Is Good Posture And How Do I Achieve It? Part 1

Good posture. It's the back bone of looking good, feeling great and staying functional.

You're probably aware of the importance of posture. Yet women over 50 often fall short when it comes to having a healthy posture. And forced attempts to correct posture, especially at this stage in life, can sometimes do more harm than good.

(Picture Sara Meeks Seminars Copyright 2001 Re-printed with permission).

The figure on the far left is standing in neutral or good posture. In this position, your body is in balance and...

• You have less wear and tear on your joints.
• The forces of gravity are traveling through your bones correctly.This helps keep your bones strong and prevents back pain.

Most of us attempt to stand at attention when trying to correct our posture. Try this exercise...

• Walk around the room without doing anything to try and improve your posture. Notice how much effort it takes you to move. Feel it within your body.
• Now stand at attention. Maintain this posture as you once again walk around the room. Notice how it feels.

Did walking around the room in an attention posture feel more natural? Did it take less energy? Was it easier to move that way? Good posture allows you to move with less effort. Trying to maintain an attention posture is not the way to correct bad posture.

Is Straight Posture Good Posture?

You will stand taller as your posture improves. But straight posture is a bit of a misnomer. A properly aligned spine has 3 natural curves...

• The neck curves inward toward the front of the body (cervical curve).
• The upper back curves outward (thoracic curve).
• The lower back curves inward (lumbar curve).

A completely straight back when standing or sitting is NOT good posture. Correct posture maintains your spine's natural curves.

Tips For Good Standing Posture

If your standing posture is less than optimum try these tips...

• Start at your feet. Have them 2 to 4 inches apart, toes pointing straight ahead. Press into your feet. Feel what happens in the rest of your body when you do this.
• Visualize Pretend you're 2 inches taller than you are. Don't force anything - just see and feel yourself taller. Visualizations take practice, but they help your posture improve instantly.
• Become Aware Take a moment and feel how you are standing. Is your weight equally distributed on both feet? If the answer is no, you're not standing in neutral posture. Schedule regular times to try this. Standing in line at the grocery store or when you brush your teeth - make it a habit.
• Tune In to how you body feels, noticing any areas of abnormal tension. Can you relax those areas? Choose one or two times during you day that you normally stand and practice relaxing any areas that feel tense.

Source: http://www.fit-after-50-womens-health-magazine.com/

Consistency is the Key

by Lesley Maxwell, as originally posted in Oxygen Magazine

To remain youthful it is necessary to be able to perform key movement patterns which keep us agile and fit for life. These are bend, push, pull, squat, lunge, twist and gait (walk, jog or run). If you can perform these movements regularly, and preferably while lifting some weights (except for gait), you give yourself a huge advantage in your effort to remain youthful and feeling fantastic. Throughout my years as a personal trainer, I have noticed that many women train with a goal in mind. Sometimes it’s to be in shape for an occasion like a wedding or a holiday, or to look good in a bikini for a short amount of time. The reality is we need to stay in shape for our whole lives. Remember, this is not a hobby but a lifestyle. Sooner or later you have to make an important decision; make time for health and fitness or suffer illness later. Exercise faithfully every week, every month and watch your body change shape and become strong. 

If you are unable to make it to the gym, and have no equipment at home, squats and push-ups are two ideal exercises that can be performed almost anywhere. Squats alone work over seven different muscles in one value packed exercise. Your whole lower body in one move! Push-ups, in turn, work your upper body, including your core muscles. No excuses here! You don’t have to start with full push-ups or full squats but you will soon progress and reap the rewards. It’s the same with your gait - start with walking and later mix it up with some interval training (adding short bursts of intensity). 

If you have never trained before and are wondering where to start, a good place is at the beginning! Don’t do too much too soon. Consistency is the key. Three to four steady workouts a week is much more beneficial than thrashing yourself with a hard workout every now and again. You could injure yourself, which would inhibit your training. In order to train consistently we need to remain injury-free. A simple way to help you achieve this is by performing warm-up sets. A warm-up set is performed by lifting a much lighter weight during the same exercise you are about to perform. 

By performing a warm-up set, muscles and joints are warmed up with the exact mechanics which will be performed during the workout set. This is the best safeguard against injury and it gives you a chance to practise your technique and breathing while warming up specific muscles involved in the exercise. Be patient and give your body time to respond to proper exercise and good nutrition. As said by a very good friend of mine: “It’s not one sudden rush that changes the surface of the rock but the constant drip. 

Strength training will change your body shape but only over time. It surprises me that many women train for competition only to give up after the first or second contest. It takes years to sculpt a great body. Once again, consistency is the key. 

From the age of 35 a woman’s body composition changes by losing lean muscle every year and replacing it with fat - if she does nothing to change her eating or exercise habits. As muscle burns approximately 25% more calories than any other body tissue, we need to keep as much of it as possible. This
is inspiration alone to keep training! Strength training three to four times every week with some cardio thrown into the mix will keep you fit, strong and agile.

Pass your Oxygen magazine onto your mum and encourage her to train too. It’s never too late to start. Take a look at Ernestine Shepherd, who is still competing in her 70s and quotes “I feel better than I did at 40,” or Bob Delmontique who, at 86, is still running
marathons and bench pressing over 130kg - and both are looking great! 

As you watch the trends and fads in fitness come and go, one thing is for certain. If you really want to see results, you need to be consistent in your training and enjoy all the wonderful benefits that come with it for life!

Bio of Lesley Maxwell

Flirtatious and fun-loving, Lesley redefines what it means to be over 50 and fabulous. A mother of three, Lesley has more than 20 body sculpting titles to her name and in 2009 won the Miss USA Figure Open World Title for INBF in New York.  Lesley, who thinks of herself as ‘ageless’ believes the key to looking and feeling amazing is regular exercise, nutritious eating, and a positive frame of mind. Anyone can do it and it’s never too late to start.

 “I love feeling strong, healthy and in short, fantastic. I have energy every day to live life to the fullest. It’s not hard work; it’s a way of life.”   Age is just a number, so start listening to this inspirational lady who is proof that age is no barrier to having fun and looking great.

Source: http://www.oxygenmag.com.au

Fitness Tips Over 50

Here’s a little eye-opening factual information for you: the health complications that we so decidedly attribute to the effects of aging, are actually more to do with physical inactivity than growing old! Research conducted by the Journal of American Geriatric Society established that physical inactivity doubles the chances of mobility limitations and movement difficulties as we grow older.

And what do experts have to say about the idea of maintaining your fitness over 50? Let’s just say that they are all for it.   According to Cedric Bryant, the chief exercise physiologist at the American Council of Exercise, taking care of your fitness over 50 will keep you healthy, fit and active longer. In fact, most health complications that surface as we age, such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis, or heart disease, can be sidestepped by keeping your body moving with some form of physical exercise! It’s not just physical health that benefits from maintaining your fitness over 50, according to the journal Neurology, exercise keeps the mind alert and prevents the onset of cognitive decline.
So for all those who have hit the fabulous fifties, here are a few tips to keep your fitness over 50 revved up and running.

Tip # 1- Hit the Gym

If you have a lot of free time on your hands and want to give the local gym a shot, don’t hesitate. You might feel intimidated by the idea of being surrounded by young fitness enthusiasts, but do not succumb to this hesitation. Update the fitness instructor about your health problems, physical limitations and any other pertinent concerns that might affect your performance at the gym. Clarify your fitness intentions (pain alleviation, weight loss, greater strength) to the fitness instructor, and make sure that the gym is well-equipped to provide a fitness program that caters to your needs.  Never try to compete with the younger lot. You might miss the days of yore, but living in the past will only set you back. Set new goals for yourself and affiliate yourself with fitness enthusiasts of a similar age group. Moreover, never shy away from asking questions if you are concerned about how a particular exercise will affect your body. It’s better to take the necessary precautionary steps than to suffer from pain and agony later.

Tip # 2- Boost Your Metabolism

Unfortunately, the body’s metabolic rate starts to slow down after the age of 30. There are, however, certain measures that you can adopt to uphold your fitness over 50. According the Austin Fit, eating controlled, well-balanced, and frequent meals throughout the day helps to keep your metabolism on its toes. Additionally, you can also monitor your slowing metabolic rate by calculating your BMI (Body Mass Index) and finding out whether you fall within the healthy range or not. Keep a food diary to record what you eat and when you eat it so that you can review your eating habits and cut out the foods that are holding your health and fitness progress back.

 Tip # 3- Flexibility Guaranteed

According to the American Council of Exercise, our bodies lose 3% to 5% of muscle mass in every decade after the age of 25! That means that by the time we hit our fifties, we have a reduced store of natural strength, and are also feeling the effects of stiff and achy joints. Maintaining your flexibility and mobility can help to mitigate the loss of muscle mass. The traditional discipline of yoga is an excellent way to stay limber after 50! Yoga is all about setting personal physical and mental goals, and moving from easy to challenging poses at one’s own pace. This not only helps to keep your body limber, strong and supple, but the challenge of surpassing one’s personal achievements also engages the mind and keeps it alert and focused.

Tip # 4- Dietary Concerns

Individuals who have crossed the 50 mark often lament their inability to lose weight. It is true that hormonal variations and a slower metabolism lead to weight gain as we age, but numerous controllable factors such as dietary habits and lifestyle play a major role in determining how much weight can be lost. Avoid radical diets that advocate the elimination of a particular food group. Stick to eating a well-balanced, healthy diet replete with fresh fruits, vegetables and other natural foods. Consulting a nutritionist will give you a better idea of your body’s specific nutrient needs. The nutritionist will also be able to recommend suitable nutrient supplements, if there is a need.

Read more: http://www.fitnessrepublic.com

Exercises for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Tammy Mahan –

While you may not want to exercise because of the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the pain associated with it can actually be reduced or prevented with regular exercise. The risk of health problems including diabetes and heart disease is reduced as well.  It also helps to reduce pain and stiffness in joints, strengthen muscles, increase mobility of joints and psychological well-being is improved. You should check with your doctor before starting an exercise program of any kind.

Exercise Guidelines

It is recommended that you start exercise programs slowly and make gradual progress so that your tolerance level is determined. Injury can result from repetitive or rapid movement with the joints that are affected making it best to avoid them. Exercises should be adapted to protect the joints.

Daily Activities

The pain of RA can be reduced through daily activity. Everyone, whether they have RA or not, should get thirty minutes of physical activity most days. Raking, gardening, climbing stairs and walking, and occupational activities of a moderate intensity are a good place to start.

Aerobic Activity

An activity that increases the heart rate for a sustained period is aerobic exercise. Walking and water aerobics are gentle aerobic exercise associated with improved physical performance and pain reduction. You might benefit from high-impact, higher-intensity exercise if there is no damage to the joints that bear weight. The Netherlands’ Leiden University Medical Center researcher and rheumatologist Zuzana de Jong stated that those who engage in high-intensity workouts like jogging experienced improved daily functioning and mood. Exercise that puts less stress on the joints may benefit you when there is damage to the joints that bear weight.

Strength Training

You could benefit from exercises for strength training if there is RA in the joints that bear weight. Those that performed two twelve repetition sets of nine exercises three times a week showed performance and ability improvements that were significant and their pain was reduced according to the Fitness Arthritis and Seniors Trail. Leg extensions, step up, leg curls, chest fly, heel raise, pelvic tilt, bicep curl, military press and upright row are exercises for strength training.

Range of Motion

It is easy to overstretch joints that are affected and they are more prone to injury making it inadvisable to perform simple stretching exercises. The remodeling and repair of cartilage is stimulated by regular decompression and compression. Your doctor can recommend range of motion exercises that can aid in maintaining the use of joints and flexibility.

Additional Benefits

The pain from the damaged joints might cause depression and fatigue in those suffering from arthritis. Energy can be increased and depression decreased in addition to the natural therapy that improves mobility of the joints provided by exercise according to the Arthritis Foundation. The symptoms associated with osteoarthritis in the hips and knees are increased with obesity, and exercise helps to reduce weight.

Expert Insight

It is advised by the Arthritis Foundation that a doctor’s recommendations be sought prior to starting an exercise program. Some activities can cause harm if you have arthritis, making advice from a doctor even more important. Visit the website for the Arthritis Foundation or contact your local chapter to find programs, health care facilities and community groups to aid those with arthritis. You may also be referred to a physical therapist in order to have an exercise routine designed that fits your specific goals and concerns.

Source: http://livingbetter50.com/

The Top 10 Health Risks for Women Over 50 You Need to Know - Part 2

By Maxine Nelson

cont.

The Steps You Can Take 

The AHRQ, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality have five steps you can take for a healthy life ahead at age 50 and beyond.

1.) Be Tobacco Free - Call the National Quitline at 1-800-QUITNOW.

2.) Be Physically Active - Walk briskly, mow the lawn, swim, dance, do anything to keep you active.

3.) Eat a Healthy Diet - Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat or fat-free milk.

4.) Stay at a Healthy Weight - Balance the calories you take in and burn them off with your physical activities.

5.) If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation - Have no more than one drink a day.

Important Screening Information

1.) Heart Disease - Get your blood pressure checked every two years and your cholesterol checked regularly.

2.) Breast Cancer - Schedule a mammogram every 1 to 2 years.

3.) Colorectal Cancer - Your doctor can decide what test is right for you.

4.) Cervical Cancer - Have a Pap Smear every 1 to 3 years.

5.) Depression - Talk to your doctor about being screened for depression if you suddently feel overwhelming sadness or hopeless.

6.) Diabetes - Get a blood test for diabetes, especially if you have high blood pressure.

7.) Obesity - Have your body mass index (BMI) calculated and screened for obesity.

8.) Osteoporosis - The ages from 50 to 64 talk to your doctor about being tested.

Francis Bacon was quoted as saying "knowledge is power". That is so very true, because at your fingertips is a wealth of knowledge on having excellent health throughout the rest of your life for women over 50.

Sources: http://voices.yahoo.com

The Top 10 Health Risks for Women Over 50 You Need to Know (Part1)

Women Over 50: Knowledge is Power Over These Health Risks 

By Maxine Nelson

They say being 50 is now the new 40. That's nice to hear the age is getting younger by each decade to soothe one's ego, but the body knows its chronology. Yes, every body is different. Some women are more prone to health risks than others due to family history, ethnicity, environment, and additional unsuspecting factors. However, it is a very good idea to have the awareness, information, and prevention on hand concerning health risks, so you can stay healthy not only physically, but emotionally, mentally, and psychologically too. When all of those areas are aligned the chances for women over 50 to have excellent health is not at all unrealistic.

This will be a guide to the Top Ten health risks for women over the age of 50. The information presented will comprise of what are these health risks, the steps you can take, and screening information to give you peace of mind. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality here is a compiled list of what they find to be at risk.

The 10 Health Risks

10.) Osteoporosis (Bone Thinning) - A condition where your bones become weak, making it more likely for you to break a bone. There are no symptoms to watch out for until you break a bone. The National Women's Health Information Center further adds you have a greater chance of osteoporosis if you are female, small boned, and have a history of osteoporosis in your family,

9.) Depression - Women over 50 will inevitably reach menopause, one of the many causes of depression is menopause, along with a family history in which it is inherited, or with no history of it at all.

8.) High Cholesterol - A fatty substance present in all parts of the body. LDL or low density lipoprotein is harmful, sometimes known as "bad cholesterol". HDL or high density lipoprotein is good for your health, known as "good cholesterol".

7.) High Blood Pressure - Sometimes known as Hypertension, it's having blood pressure at 140 over 90 mmHg (millimeters of mercury).

6.) Obesity - Over 60 percent of adult women in the U.S. are overweight based on the 2007 estimates from the National Center for Health Statistics of the Center for the Disease Control and Prevention. A little over one-third of adult women are obese. Some of the causes are eating bigger portions with lots of calories in it, sedentary lifestyle, little to no exercise, genetics, and environmental and cultural influences.

5.) Diabetes - When your blood glucose (sugar) is too high. There are actually three types of diabetes, but Type 1 and Type 2 are the most commonly known. The third type, Gestational, occurs during pregnancy. Type 2 is the most common type and can occur at any age, especially those who are older and overweight.

4.) Cervical Cancer - It is cancer of the cervix, the lower narrower part of the uterus (womb). Any woman who has had genital contact with another person can get HPV, human papillomavirus, the cause of cervical cancer. Your risk of getting this cancer is high if you smoke.

3.) Colorectal Cancer - This is cancer starting in the colon and/or rectum, because they come from the large intestine (or the large bowel). It is the third most common non-skin cancer in women and men as well as the third leading cause of cancer death. Oftentimes called the "silent' disease, because the symptoms do not show up until it is too difficult to cure. Colorectal Cancer is found most often in people over 50.

2.) Breast Cancer - The most common cancer in American women. 1 in 8 women will find out she has breast cancer at some time in her life. This disease occurs when cells become abnormal, then forming other cells in an uncontrolled manner, which leads to forming masses of tissues called a tumor.

1.) Heart Disease - According to the University of Washington's Women's Health about 8 million women in the U.S. are living with heart disease and 440,000 have heart attacks every years. About 9,000 of those women are under the age of 45. Women in general are less likely to get heart disease until menopause. It is believed the female hormone, estrogen, provides protection to the heart until menopause.

Sources: http://voices.yahoo.com

20 Tips for living the Good Life after 50 ( 11 TO 20 )

BY JO CASTRO 

A little list for living the good life

11.  Technology is not your enemy. Embrace it. Your children will use it even if you don’t, so get learning and understand what’s what especially in the communications arena. My Mum is 84 and regularly communicates with her grandchildren on Facebook. Just do it.

12.  Don’t ever wear onesies or dungarees – leave them to your daughters.

13.  Yes you can wear yellow jeans (or any coloured jeans) just make sure they are good fitting and consider turning them up at the ankles and wearing them with flats or cool trainers.

14.  I read this in Woman and Home magazine recently: If you’re recently single, then look for a younger man. You’ll be the envy of your girlfriends, confuse your family, and generally become a talking point! Lol!

15.  Don’t wear purple (unless you’re a Dockers supporter). It’s ageing.

16.  Spend money on good shoes that are stylish and comfortable. After the age of 50 we don’t need an Imelda Marcos stash of shoes in the cupboard and anything uncomfortable will rarely be worn. (Yes, Dave, I know I need a clear out)

17.  When it comes to your body image, for God’s sake have a sense of humour. After 50 everything heads south to the Bermuda Triangle – never to return. Just remember, you mostly cannot wear what 20 year olds wear so choose wisely.

18.  Fat though is significant when it impacts your health, remember to eat well and exercise lots.

19.  Good fabrics, good cuts and timeless elegance are now your friends – with an accessorized nod to what’s fashionable. (Actually, I haven’t embraced this rule yet … but I know I should!) As my son’s girlfriend alluded, “Cheap clothes made from cheap fabrics don’t wear well or wash well.”

20.  Exercising alone is boring (well it is for me) and the thought of it makes me grumpy. Do it anyway because it feels good afterwards and good health will make you happy. If you have time join a gym or an exercise class, or get some friends together to walk.

SOURCE:  http://lifestylefifty.com

20 Tips for living the Good Life after 50 ( 1 to 10 )

BY JO CASTRO 

A little list for living the good life

1. Surround yourself with people who laugh.
2. Try always to make people feel good about themselves.
3. Do something good for the planet on a daily basis.
4. Children left home? Keep busy. Nothing ages you more than inactivity or disinterest.  Join a club, get a job or volunteer.
5. I read this somewhere the other day, and I have to agree. At the exact date you turn 55 you will develop a muffin top just above your trouser line. Don’t ask me why, it just happens. So plan your wardrobe accordingly and stop fretting about it.
6. Enjoy your home, enjoy your clothes, enjoy baking and entertaining while you still have energy and youthful-ish looks – make the most of your attributes.
7. When I was 20 I didn’t like my face or my body. When I was 30 I thought how good and how unwrinkled I looked at 20. When I was 40 I couldn’t believe how slim and fit I looked at 30. Now I’m over fifty I realize that how I look today is as good as it’s going to get and I’m grateful for that.
8. Try not to interfere in your grown-up children’s lives, but be there for them and always be supportive. Don’t offer advice unless asked for it.
9. Ask your grown up children for advice – they know more than you might give them credit for.
10. Nightclubs are for twenty to thirty somethings. Don’t go. Not even for a laugh.

SOURCE:  http://lifestylefifty.com

You Might Be 50 Years Old, but How Old is Your Attitude?

by Dragonfly

Age is a finicky thing. There are those folks who will act whatever their given age is. If you are 40 you will find that lots of people will start feeling depressed about the "big 40", and start thinking their days are numbered, etc... Then there are those folks who are 50 but seem to be stuck in acting like a 21 year old. Most of the time we refer to these folks as having a "midlife crisis".

Perhaps the most refreshing thing to observe is the 60 something that has an attitude of feeling younger and vital, and still useful. They are so refreshing to be around as you hear their little giggle and see the subtle twinkle in their eye.

We refer to this as their "brain age" or "mindset". It's their attitude and their approach to how they deal with life's up's and downs that are constantly amazing. Most of the time, these people realize that trying to control every situation and outcome is impossible. Most of the time their motto is similar to, "just do the best you can", and be done with it.It's the very act of trying to control everything and everybody that will cause you to lose control. Then you will find your attitude will suffer. this will allow us to be a cranky, old, brain-age person.

Much like a child who is playing quietly with his or her toys, and just then another child tries to take it away. This results in a tantrum, and a screaming episode usually follows. Some adults seem to adopt this reaction when things do not go their way. They tend to scream and holler and generally throw a fit. Many of us have witnessed this in the form of road rage.

Because you may be 50,60,or older, you can "choose" the attitude within you to roll with the punches. It is possible to weather a storm with a happy heart. We DO get to decide how we will react. It's not a given, we choose. Don't let negativity take it's toll on you and your health.

It's okay to act silly. It's okay to choose not to react to all of life's issues. Remember to pick your battles. The choice is completely yours. Make a WISE ONE.

SOURCE:  voices.yahoo