Today Is Your Day Boomer

Today is your day Boomer! Another health study....blah, blah, blah. Well, this one sounds pretty credible and predicts good long life results for Baby Boomers! Over 700,000 people studied over a lengthy period and here is the #1 conclusion. If you are aged 60 and do all 8 of these things, you will likely add 18 years to your life! What are these magical healthy habits? Nothing you haven’t heard before: Exercise, eat a healthy diet, reduce stress, sleep well and foster positive social relationships. On the flip side, don’t smoke, don’t drink too much and don’t become addicted to opioids. By the way, first importance on the list was exercise, and according to health specialist Mai Nguyen, "doing all eight has a synergistic effect, sort of an added boost to extend your life, but any small change will make a difference." Doing 6 or 7 of the 8 right now? Even a little change can help. Hmmmmmmmm. OKAY!! Cheers to a long, healthy life Boomers!

Today is your day Boomer! This could be you Boomer...overdoing it, too quick, too much, too soon on the pickleball court? Remember, you are 65....not 25. So, here are the most common pickleball injuries for aging players like us: Extremity injuries: Like many racquet sports, your extremities are most at risk. Many upper extremity injuries are due to overuse and repetitive wear and tear. ...Low back strains...Muscular strains...Ankle sprains...Rotator cuff injuries. Physiotherapist Jen Larsen says "They start the sport, they pick it up, they play it, they're then at the pickleball court five to six days a week, and they're playing for multiple hours, like two, three and four hours a day; Larsen recommends slowly easing into the sport. She says to start with about 30 minutes a day and gradually increasing time played from there. Joint supports, like knee braces, help older players with arthritis issues and Larsen stresses the importance of an active, dynamic warmup befor

Today is your day Boomer! Gone are the days of a good car for a reasonable price....I am talking both new and used vehicles! These new numbers floored me: the Price Index Report of New Vehicles by AutoTrader found the average new vehicle price in June 2023 was $66,288, a 21.3 per cent increase over June 2022. The average used vehicle price was $39,645, a 4.1 per cent increase over the same time last year. According to a report on CTV News, the two main reasons are "low inventory levels and a surge in demand." As well, "loan terms have increased over the past four years. Going back to June of 2019, it was 68 months, and now it is 72 months. Consumers are paying more for vehicles and taking longer to pay for them." 66 grand used to buy you a BMW or Mercedes....not now, maybe a Ford or Dodge instead. And....average monthly vehicle payments are now up to over 600$ a month! My advice Boomers? Take rapid transit, maintain your older car, or buy an e-bike for those sh

Today is your day Boomer! Will this new clothing style catch-on? Will it be popular with Boomers? It is called a "facekini" and it is becoming widespread especially in places like China. China and Southern Europe have been going through terrible drought and extreme heat over the last few weeks, and with global warming continuing, I think this facial combat against skin cancer will grow. According to Global News, these coverings "are somewhat like balaclavas, with holes for the eyes and mouth, though they’re typically made of lightweight, synthetic fabrics such as polyester." In China, sales are up 30% for women and 9% for men! Maybe, like masks in COVID times, we will see it become a fashion symbol with a variety of expressions and faces.....some plain, some spectacular, and some just....wacky! Will Boomers like it? I expect so because we have great concerns with skin cancer as we age, and we are out in the sun a lot! Try Amazon for a new examples and maybe

Today is your day Boomer! I know, I know....it is hot today, but you still have to exercise. My wife does early morning walks in the shade; I sometimes head to the air-conditioned fitness centre, or place tennis when it is cooler. But....we still need to do something every day. And according to the website, firstlighthomecare.com, here are the top five important exercises for Baby Boomers: (1)cardio: get your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes/day (2)strength training: twice/week and "make sure you leave 24 to 48 hours between strength training because your muscles need to rest." (3)flexibility training: at least 5 minutes in morning and evening (4)balance training: simple exercises and just a few minutes/day (5)core training: "Exercises like sit ups, reverse curls and crunches will help with your core." Boomers, you've heard some of this before...but it is always a good reminder when the days get hot, and maybe you get a little lazy. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! The other day on the golf course, I heard a Boomer complaining about how much time he dedicates to babysitting his grandkids. It left me a little upset; not only because I don't have grandchildren yet, but also I think he was taking his grandkids for granted. Over 10% of grandkids in North America have grandparents as caregivers. That number is in the millions! And this is what we have to offer. According to the website "firstthingsfirst.org, here are five important things that grandparents do for young children: (1) give advice (2) teach (3) provide child care (4) some are primary caregivers (5) love, and to reinforce: ,"kids learn and grow through close, caring relationships with the adults in their lives. The attention, interaction and unconditional love from grandparents (and parents, of course) helps a young child feel safe and secure." Yup, and I want to add #6......PLAY. We, senior Boomers, get to play and laugh and have fun wi

Today is your day Boomer! On our recent holiday to Vancouver Island, we travelled on BC Ferries with 43 feet of both truck and trailer. Expensive right? Yup, almost $300 on our way there and yet.....only, 160$ on the way back! FYI Boomers, BC Ferries has these special "super-saver" sailings; they go on the older ferries, but that doesn't really matter, and our leaving time wasn't too early or too late, it was 9am. One hour later, the price was 290$. Yikes! Also, on Monday-Thursday, you get the special "senior" passenger rate if you are 65 or older...I had to show my ID, I guess because I look so young! And one other tip: nowadays, always try and get a reservation way ahead of time and save yourself the stress and time of waiting in line. I remember one day there was a four-sailing wait in both directions. Boomers, simply put....plan ahead. And those coveted camping trips to the Island won't be too costly. Good luck and cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! Hello Boomers, I have been away on a mega-camping trip to Vancouver Island.....and I can tell you there is a new predator penetrating campgrounds at night! It is not bears, wolves, cougars, or even racoons....it is mice! Yep, lots of them, everywhere. We were inundated with them in most of our campsites and so were many other campers we talked to. Check out the picture. That is a special outdoor, peanut butter bucket trap that drowned eight mice in a single night. Inside, a night earlier, we encountered and snapped four little buggers. One Boomer woman told me she had a mouse eating chocolate on her bedside table in the wee hours of one morning! So, be prepared campers. Steel wool and spray glue to plug holes, numerous indoor and outdoor traps, and a sense of humour will suffice. Good camping to you and say hi to Mickie for me. Cheers!