Seasoned

seasoned

July 2016

Over 50 & living the good life!

The yogi life

Local yoga classes strengthen mind and body

Delay retirement Live longer and better

Mental wellness

How to handle the unexpected things

seasoned A monthly publication of The Eagle, 1729 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan, TX 77802 PUBLISHER Crystal DuPre DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING Sean Lewis

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DISPLAY ADVERTISING MANAGER Linda Brinkman SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR/ PUBLICATION DESIGNER Shauna Lewis

shauna.lewis@theeagle.com

Contents

How to handle the unexpected things in life Dealing with health information overload Delay retirement - Live longer, better Chronic pain can be a memory problem Yoga classes strengthen mind and body Things to consider before downsizing your home Managing money after 50 Calendar

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How to handle the unexpected things in life

My life has been full of surprises.

I’ve had wonderful experiences. Many things have been good and pleasurable.

Others have been shocking and painful.

A few have been devastating.

It’s the losses that stick deeply in my mind: • Grandparents passing early Gary Roe • A fire, numerous Hospice accidents and more death • A good friend snuffed out by illness • My parents’ divorce • My dad’s sudden death By age 15, I didn’t like surprises any more. I can say this with confidence: life isn’t what I thought it would be. It has been a wild and unpredictable ride, a journey of unexpected twists and turns.

What do we do when what comes isn’t what we wanted? How do we handle it when what happens is the last thing we would ever want?

The unwelcome unexpected On the whole, we seem most content when we feel safe and secure. We like to be sure of things. When our certainties are challenged, our hearts tremble.

When the unexpected occurs, we find ourselves in uncharted territory.

The unwelcome unexpected can come in many forms: • Bad news about someone you care about • An unfavorable diagnosis or health crisis • Financial trouble • Relational upset or estrangement • Emotional instability • The slow erosion of abilities, motivation or purpose The unexpected is often about loss of some kind - whether real or perceived. If we take enough hits, we begin to fear the next blow. We can cease to really live and end up meandering through our days wondering what might happen next.

Wondering often leads to worry.

Worry stokes our fears. We feel vulnerable and exposed. No wonder our hearts quake. What can we do T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

“Red.” As we all smiled, the professor said, “How we see things depends on what lenses we’re looking through, which impacts the choices we make.”

Once the unwelcome unexpected strikes, what goes on in our minds and hearts will drive our decisions. We can’t control what happens, but we do have some say about how we choose to see and interpret it.

How we respond matters deeply – both for ourselves and those around us.

4. Focus on relationships.

The unexpected can shake the sturdiest of hearts. Ultimately, none of us can stand alone. We need each other, badly.

My first response to a shock is not to seek help. Instead, I tend to withdraw.

I retreat into myself and start trying to figure things out. Many times, those around me are watching, waiting for a chance to offer some support.

When we go it alone, we rob others of an opportunity to love and serve us.

We also deny ourselves a good deal of comfort. What if we let people into our

about this?

How to handle the unexpected Handling the unwanted surprises of life can be challenging. Here are some suggestions: 1. Accept the unexpected as a natural part of life.

Life is unpredictable. We get surprised all the time. We’re not the first to face the dilemma of the “unwelcome unexpected.” Our ancestors were confronted by it, too.

Wise King Solomon once said, “There is nothing new under the sun.”

The new unknowns we face are simply new to us. Others are facing similar trials all the time. Accepting that the unexpected is common and a natural part of life can help give us perspective in the midst of upheaval.

2. Accept your vulnerability.

Sudden shock can reveal how vulnerable we are.

Our visions of personal invincibility can evaporate in an instant. We yearn to be strong. We smile when things are going well and see ourselves as somewhat in control of our lives. The problem is the “control” we think we have is often an illusion.

It’s easy for me to list what I’m not in control of: people, financial markets, traffic, cancer and just about everything else operating in the world around me. I don’t even cause my own heart to beat.

All of us are vulnerable. We actually live more effectively when we accept this and give up the frustrating adventure of trying to control other people and situations.

3. Guard your heart and mind.

How we see and interpret life’s unexpected surprises matters.

I remember an illustration from my first college psychology course. The professor handed a student in the first row a pair of glasses with red lenses.

Then he held up a white cup and asked, “What color is this?”

“Red,” the student answered.

“And what color is my shirt?” the prof asked.

“Red.” “And how about the board behind me?”

struggle? Whether we realize it or not, our uncharted territory impacts those around us, too. Whatever influences us will in some way affect those closest to us.

No matter how much of an introvert or extravert we might be, we’re all wired for relationship. We weren’t designed to do life alone, especially when the rug gets pulled out from under us.

When disaster strikes, we need each other’s support. We need the kindness and patience of those around us, and they need ours in return.

Expect the unexpected The unexpected will come. When it hits, take a deep breath. Life has its share of unwelcome surprises. Your heart is vulnerable. Take it seriously.

Monitor the thoughts that pass through your mind. Be patient with yourself, and allow your heart to adjust

See The unexpected page 4

2015

July 5, 2016 | 3

Dealing with health information overload

I am a 55 year old, type II diabetic who is not active. I’ve been dieting since I was 8 years old. So while it doesn’t look like I’m trying, I fight and win food battles every day, but it just takes one lost battle to put on the pounds. I’m really getting discouraged and overwhelmed. I read so much about what I need to do and what I shouldn’t do and often the information is contradictory. Can you provide simple instructions to get me started? -- Jerrod, Bryan Jerrod, you are definitely not alone in your experiences. There is a lot of information out there, and if you followed it all, you probably wouldn’t eat. Before we talk about food, though, you know you have to be more active. As someone once said, you can’t afford not to exercise.

Exercise is that important, not only for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight, but also for healthy Leon Bradway Physical Therapy aging.

You want to remain independent as long as possible so you must “move.” As we say in our clinic, “bodies in motion -> lifelong health’. We can make all kinds of excuses not to exercise, but if you look closely at the lives of those who are healthy, you’ll notice they make exercise a priority, they don’t miss workouts and they let others know this is a priority for them. Money and time shouldn’t be an excuse.

Most people can walk outside, in the park, in the mall, etc. I would encourage you to do some fast walking or walking that gets your heart rate into your target heart range for at least 30 minutes, preferably one

The unexpected from page 3

to what’s happening. Remember the people around you. Seek support. Stay kind. Stay loving.

Life is an uncertain adventure that requires great courage. If we’re willing, the unexpected can challenge us to be better, wiser people. Most of the world’s game-changers have faced massive obstacles and more than their share of

hour (go to BVphysicaltherapy.com for instructions on how to calculate heart rate). If you don’t have 30-60 minutes all at once, try to do 15 minute increments when you can.

Make sure to drink water before and after you walk so you don’t get dehydrated. Get into the habit of walking a certain time during the day, every day. I run versus walk, but I make sure to do this at noon every day or in the morning. If for some reason, I miss either of these, I run at night, but I don’t miss my exercise “appointment.”

Make sure your program is something you can live with, and commit yourself to putting your health first and taking time to exercise. You can’t afford not to.

Regarding food, there is a lot of information about what to eat, how to cook, what to use when cooking and so on. Since you are a type II diabetic you might be interested in Dr. Hyman’s and/or Dr. Weil’s work on eating healthy to avoid inflammation.

If your sugar is not well controlled, you should speak to your doctor and a nutritionist. In general, you should watch the amount of carbohydrates (carbs) you consume at any one time, limiting those with a high glycemic index and preferably consuming protein and/or vegetables with carbs.

All of this is to help slow down how fast the carbs enter your system, spiking your sugar.

As a diabetic, your body doesn’t process foods you eat efficiently, and thus you have to limit your consumption of certain carbs and the amount you consume at one time.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that will get worse over time if action isn’t taken. Most research today suggests that Americans should cut down on the

amount of animal protein consumed.

We need to use animal protein as a minor portion of our meals, not the center of them. You might try eating more soy products such as tofu (marinate in your favorite flavors) and edamame for your protein needs.

Consider having two fish meals, two soy meals, for every animal protein meal. Regarding fat, most experts agree that olive and nut oils are good choices if used sparingly.

We also need to eat more vegetables and fruit, trying to get a variety of colors every day. As a diabetic, though, eat more vegetables than fruit. If you have high cholesterol, consider shiitake mushrooms as they have a substance that encourages the body to use cholesterol.

The key here is balance. Don’t go overboard on exercise or diet. Try to eat healthfully each time you eat.

Try to eat at least every four hours and have protein and carbohydrates together. Limit your dairy, animal protein and fats. In addition, consider organic or locally grown foods.

I believe we must be careful with

plastics and some canned foods that can leach chemicals (BPA, PVC, etc.) into our bodies. I personally store food in glass, don’t microwave anything in plastic, don’t use Styrofoam and look for the No. 1, 2 or 4 when consuming beverages out of plastic (these are considered safe; see the bottom of the bottle).

My father-in-law gave me great advice years ago. He said grow it yourself, cook it yourself and if it can stay on the shelf over a week, it can’t be good for you. In essence, I try to stay away from processed foods when possible.

Good luck with your efforts. Just writing about your frustration means you are motivated to change. Be kind to yourself and forgive mistakes. You’ll be healthier before you know it. Visit our website for additional resources bvphysicaltherapy.com.

Leon Bradway is a doctor of physical therapy and director of the Sports, Back and Pain Management Clinic. See www. bvphysicaltherapy.com.

suffering.

If you’re in uncomfortable, uncharted territory, take heart.

Though your terrain might be different, many have faced similar obstacles. How you respond can make more of a difference than you realize.

Gary Roe is an author, speaker and chaplain with Hospice Brazos Valley. Visit www.garyroe.com or contact him at 979-821-2266 or groe@ hospicebrazosvalley.org.

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Delay retirement - Live longer, better

Finally a reason to delay retirement that is not because you didn’t sock away enough money! If we live long enough, at some point our functional status begins to erode. The good news is that working past age 65 may stall this gradual decline while retiring earlier may be a risk factor for a shorter life.

In a recent U.S. News article, Chenkai Wu, the lead author in a study at Oregon State University, explains, “Delayed retirement, which could potentially mean keeping cognitively and physically active and socially engaged, may, at least partially, help delay the onset of that decline.” Mr. Wu examined data collected from 1992 TracY Stewart to 2010 through a Financial Literacy long-term study of U.S. adults led by the University of Michigan and funded by the National Institute on Aging. He narrowed his focus on people who began the study in 1992 and had retired by the end of the study in 2010.

“Most research in this area has focused on the economic impacts of delaying retirement,” he stated. “I thought it might be good to look at the health impacts.”

find additional articles on money. usnews.com/money/retirement. Her Twitter hashtag is @aiming2retire. If you are a Twitter person, you might want to follow her for announcements of her latest blog posts and articles.

In a recent blog post, “5 Websites Every Retiree Needs to Visit,” Emily explains the advantages of familiarizing yourself with these five websites prior to and after your retirement date. Emily explains how to sign up for Social Security and Medicare from your computer, how to get the best prices for your medications covered by Medicare Part D and how to assess healthcare coverage if you are thinking about retiring before your Medicare eligibility date.

In a February article on usnews. com, Emily writes about two ways to increase your Social Security income.

The commonly known way is to delay signing up for Social Security, but Emily explains a second way to increase your benefit. “Social Security payments are calculated using the 35 years in which you earn the highest salary. If you earn more now than

According to the announcement on the OSU.edu website, researchers found that healthy retirees who worked a year past age 65 had an 11 percent lower risk of dying. The unhealthy retirees who also worked a year past age 65 had a 9 percent lower risk of death. Delaying retirement can have a positive impact on your life span regardless of your health.

This study caught my eye when I read an article by Emily Brandon. She is a senior editor at U.S. News & World Report and the author of a new book, “Pensionless: The 10-step Solution for a Stress-Free Retirement.” It’s a good read with useful information, some of which I have not seen in similar consumer books about retirement planning. I like the retirement planning checklist that includes a comprehensive list of important ages for retirement planning plus important calendar year deadlines. These ages and dates cover trigger points for retirement fund distributions, Social Security deadlines and Medicare deadlines.

A lot of baby boomers are internet-savvy and prefer to get their information online. If that is you, check out Emily’s blog at http://money. usnews.com/money/blogs/planningto-retire. She cranks out quality blog posts on relevant and useful retirement topics about every four days. You can

you did earlier in your life, this year’s higher salary will be factored into the calculation. And if you haven’t yet worked for 35 years, working an extra year will prevent a zero from being averaged into your retirement benefit calculation and dragging down your retirement payouts.” Replacing a zero earning or lower earning year with a currently higher earning year will permanently increase your benefit for your lifetime.

In my line of work, I occasionally hear clients exaggerate and complain about needing to work for the rest of their lives to make up for having to share their retirement nest egg in their divorce. The Oregon State University study puts a positive spin on working past age 65. You may get to live longer with additional good quality years when you delay retirement. When I add that to the financial benefits of delaying retirement, I can now reply to my clients, “Lucky you!”

Contact Tracy B. Stewart, CPA, PFS, CFF, CDFA, CFP® at www.

TexasDivorceCPA.com.

The Most Important Thing in any Relationship 2015

Chronic pain can be a memory problem After an injury or pain-inducing experience, the body often heals itself, but a chronic pain may continue even after healing.

National Institute of Medicine surveys suggest that some 116 million American adults are in chronic pain.

Dr. Bill Klemm Chronic pain is often The Memory Medic accompanied by such emotions as anxiety, depression and a significant reduction in quality of life. Drugs like opiates, steroids, and non-steroidal antiinflammatories can be very effective in

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reducing acute pain, but may have little or no effect when post-healing chronic pain sets in.

How can pain persist when the original cause is gone? Clues have emerged from brain scans of chronic pain patients that show no sign of augmented activity in pain-mediated areas, but do show increased activity in emotional and motivational areas of the brain. The thought has now emerged in several research labs that chronic pain may actually be a

Robert Herring, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology

3091 University Drive East, #410 Bryan, TX 77802 www.listenhearaudiology.com

See Chronic pain page 9

July 5, 2016 | 5

The yogi lif

Yoga classes help strengthen m

By BROOKE AMADOR Special to The Eagle

Look ahead 10, 20 or even 30 years from today.

What do those years look like? Research shows that a person’s level of physical activity can be a major determining factor in whether those years are filled with activity and independence or disability and dependence.

Loss of independence, according to the National Institutes of Health, is more likely to result from lack of physical activity than simply aging. Ironically, although science has proven regular physical activity and exercise are among the healthiest things a person can do for themselves, helping prevent or delay many illnesses and diseases, the Physical Activity Council’s 2015 Participation Report found that among Americans age 6 and older, those 65 years old and up are the most inactive.

Regardless of activity level, beginning or incorporating a mind/body, movement-based exercise program like yoga is an overall positive addition to any routine. For over 5,000 years, yoga’s approach to fitness has bridged the gap between mind and body with an exercise program designed to increase a person’s mental and physical health as a whole.

Today yoga is practiced by more than 36 million Americans, with 38 percent falling in the 50 and older age group, reports the 2016 Yoga in America Study conducted by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance — a number that grew by 16.4 million since 2012. Not only is yoga growing in popularity, it continues to be recognized for its valuable role in health care.

The National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Integrated Health cites multiple studies linking yoga to benefits including a higher quality of life; reduced stress; lower heart rate and blood pressure; relief from anxiety, depression and insomnia; and improved overall physical fitness, strength and flexibility.

As people age beyond their 50s, they face decreased flexibility, balance and muscle mass, which can lead to poor posture, pain and instability in the joints of the body, said Becky Neu, physical therapist assistant (PTA) with Inspire Physical Therapy in College Station. Yoga is an effective exercise program that is easy on the joints and is easily modified depending on needs

or pre-existing conditions.

Neu, who is also a registered yoga teacher, said “Yoga focuses on alignment of the body to improve posture and is a great way to increase strength, flexibility and balance while also providing stress relief through breath work.”

With more than 100 different styles of yoga, most typically include postures, breathing exercises and meditation.

Postures, or asana, increase strength, flexibility and balance across different levels of intensity from low to high, ensuring no undue stress is placed on any particular organ, muscle, joint or bone, says the American Senior Fitness Association. Breathwork, or pranayama, can increase energy, alertness and focus, reduce stress and improve overall health. By age 65, a heathy person’s lung capacity has decreased by over half a liter, according to the American Lung Association. Yoga encourages fully inhaling and exhaling to maximize oxygen to the brain.

In addition to the physical aspect of yoga, the incorporation of meditation and breathing can help improve a person’s mental well-being.

As stated in the online article “The Benefits of Yoga” written for the American Osteopathic Association, Natalie Nevins, DO, a board-certified osteopathic family physician and certified Kundalini Yoga instructor stated, “Regular yoga practice creates mental clarity and calmness; increases body awareness; relieves chronic stress patterns; relaxes the mind; centers attention; and sharpens concentration.”

Nevins added that body- and self-awareness are particularly beneficial

6 | July 5, 2016

“because they can help with early detection of physical problems and allow for early preventive action.”

Getting started Many people are afraid to walk into a yoga class because they think they have to do everything just as the teacher demonstrates.

Liz Boenig, 60, of College Station understands that feeling of intimidation.

“I went to a yoga class 20 years ago and didn’t go back because it was too hard,” Boenig said.

“There were older people in that class that were doing amazing things that I couldn’t do.

However, the intrigue never left her, and she

immediately beg age 59.

“I have learn and mentally tha builds up my inn go of the mental gain clarity.”

Physically, sh posture for year “Now, I finall and it feels great flexibility, balan I feel very calm a confidence.”

Lisa Taufern

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fe

Addressing common concerns about exercising after 50 Metro Creative Connection

mind and body

gan classes after her retirement at

ned that I am stronger physically an I ever thought I was. Yoga ner and outer strength. As I let l and physical stress in my body, I

he has had trouble with her rs. ly am learning to straighten up t,” she said. “I enjoy having more nce and strength. After a session and ready to face the world with

ner, owner of Brazos Healing

Center and registered yoga teacher in Hatha and Kundalini yoga, said it’s not necessary to be flexible or be at a certain level of fitness to try yoga, but a person does need to be open to trying different teachers and styles.

“Yoga is very much a practice, so it’s important not to get discouraged,” she said.

Tauferner suggests these steps to help get started: 1. Start slow with a series of classes that will be supportive. Look for classes that use key words like beginner, restorative or relaxation. The class description is a good indicator of pace and level.

Restorative yoga uses the support of props like blankets, straps and blocks to help hold poses longer and reduce strain on the body.

Another type of yoga, chair yoga, allows people who cannot easily change positions to enjoy the benefits of yoga from a seated position.

2. Contact the instructor or studio ahead of time to find out more about teaching style and classes offered. Also be sure to let the instructor know of any pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure, injuries or surgeries.

3. “Listen to your body. I think that is the most common thing people need to be aware of in any new movement-based practice,” Tauferner said.

She cautions people to be mindful of how they’re moving and to stop if anything becomes painful.

“You have to be patient with where you’re at and don’t do more than you’re ready to do,” she said.

Be sure to consult with your physician if you have pre-existing conditions that may need to be cleared such as blood pressure or balance issues.

Some Bryan-College Station yoga studios: Brazos Healing Center — www.brazoshealing. com, 979-739-4338 OM Grown Yoga & Tea Bar — www. omgrownyogastudio.com, 979-704-6043 Studio Yoga — www.studioyogabcs.com, 979820-3464 Breath Effect Yoga — breatheffectyoga.com/ home, 979-255-1165 Yoga Pod — collegestation.yogapodcommunity. com, 979-693-3837 Carrie Garrett — www.cariegarrett.com College Station Yoga — 979-450-1027

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Exercise is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle. Including exercise in your daily routine can lower your risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and exercise can even sharpen mental acuity, reduce anxiety and improve mood.

But as beneficial as exercise can be, many men and women, particularly those over the age of 50 who have not laced up their sneakers in years, are hesitant to begin an exercise regimen for a variety of reasons, potentially putting their longterm health at risk.

Regardless of a person’s age, beginning a new exercise regimen can be intimidating. But it’s especially so for people over the age of 50, who might not know where to begin or how to approach adopting a healthier lifestyle.

According to the National Institute on Aging, the following are a few points men and women should know as they attempt to improve their physical fitness with a more active lifestyle.

• Exercise is safe even if you have not been physically active in a long time. Many older men and women worry that suddenly embracing physical fitness after years of inactivity may be detrimental to their health. But that’s only true if they don’t exercise caution at the outset of their routines.

When beginning the routine, take things very slowly at first, choosing to walk or bike every day rather than hitting the treadmill and adjusting it to maximum resistance. When strength training, start off with very little weight so your muscles can grow acclimated to the motions and you can get the exercises down pat. As you grow more comfortable and your body starts to feel more up to the challenges of daily exercise, you can begin to gradually alter your cardiovascular and strength training workouts to make them more challenging.

• Exercise can make existing medical conditions more manageable.

Those over the age of 50 who have preexisting medical conditions are likely to find that exercise alleviates rather than exacerbates their physical problems. The NIA notes that studies have shown that regular exercise and physical activity can benefit people with arthritis, high blood pressure and heart disease.

But it’s still recommended that people with preexisting medical conditions consult with their physicians before making any lifestyle changes. Some conditions may affect a person’s ability to be active, and it’s best to get the goahead from a physician before beginning an exercise regimen. Doctors may even suggest certain activities that have been known to alleviate particular conditions.

• Exercise reduces fatigue, so sitting around to preserve strength is not effective. Exercise improves strength and energy levels, so sitting on the sideline to preserve your strength is counterproductive and could lead to serious medical problems.

The “Report on Physical Activity and Health” from the U.S. Surgeon General’s office noted that people who are inactive are almost twice as likely to develop heart disease as those who are more active. While getting adequate rest and giving your body ample time to recover from physical activity is essential, your body won’t benefit by avoiding exercise to preserve your strength. However, even moderate physical activity performed on a regular basis can reduce fatigue.

• No one is too old to exercise. It’s not uncommon for men and women in their golden years to think they are too old to exercise. Some may feel that their toned down workouts cannot possibly be making much of an impact thanks to the physical limitations old age has put on their bodies, while others may think it’s unwise for someone in their 70s or 80s to be physically active.

But no one is too old to exercise, as exercise helps the body stay strong and fit even when you can no longer max out on the bench press or squat hundreds of pounds. Scaling back your exercise routine will be necessary as you get older, but that does not mean you cannot still enjoy and benefit from physical activity.

Continuing to exercise as you age is a great way to improve your quality of life and stay as active as possible well into your golden years.

July 5, 2016 | 7

Things to consider before downsizing your home Metro Creative Connection

Once their kids have left the nest, many parents over 50 begin to consider downsizing their homes.

Downsizing to a smaller home can be beneficial for a variety of reasons, including less home to clean and maintain, more affordable utility bills and lower property taxes. But the decision to downsize is rarely black and white, and homeowners often struggle with that decision.

Perhaps the most difficult part of the decision of whether or not to downsize to a smaller home concerns the sentimental attachment many homeowners, especially those with children, have to their homes. The home might be too big for your current needs, but it also was the same place where your son took his first steps and where your daughter lost her first tooth. Saying goodbye to a place that was home to so many memories isn’t easy. But there’s more than just sentimental value to consider when deciding whether to downsize your home after the kids have grown up and moved out.

Personal finances Your financial situation merits significant consideration when deciding if the time is right to downsize your home. If your retirement nest egg is not as substantial as you would like it to be, then it would seem as though downsizing to a smaller, more affordable home is a great opportunity for you to start catching up on your retirement savings. But that’s only true if your new home won’t incur any additional expenses that are already taken care of in your current home. For example, your current home may be fully furnished, while a new, smaller home may require you to buy all new furniture because your existing items simply won’t fit. The cost of such furnishings can be considerable. If you plan to move into a condominium, you can expect to pay monthly homeowners association fees, and such fees are often substantial. So while the condo itself might be smaller, the additional expenses associated with the property may end up making the smaller home more expensive and prevent you from saving more money for retirement.

Real estate market There are seller’s markets and there are buyer’s markets, and ideally you would like to sell your home in a seller’s market. But keep in mind that this might be the same market in which you hope to buy a new home. The nature of the real estate market depends on a host of factors, including geography. If the city or town where you currently live is in the midst of a seller’s market and you are planning on moving to a location where buyers have the upper hand, then now might be a great time to move. But if you currently live in a buyer’s market and hope to move to a seller’s market, then you may end up paying

a steep price, even when downsizing to a smaller home. Things may even themselves out if you want to downsize to a smaller home within your current community, but do your homework nonetheless, researching the time of year when you’re most likely to get the most for your home and find the best deal on your next place. The advantage those considering downsizing have is that they are rarely in a rush to move out of their current home and into their next one. This gives them ample time to make the real estate market work for them.

and women over 50 consider after their children have moved out. Such a decision is rarely easy, so homeowners should take as much time as they need before making a final decision to move or stay put.

Space How much space do you really need? Once the kids have moved out, couples may feel like all of that extra space is going to waste. But that can be a knee-jerk reaction, and upon a more thorough examination of the space and your needs, you may just find that you can put all of that extra square footage to good use after all. If you have always wanted your own art studio, then now might be the perfect time to make that a reality. Always wanted a room devoted to home theater? Get to work on converting your basement from an all-purpose game room to your own private movie theater. If, after considering the space in your home, you find that the extra square footage really is just upkeep you aren’t especially interested in doing, then you would no doubt like a cozier home that’s less of a responsibility to maintain.

Downsizing a home is something many men

8 | July 5, 2016

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Chronic pain from page 5

memory.

As if the chronic pain itself is not bad enough, the pain learning process may induce degenerative changes in emotional circuitry.

The idea dates back to the work of Pavlov over 100 years ago revealing that animals experiencing painful stimuli learn to associate that pain with other ongoing events, called conditioning stimuli, which include the associated emotional distress.

The animals remember both the pain and the negative emotion, even when neither is any longer present.

But until the last few years, nobody seems to have applied these findings to the issue of chronic pain in humans.

The idea is that a prolonged period of acute pain strengthens the emotional pathways that are activated during pain, and continuously reinforces the signals so that they do not go away even after the physical pain is gone. This process might even be thought of as a kind of addiction.

Many theorists believe that the usual addictions, as to opiates, nicotine, etc. have a large learning and memory component.

We have known for a long time that pain can induce huge emotional

But of course, prevention is not always easy to accomplish. Today, physicians are more aware of the addictiveness of the most reliable pain killers -- opiates. They tend to cut short use of opiates in order to prevent drug addiction.

One possible treatment may be akin to emerging treatments for posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).

Development of PTSD is reduced if morphine is given immediately after an acute trauma. A beta-blocking drug, propranolol, can have a similar preventing effect, presumably because it blocks memory reconsolidation.

Whenever you recall a memory, it will be re-stored. While it is consciously “on-line,” the memory is vulnerable to modification, and a new and perhaps less traumatic version of the memory can be saved in memory.

In PTSD therapy, you might recall the memory and have its reconsolidation blocked by certain drugs that prevent memory consolidation.

Another possibility is to target the synaptic biochemistry involved in pain.

Neuronal NMDA receptor molecules are involved in the emotional component of acute pain, and one drug that acts on these receptors, D-cycloserine, has been shown in animal studies to inhibit pain-related behavior for weeks afterward.

There is also a protein kinase enzyme that mediates the emotional

distress. Numerous anecdotes establish that unpleasant emotional states are magnified by pain. But we also know that thoughts and emotions can regulate pain.

For example, a mother’s kiss may reduce a child’s pain from a sudden injury better than any analgesic. In the heat of combat, a wounded soldier may feel no pain until after the attack is over. These pain-suppressing effects are not just psychological but even include inhibition of pain signals as they arise in the spinal cord.

Notably, one of the key brain areas involved in pain is the hippocampus, which is crucially involved in forming memories. But the hippocampus is a key linchpin in the neural circuitry that processes emotions and mediates stress.

You might think that this is a perverse feature of nature. But actually the process has its uses. Pain provides a teaching signal that makes one want to avoid such situations in the future.

But in chronic pain the lesson becomes so well entrenched that the pain memory cannot be extinguished.

If this theory is correct, it means that the usual treatments for chronic pain need to focus on memory mechanisms. Minimizing the pain while healing is in progress should reduce the likelihood of developing chronic pain memories.

Managing money after 50 Metro Creative Connection

Investors know that money management can be difficult. The ebb and flow of the economy can be similar to a roller coaster, with soaring highs followed by steep drops, and those changes all affect investors’ bottom lines. It’s no wonder then that many investors over 50 envision the day when they can get off that roller coaster and simply enjoy their money without having to worry about the everyday ups and downs of the market. But managing money after 50 is about more than just reducing risk.

Reducing risk as retirement draws near is a sound financial strategy that can safeguard people over 50 from the fluctuations of T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

the market. That’s true whether investors put their money in stocks, real estate or other areas that were not immune to the ups and downs of the economy. But there are additional steps boomers can take after they turn 50 to ensure their golden years are as enjoyable and financially sound as possible.

• Prioritize saving for retirement. Those over 50 know that retirement is right around the corner. Despite that, many people over 50 still have not prioritized saving for retirement.

It’s understandable that other obligations, be it paying kids’ college tuition or offering financial assistance to aging parents, may seem more immediate, but people over 50 should recognize that their time to save for retirement is rapidly dwindling. Just because

you are retired does not mean your bills will magically disappear. In fact, some of those bills, such as the cost of medical care, are likely to increase. So now is the time to make retirement a priority if you have not already done so. It might be nice to finance a child’s college education, but that should not be done at the expense of your retirement nest egg. Kids have a lifetime ahead of them to repay college loans, while adults over 50 do not have that much time to save for retirement.

• Start making decisions.

People retire at different times in their lives. Some people want to keep working as long as they are

See Money page 11

distress of pain. Animal studies show that there is a peptide that inhibits this enzyme and in the process reduces pain-related behavior.

Work is underway in several laboratories trying to identify appropriate molecular targets in chronic-pain pathways so that appropriate drug therapies can be developed.

Sources: Apkarian, A. V., Baliki, M. N., and Geha, P. Y. (2009). Towards a theory of chronic pain. Prog. Neurobiology. 87, 81-97.

Mansour, A. R. et al. (2014). Chronic pain: the role of learning and brain plasticity. Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience. 32, 129-139.

Melazck, R., and Wall, P.D. (1965).

Pain mechanisms: a new theory.

Science. 150, 971-979.

Sandkühler, J., and Lee, J. (2013).

How to erase memory traces of pain and fear. Trends in Neurosciences.

36(6), 343-352.

Readers wanting to know more about slowing aging and boosting brain function should get Memory Medic’s e-book, “Improve Your Memory for a Healthy Brain. Memory Is the Canary in Your Brain’s Coal Mine” for 99 cents at Smashwords.com.

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July 5, 2016 | 9

CALENDAR

Ongoing Sit and Fit Chair Exercises Adults 55 and up meet at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from noon to 1 p.m. Gentle workout while sitting in a chair. Features fat-burning aerobics and weight lifting. For more details, contact 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

Line dance workshop for beginners – Adults 55 and older are invited to a free line dance workshop for beginners, held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the first, second and third Monday of each month, at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station.

Learn the steps and terminology. No registration necessary. Contact 7646351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

Line Dancing - Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, holds line dancing for seniors on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Low impact workout, to the hottest tunes. For more information, contact 979-764-6351, 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Classic Country and Bluegrass Jam Session – Bluegrass Jam Session is from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. All levels welcome.

Bring string instruments and a friend.

Open to all who like to listen to or play this kind of music. For more details, contact 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

Friday Bridge - Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, offers bridge for seniors on Fridays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more, contact 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Learn how to play 42 dominoes Learn the game of 42 every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Contact Southwood Community Center at 979764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

42 dominoes - Adults 55 and up

meet every Thursday to play 42 at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. New players welcome. For more details, contact 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Bible study – Bible study is held for seniors 9:15-10:15 a.m. every Thursday at Lincoln Center, 1000 Eleanor St. in College Station. Contact 979-764-3779 or awilliams@cstx.gov for more information.

Maj Jongg - Adults 55 and older interested in learning the game will meet at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station on Thursdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact 764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx. gov.

Game Night - Seniors are invited to Game Night from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station.

Table games and dominoes provided or bring your own favorite game. Meet friends and enjoy a fun game night.

For more information contact 979-7646371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Forevercise - Forevercise is a free exercise class for ages 55 and up, offered on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 1:30–3 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Class offers individuals healthy lifestyle practices with helpful tips on nutrition and exercise. Exercises may be done while standing or sitting in a chair. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Dominoes - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays dominoes all day on Tuesdays and Fridays and from noon to closing Wednesdays. Sack lunch for those playing dominoes from 11:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. For more details: 979-822-6873/www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly. com.

Bridge – Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays Bridge from 12:30 p.m. until closing on Tuesdays; noon to closing on Thursdays; and 12:20

1 0 | July 5, 2016

p.m. to closing Fridays. Partner needed Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more details: 979-822-6873 or www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly. com.

Games - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays board games, Scrabble and other card games on Tuesdays.

For more details: 979-822-6873/www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly. com.

Bible study - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, holds Bible study 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, call 979-822-6873 or visit www.brazoscountyseniorcitizens. weebly.com.

Exercise class - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, holds exercise class 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays.

For more details, call 979-822-6873 or visit www.brazoscountyseniorcitizens. weebly.com.

Bingo - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays Bingo 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays. For more details: 979-822-6873 or www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly. com.

Canasta - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays Canasta from 11:30 a.m. to closing on Thursdays. For more details, call 979-822-6873 or visit www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly. com.

Potluck luncheon - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, has a potluck luncheon 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Fridays. For more, call 979-822-6873 or visit www.brazoscountyseniorcitizens. weebly.com.

One-on-one computer help - 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Saturdays at Larry J. Ringer Library, 1818 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy. S. in College Station.

Contact the Reference Desk to schedule a 30-minute session, at 979764-3416. For more information, visit www.bcslibrary.org.

July 6

Computer Club for Seniors: “Google Maps”- The Computer Club is open to all adults 55 and older interested in learning more about the computer world. Held at Carter Creek Training Room at 2200 North Forest Parkway in College Station at 9:30 a.m.

No pre-registration needed. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

July 8 Lunch with the Expert – Held at 11:30 a.m. by Senior Circle, at Senior Circle Auditorium, 1651 Rock Prairie Road (second floor auditorium) in College Station. Speaker will be Christi Madsen, audiologist with Texas ENT & Allergy. Cost is $5 for members/$6 for guests. RSVP by July 5, to 979-7645107 or seniorcircle@csmedcenter. com.

July 14 “Your Dance, Your Life: A Journey to Hope” – Five-week course held at 11 a.m. on Thursdays, July 14 to Aug. 11, at Senior Circle Auditorium, 1651 Rock Prairie Road (second floor) in College Station. This free course deals with the theme of grief and sorrow.

Each participant will receive their own journal and companion DVD. Watch as the character in the DVD shares her story, experiences and insights of the journey out of grief and into hope.

Creating discussion led by Brandi Riley, professional counselor, MA, of Visiting Angels and Mary Margaret Mann, author, speaker and actress.

Contact Senior Circle at 979-764-5107 or seniorcircle@csmedcenter.com .

July 19 Nutrition Education - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offers monthly cooking demos with new recipes and food choices for healthy living. Join other seniors 60 and older at Lincoln Center, at 1000 Eleanor in College Station, from 10-11 a.m. For more information, contact Annie Williams at

See Calendar page 11 T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Money

from page 9 physically and mentally capable of doing so, while others want to reap what their lifetime of hard work has sewn and retire early.

Finances will likely play a strong role in when you can comfortably retire, so start making decisions about your long-term future.

Do you intend to stay in your current home or downsize to a smaller home?

Will you stay in your current area or move elsewhere? These decisions require a careful examination of your finances, and many will hinge on how well you have managed your money in the past and how well you manage it in the years ahead.

Managing money after 50 requires more than just allocating resources.

Calendar

from page 10 979-764-3779.

July 20 Family History Computer Group: “The world’s top genealogy websites” - The group shares an interest in finding family history and storing it on your computer. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at Carter Creek Training Room, 2200 N. Forest Parkway in College Station, from 9:30-11 a.m.

No registration is required. Open to adults 55 and older. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Exploring History Luncheon: “Cuba” - The College Station Historic Preservation Committee and the College Station Parks and Recreation Department present monthly lectures with lunch on the history of the community. Held at Aldersgate Church, 2201 Earl Rudder Fwy S. in College Station. A reservation is necessary for lunch and the cost is $7. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Speaker will begin at noon. RSVP by July 15 by contacting 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Brown Bag Lunch with speaker – Held by Senior Circle at 11:30 a.m. at 1651 Rock Prairie Road (second floor) in College Station. Speaker will be T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Sound money management after 50 also means making decisions about your future and taking the necessary steps to ensure those decisions come to fruition.

• Pay down debt. Men and women over 50 are not often associated with debt, but that’s a misconception.

Thanks in part to the recession that began in 2008 and led to high unemployment, many people in the baby boomer generation, which includes people born between the years 1946 and 1964, went back to school to make themselves more attractive to prospective employers. While that might have been a sound decision, it left many deeply in debt.

According to a 2013 report from the Chronicle of Higher Education, student loan debt is growing fastest among people over 60, and that debt is not inconsequential. In fact, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported

in 2013 that the average student loan debt of those over the age of 60 who still owe money is more than $19,000, a considerable increase from 2005, when the average debt was $11,000.

Those over 50 who are still carrying debt should eliminate consumer debt first, as such debt tends to be accompanied by higher interest rates than mortgages and student loan debt.

Paying down debt can help reduce stress, improve your quality of life and free up money for living and recreational expenses once you retire.

• Examine your insurance policies. Your approach to insurance should change as you get closer to retirement.

For example, you want to maximize your liability insurance on homeowners and auto insurance policies. This ensures the money you have set aside for retirement won’t be going to a third

party should you be at-fault in an auto accident or if someone suffers an injury at your home.

Experts recommend liability insurance be substantial for people over 50, with some suggesting it be as high as twice your net worth.

If it wasn’t already, securing longterm disability insurance should be a priority once you have turned 50. A sudden accident or illness at 55 that prevents you from working could prove devastating to your financial future if you do not have disability insurance.

Some employers offer long-term disability, though many people are left to secure policies on their own.

Regardless of how you get your disability insurance, make sure you have it and that it provides adequate coverage should you succumb to an illness or injury and be unable to work.

Tricia Von Goten of Comfort Keepers.

Topic will be “National Lollipop Day – Art Therapy.” Free for Senior Circle members and non-members. Bring your lunch; drinks and dessert will be provided. RSVP at 979-764-5107 or seniorcircle@csmedcenter.com.

Community Enhancement officers will be there to share safety tips and answer questions. No registration needed.

Contact 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@ cstx.gov for more information.

Bingo & Birthday Celebration Join on the last Friday of each month from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at Southwood Community Center for bingo and cake, to celebrate July birthdays. Prizes. No registration necessary. Call 979-7646351 for more information.

July 29

July 21 Free Movie and Popcorn: “Little Boy” - Adults 55 and older are invited to enjoy a free movie and popcorn at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station.

Movie begins at 1 p.m. Contact Southwood Community Center at 979764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

July 25 Senior Advisory Committee meeting - The Senior Advisory Committee meets monthly to discuss programs and activities for adults 55 and older. Meeting is held at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station at 10 a.m. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

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July 28 Watermelon Social with College Station Police Department - Seniors are invited to join at Southwood Community Center from 2-3 p.m. for cold watermelon. The College Station

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