Happy Mother’s Day!

Most countries have a special day to celebrate mothers.  Mother’s Day is a wonderful occasion for traditions:  children make little gifts and cards in school; bouquets of flowers are gathered; poems are written; mother’s chores are done by others so she can rest…  There are multiple ways to make a mother feel special.  Why not try one of the following?

• Make a picture album with photos of you and your mother and grandmother.
• Create a book of Memories with Mom.  Fill each page with a special memory.
• Sprinkle her home with notes of love.  Put notes in places where she is sure to find them: refrigerator, medicine cabinet, pillow on her bed,…  On each note write something that you love about her.  This can be fun to do with your children for their grandmother.
• If your mother is no longer alive, adopt a mother for the day.
• Reach out to women who have touched your life and remind them of what they mean to you and that you love them.

Tina Rogers, Switzerland

I just think that at every and any age you have to esteem the age you are experiencing at the moment.  So whether you’re 15, 20, 40 or 60 there is something to learn and gain from life.  It is an esteem of life.  You’re alive, you’re vibrant.  It’s your life, so just enjoy it.

Tina’s tips: Always take an interest in life at every age.  Keep learning, keep excited, try to keep negative thoughts out of your life.  Enjoy. – Enjoy. – Enjoy!  Life is short.  Make the most of it.

Tina Rogers is a lifestyle coach and trainer.

Walnuts for AgeEsteem

Most people love walnuts, either in brownies or cookies or other delights. Did you know that walnuts are very healthy as well as being delicious? Next time you’re hungry and feel like a snack, eat a handful of walnuts.

Walnuts are healthy for your AgeEsteem.  They contribute to the prevention of health factors associated with aging.

Walnuts are rich in the omega-3 fatty acids which lower LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of heart disease. Walnut oil is obviously good for cardiovascular health as well. In addition walnuts are rich in iron, protein and magnesium which is necessary for strong bones.  They are a very versatile food which can be added to vegetables as well as to desserts. So, when next baking or cooking, add some walnuts!

Waldorf Salad
Equal amounts of red apples, celery and walnuts, cut into small pieces.
Add one cup of sour cream and mix together.
Refrigerate and serve when needed.

Grandma Nature

David Muenker, 57, USA

Age Esteem is feeling good about yourself.  Being happy in your now with esteem at any age.  One of the things you would initially think of is age being older.  But I think it is regardless of the age you are.  Whether you are a teenager or 20 years old you still need to feel good about what you are doing, what you are contributing to the world, how you’re showing up.  Maybe it’s more critical for a lot of people of our age who have been sort of following a path that wasn’t what they wanted.  They weren’t following their dreams, just following what their education and expectations had led them to.  And now they are at a point of reexamining themselves and wanting to know how to place themselves in their reality, their now.

David’s tips: Smile at yourself.  It’s not as serious as you think.  Have fun.  That’s why we’re here.   Give as many hugs and kisses as you can.

David Muenker is an independent professional photographer.

Healthy Hair

The condition of our hair contributes to our personal image and age-esteem.  As we get older, our hair often begins to thin and we may even lose much of it.  (Good news for women. Typically, although women may lose hair, they rarely become bald like men do.)

What can you do to help your hair thrive?

• Brush your hair frequently to help the circulation go to the head. It will strengthened your hair, make it shiny and help prevent hair loss.
• Be sure to get enough iron in your diet.  Iron is very important in keeping hair healthy and to avoid hair loss. Iron is found in spinach, liver, shellfish, red meat and soybeans.

Note: Studies have shown that older people with a high iron content have the same type of brain activity as younger adults.

Grandma Nature

Traditions can also be solo.  Sometimes it is fun to begin a meaningful tradition just for yourself.  It can provide a wonderful  means to pamper yourself by repeating something that you especially enjoy.   This will increase your happiness which also enhances your AgeEsteem.

A tradition can be related to a hobby or sport.

• Fishing on the first day of the season no matter what the weather.
• Getting up to watch the sunrise on the first day of summer.
• Making a collage of photos at the end of each year.
• Giving something you own to someone who needs it on your birthday.
• Treating yourself to a special brunch each Sunday.

Of course these solo traditions may become contagious and  include other people as well.

World Penguin Day coincides with the annual northward migration of penguins which happens on or around April 25th.  It is believed that they migrate north to have more daylight since they cannot see well and the light is essential for finding food.

Penguins do not fly. Rather, they walk or waddle and slide.  They are amusing to watch as they parade around in their black and white tuxedos.  This is a great exercise for your age esteem since the they are bound to provoke your laughter. and laughter is healthy for both mind and body.  You will probably need to got to the zoo to watch them.  Unless, of course, you  live in Antarctica, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, the Falkland Islands, or the Galapagos Islands where they are found.

Sharing the sunset

There are numerous places in the world from the U.S. to South Africa and Australia where my husband and I have joined the local tradition of watching the sun go down at the end of the day.   It is like donuts and champagne or balloons and dancing on New Year’s eve or a picnic on the first day of summer.  As soon as we repeat the event, it becomes tradition.  We expect it and look forward to repeating it yet again.

Traditions are  healthy for our age-esteem.

• They give us occasion to celebrate.
• We look forward and plan for these events, whether as organizer or participant.
• Traditions are social events that bring us together with others.
• Traditions are often inter-generational, offering an opportunity for all ages to have fun together.
• They create memories and images to savor and to share.
• They do not need to cost anything, like sharing the sunset.

Susanne Brennan 39, Australia

When I hear the words Age Esteem I think of however old you are you’re valuing the contribution you are making.  I remember a particular phrase that we were using and that was shared with me.  “Be yourself, because everyone else is taken.”  I liked it because I think it catches that idea about valuing who you are with your own uniqueness and your own difference. And I think one of the things we’re learning through the notion of inter-generational conversation is how wherever we are coming from whether it’s your age, your background, your culture or your education,  everyone is bringing a valued perspective to a conversation.

Susanne’s tips: I think for me it’s about taking every opportunity that comes and living without regrets, so not looking back and thinking, “Oh I wish I had”, or looking forward and thinking “I’m worried that I won’t have”, but rather  enjoying where you are and doing the best you can wherever you are.

Susanne Brennan is a barrister in Melbourne, Australia and president of the World YWCA.

Time For Tea

Take time for tea. There is nothing like a cup of hot tea to warm and comfort. It has many medicinal uses as well.

Green and black tea are the most useful. Both are known to  prevent the coagulation of the arteries, thus preventing heart attacks.

The Japanese and Indians first discovered the anti-inflammatory properties of green tea many centuries ago. Green tea aids in the improvement of the functioning of the brain. It has been shown that brain activity in older people is equal to younger persons when tea is regularly drunk over a period of time.

In addition green tea contains fluoride which strengthens teeth and enamel.  At the same time it fortifies bones, which can offset osteoporosis. Older people must be especially careful as bones become more fragile, thus causing them to break should they fall.

There are beauty benefits in tea as well. Studies show that it fights premature aging and sharpens concentration. Nowadays we often see cosmetics, perfume and other beauty products proclaiming tea as an important and efficient ingredient in stopping the aging process from within and without.

Grandma Nature