Retirement: Does Remaining Active Help Us Live Longer As We Age?

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When it comes to retirement, it is easy to fall into a sedentary lifestyle. The only way to not end on the couch watching endless games shows and eating Cheetos is to be very intentional.  When we are intentional, we direct our focus and attention towards a plan of action; and action to stay active. Staying active in retirement is critical to living a longer life.

A Little Goes A Long Way

According to AARP,  Harvard University researchers claim that just 15 minutes of physical activity per day can be beneficial to your health.  Just 15 minutes per day can add three years to your life. Federal guidelines recommend at least two and a half hours weekly of moderate exercise or one hour and 15 minutes vigorous exercise to add three years.

Regardless of additional lifespan, studies have shown that even minimal exercise can strengthen the heart, help maintain our weight, and slow the aging process at a cellular level.  More importantly, the 2018 JAMA Network Open study found that not exercising increases your risk of premature death more than cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even smoking.

Below are two studies  –  One by Brigham Young who studied DNA samples from nearly 6000 adults and the other by Ball State University. Here are their amazing results.

Brigham Young researchers looked at DNA samples of nearly 6,000 adults. They measured the lengths of study participants’ telomeres, the molecular caps at the end of chromosomes that tend to get shorter with age, and found that people with higher activity levels had longer telomeres than those who were sedentary. In fact, the exercisers had a “biological age” that was about nine years younger.

Another recent study found that men and women in their 70s who exercise regularly have the heart, lung, and muscle fitness of healthy people 30 years younger. “We were shocked,” says Scott Trappe, the director of the Human Performance Laboratory at Ball State University and author of that study. “We assume that as you get older, you become frail and weak. But just looking at the muscle of older exercisers compared to younger ones, we couldn’t tell who was young and who was old.”

While Trappe’s study focused on men and women who have been exercising for decades, it’s never too late to start. Studies show that even people who start exercising in their 80s and 90s experience health and longevity benefits. A study just published in the International Journal of Stroke, for instance, showed that those who became fit later in life (ages 40 to 59) cut their risk of a potentially deadly stroke in half, while those who had been fit when younger and became unfit doubled their risk.

Where to Start

If this whole exercise concept is new for you, then the first thing to do might be to think about what sounds like it would be a fun thing to learn or participate in, there are so many senior activities these days; pickle ball, badminton, Wii Sports, tai chi, yoga, water aerobics, bike riding, walking groups, etc. 

The other thing to consider is community. Another part of senior living that is dangerous is isolation. If you combine physical activity with a partner or group, you are killing 2 birds with one stone.

Bonus-You are Burning Calories

Along with keeping us healthy and possibly adding years to our life, staying active and exercising also has an extra bonus-it helps us burn calories. Research shows that exercise will help prevent weight gain or help maintain weight loss. The more intense the workout, the more calories you burn.

We can also burn calories by simply altering everyday routines. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park further away, and take your dog for a walk instead of letting them out the back door.

Invest in a Smart Watch

A Fitbit type device is worth the investment if you are interested in your health. They help you understand your body with advanced features as well as keep you accountable to your goals.

This device can help you set and track daily step goals, keep track of your Sleep Score, 24/7 heart rate. It will track your time asleep and restlessness, in-app Sleep Score helps you better understand your sleep quality. It also gives you the ability to control Spotify, download Pandora stations, and add Deezer playlists.

Data referenced https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2019/exercise-longevity-wellness-benefits.html

New Orleans – A Tourist Dream

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New Orleans is a tourist dream. There is so much to do and see in this amazing city. Maybe that is why over 18 million tourists walk the streets of New Orleans every year.

What is Tourism?
The term ‘tour’ is derived from the Latin term tornus, meaning ‘a tool for making a circle’. Tourism may be described as the act of staying away from your normal residence or environment, usually for a minimum of 24 hours, in pursuit of leisure, entertainment, recreation, education, and/or business.

Tourism is a critical part of many economies, including New Orleans. Tourism is New Orleans number one industry. It brings in billions of dollars to the local economy and helps employ over 80,000 people. The tourism dollars collected impacts the entire community. The money a tourist spends in New Orleans trickles down. If you pay for a tour guide to show you around the city, That tour guide will then take that money and buy dinner for him and his wife. The tip the waiter received from that dinner will then be spent on the waiter’s haircut the following Tuesday at the Barbershop. This is why the tourism industry is so important.

Tourist Attractions
New Orleans is known for so many things. Here are some of their best-known attractions.

Mardi Gras: Mardi Gras is New Orleans’ signature event, with celebrations that span two weeks. The finale is on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

The tradition was introduced to the city by French settlers and became famous by the end of the 19th century. The tradition was introduced to the city by French settlers and became famous by the end of the 19th century. Celebrations include daily parades, masquerade balls, festivities, and entertainment, which increase in intensity as the event draws to a close.

The French Quarter: The French Quarter is possibly the most popular destination for both tourists and locals alike. The French Quarter offers an authentic New Orlean experience, from morning to night. This destination is filled with historical sites, fantastic restaurants, a lively pub scene, and lots of street musicians.

National WWII Museum: The National WWII Museum is an outstanding museum with engaging displays and documentary snippets that tell the history of WWII. The museum is divided into three sections. One section is devoted to the war in the Pacific. A second section is dedicated to the war in Europe. The final section is a building that houses the WWII aircraft.

A movie entitled Beyond All Boundaries, produced and narrated by Tom Hanks, is revealed from the 4D Theater, with seats that rumble as tanks go by on the screen, and stage props that turn the movie into a full-on sensory experience.

As visitors go from room to room through the displays, brief black-and-white documentary-style film segments provide a real-life look at how the items on screen were included in the warfare.

Private Tours In New Orleans
Is paying the money for a private tour in New Orleans worth it? Private tours are about personal preference. Some people like to explore on their own when they are visiting a new area. Other people prefer to be directed and learn about all the history and different parts of the area by someone who already knows.

There is also a variety of tours offered. For instance, you can book an all-day tour in a car as one person or you can book a bar crawl which means you are walking from bar to bar with about 10 people and a tour guide. There is something out there offered for everyone.

What Does A Business Coach Do?

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Women's Business Coach; What Does a Women's Business Coach Do

WHAT DOES A BUSINESS COACH DO?

A business coach has one main focus. That focus is to help a business owner move their business from where it is now to where the owner wants it to be.  A business coach takes into account the owner’s personal goals and how those goals fit into the vision of the business plan. 

How Does the Business Coaching Process Work?

A business coach helps an organization in many ways.  A business coach has many tools to help a client reach their goals. They also wear many hats. They are there to encourage, teach, coach, motivate and train the business owner as well as their team.  

The initial meeting will most likely be lengthy. The business coach will want a detailed assessment of the business. They will also want to understand what the expectation is of the business owner. The business coach and the client will also establish how often they will be meeting. Meeting frequency is important in a coaching relationship. Coaches are available to meet in person, on the phone, or on-line. This structure is key to keeping the business owner on track.

After the initial meeting, the business coach and owner will continue to meet as agreed. The meeting will consist of the owner updating the coach on the status of the plan. The coach is there to do the following.

  • Identify the problems and offer guidance on the resolution of the issue.
  • Motivate the owner to accept business-related challenges and reach their full potential.
  • Encourage the owner
  • Offer management skills training  
  • Provide constructive feedback when needed
  • Help the owner develop their strengths and abilities
  • Keep the owner on track as they grow and develop their business.
  • Continue to cast the owner’s vision.  

These tools will help the coach and client continue to move toward their goals and objectives.  

Is There A Difference In Business Coaching Certifications?

Yes, there are three different certifications for coaching 

  • Associate Certified Coach (ACC) – Requires 60+ hours of training & 100 hours of coaching experience.
  • Professional Certified Coach (PCC) – Requires 125+ hours of training & 500 hours of coaching experience.
  • Master of Certified Coach (MCC) – Requires 200+ hours of training & 2,500 hours of coaching experience.

Women’s Business Coaching

In the business environment, many women feel more comfortable working with other women. It may be because of a past negative experience. A woman may think another woman understands what it is like to be a woman who is an entrepreneur or owns her business. A women’s business coach is becoming a sought-after service for women as well as men.

Is Hiring a Business Coach Right for My Business?

As a small business owner or entrepreneur, you may be wondering if a business coach is right for you? It may be worth investigating and at least talking with one or two business coaches to see what they would recommend. You might ask if they offer a trial period. See how a business coach could help your business and benefit you.

What is Personal Insurance?

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Homeowners Insurance

What is personal insurance? In short, personal insurance is protection for you and your family.  No one knows what the future holds. Families experience accidents, long-term illness, and property loss daily.  That is why it is important to understand and invest in personal insurance. It safeguards your family when something happens.

The list below represents three types of personal insurance.

1. Homeowners

2. Auto

3. Disability

1. Homeowners Insurance

A homeowner’s insurance policy is normally separated into three sections. Section one focuses on the land and property value that needs to be protected. Land and property represent the structure or structures that are on that property. For instance, you could own a house with a detached garage and a barn. It would be important to consider the value of all three buildings when purchasing insurance coverage.

Section two focuses on personal property that is located within those structures. What if a fire or tornado came through and struck your home today.  Would you be able to list everything that you lost? That is what personal property insurance is for. It pays to replace what you have lost. If a fire burned all three structures, your insurance may have to replace farm equipment as well as clothing and kitchen items.

Section three focuses on personal injury. If someone falls and hurts themselves on your property, you are responsible. Some insurance policies carry it as part of their package. It is important to make sure it is included.

A final note on homeowner’s insurance:  market value vs replacement cost. The market value represents the cost of what an item is currently worth.  Replacement cost represents the price you would need to pay to buy that item today. For instance, let us say I have a pc that I purchased 3 years ago for $550. A burglar comes into my home and steals it.   I turn a claim in to my insurance company. If I have replacement cost insurance, they would cut me a check for $730 because that is what it would cost for me to get a comparable computer today. If I have market value replacement insurance, I would receive a check for $150 because that is all my 3-year-old computer is worth today.  However, replacement value insurance is more expensive than market value replacement insurance.  

2. Auto Insurance

If you own a car,  you are already familiar with the fact you ought to have auto insurance. Like a homeowner insurance policy, auto insurance has two main types of coverage. They are full coverage and liability coverage. This coverage is required when you are the driver found responsible for an accident. It is also needed if an uninsured driver hits you.

Full-coverage auto insurance protects your car and you from injury in an accident. Full coverage is mandatory for anyone who owes money on their vehicle. The coverage will depend on your policy and the amount of coverage you buy. I can cover your car from anything from a tree falling on it to you hitting another car. You may also buy a replacement value policy to replace your car if it is a complete loss.  

Liability auto insurance protects anyone other than you.  It covers bodily injury and property damage. It is also mandatory in all 50 states. 

3. Disability Insurance

Disability insurance covers a part of your income if you are unable to work due to an accident or illness.  There are two types of disability insurance: short term and long term. Many employers offer either one or both called employer-sponsored plans. Some companies offer individual policies as well. Who can forget the Aflac duck?

Employer-sponsored disability insurance is a group plan that has guaranteed acceptance.  The conditions covered, the percentage of pay, who qualifies depends on the employer’s policy. Short-term disability can run up to 24 months.   The employee will need to take up to 14 days of PTO off before the short term disability benefit will kick in.   As the STD expiration date approaches, the employer will reevaluate the situation.  If the disability benefit is

Purchasing an individual short-term disability policy through an insurance carrier is not guaranteed.   They may require that you fill out a questionnaire about your health.   Purchasing long-term disability insurance requires full underwriting. They will assess your application based on your age, health, gender, the level of risk associated with your job, and any hobbies or interests that could cause disability.