Taking Steps To Minimize Memory Loss #MindBody #Prevention

Everybody forgets things at times. But as we age most of us may become aware that our memories are not quite as sharp as they once were.  We may find it happening more often that we forget where we left our car keys or those darn reading glasses, or even why we just walked into the kitchen.

It’s even more frightening these days as we have all become more aware of Alzheimer’s disease, an illness currently affecting more than 5.5 million Americans and this nation’s sixth leading cause of death.

While memory loss is often one of the first signs associated with Alzheimer’s disease, the symptoms, which can vary from person to person, can include difficulty in word-finding, vision and spatial issues and impaired reasoning and judgment. But simply having trouble recalling things at times, especially as one ages, is not necessarily an indication of this serious illness.

There are many things that can affect our memory function. Getting older is a primary one. While some memory loss is a natural part of the aging process, according to experts, other factors, we can control. A good starting point is to have a health check done.  Certain drugs can affect our memory. Cholesterol, our blood pressure and some illnesses may also impact memory.

When those issues are addressed, it’s time to take actions to help fight memory loss.  Avoiding smoking and heavy alcohol use are important ones.  Studies show smokers perform much worse than non-smokers on memory and brain skills tests.

It also helps to eat right. Studies have found that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, but low in fat and cholesterol, appear to improve brain health. Similarly, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like tuna and salmon, may help the brain. If you are not a fan of fish, try taking an omega-3 supplement.

Staying physically fit can also play a big role in improving memory. Physical exercise increases blood flow to the brain, improving brain health and function. Think of physical exercise as exercise for your brain, the benefits to outward appearance are just a bonus.

Don’t stop thinking and interacting. Reading, writing, doing puzzles, playing games and using online “brain exercise” programs appear to stimulate brain cells and the connections between the cells. Make sure you are connecting socially with others. This improves brain function and supports your mood.

Being proactive can help improve memory function, but if you still find you’re forgetting more frequently, repeating yourself in conversations, or being confused by a familiar activity, talk to your doctor and make sure it’s not a more serious problem. For more tips and tricks to keeping your brain healthy for the long haul contact RTG-Troy today. We are here to help.

-Reprinted in full or in part with attribution to the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Corner Blog.

Easing The Way Into Retirement #FreeTime #WiseCounsel

Most of us happily anticipate retirement. Even if we enjoy our jobs, it’s likely we’re looking forward to escaping workplace stresses and being able to instead have the free time to do the things we really enjoy.

But despite the fact that retirement can bring a number of positives, many people find the reality of retirement to be challenging and even frightening. Leaving that job usually brings not only financial changes, but also some very real lifestyle changes.

It usually means less contact, or totally losing touch, with those former colleagues you saw every day. You may feel like there’s less purpose in your life, and you might experience a very real loss of identity once you’re no longer being an accountant, or teacher, or whatever your occupation was.

Successful retirement certainly requires financial planning, but it also requires some planning for the lifestyle and psychological changes that will occur. And you want to do that planning prior to that retirement date.

A first step in pre-retirement planning is to look for ways to keep yourself busy and interested in retirement, rather than worrying you’ll be bored or without purpose. Starting or going back to a hobby can be one way to stay active. You can also begin investigating social or volunteer groups that will provide opportunities to keep you active and involved.

In today’s active economy you might want to consider not making retirement full-time. Many retirees find ways to continue to work part-time, whether in a paid position or as a volunteer. Schools, libraries, city governments, senior centers and civic groups are always in need of volunteers. Or you may find yourself sought out as a consultant based on your past work experience.

Continuing part-time in the workplace can add a sense of purpose and direction to your retirement years. And at least one study found that those who still work had fewer major illnesses and disabilities than those who quit working altogether.

For some retirees, a rocking chair on the back porch is fine, but for many of us there is a real need to stay active, involved and contributing. If you have retirement in your near future, or have recently retired  and are feeling unsure about what your future may offer, consider talking to a professional counselor who can assist you in understanding your feelings and desires for a successful retirement.

-Reprinted in full or in part with attribution to the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Corner Blog.

Is It Time For That Career Change? #CareerAdvice #Counseling

Current news reports seem to show that in many areas of the country the economy is performing strongly. Housing prices are up, corporate profits are increasing and unemployment rates in most places are at historic lows.

An environment like this can be a good time to evaluate your own employment situation and how satisfied you are with both where you’re working and the kind of work you’re doing. If the answers you find show you aren’t enjoying your career, this might be the time to consider a change.

While making a mid-life career change can seem frightening for most people, if the alternative is staying in your current position where you’re feeling unhappy and unsatisfied, then such a change is at least worth considering.

Start by asking yourself some questions about your current career:

–  Do you find you dread going to work each day?

–  Does Sunday afternoon leave you depressed because Monday morning and work are approaching?

–  Is your current work providing a sense of contentment or accomplishment?

–  Are there things you enjoy about your work, or do you find it difficult to be interested and motivated in your job or field of work?

–  Do you feel your abilities and experience are being underused?

If you’re answering yes to the majority of such questions, it’s a strong sign you may be ready for a career change. That doesn’t mean you should head for work tomorrow and hand in your resignation, but rather that it’s time to start researching options.

Your library or local bookstore is a good starting place. There are numerous books on career change that can help you identify your abilities, interests and values.

You may also want to consider meeting with a professional counselor specializing in career and employment guidance. Such counselors can provide resources such as interest and personality tests that can help you clarify your goals and identify possible careers. A counselor will work with you to help you narrow your focus and to develop a plan for action.

Making a major career change can seem daunting but staying in a job that leaves you unhappy and dissatisfied can lead to serious problems. Done correctly, a career change can give you a better sense of control over your life, and excitement about the opportunities in your future.

For more tips or career counseling contact RTG-TROY today. You do not have to navigate career/employment stress alone. We have tools to help. Don’t wait until you are overwhelmed, reach out, and make positive action steps. We are here to help.

-Reprinted in full or in part with attribution to the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Corner Blog.

Has The Romance Disappeared From Your Relationship? #Counseling #CouplesTherapy

To fix that problem, you might try a more organized approach for keeping the romance in a relationship, not unlike the way you probably handle your busy day at the office or managing a household. It may sound more business-like than romantic, but relationship maintenance can actually be very enjoyable.

Start with your day planner, computer calendar, or a regular old calendar. Schedule events for your relationship, just like you do meetings or appointments. Note special days beyond the usual birthday and anniversary dates. Maybe the day you first met, or the anniversary of a special vacation. Include random prompts to do something romantic at other times for no special reason.

Similarly, keep an intelligence file on your partner.  Make a list of favorite things, from wines to flowers to authors to movies.  You may be surprised to find that you don’t actually know many of his or her favorites.  Becoming familiar with things that bring him or her a smile is not only a way to stay more in tune with each other, but can make gift giving more special and meaningful.

You also want to create a regular schedule for time together. If that orthodontist or gym trainer deserves a set appointment time, why not your romantic partner? Your date night doesn’t have to be a fancy night out, just a time when the two of you can reconnect and get beyond the daily minutia that fills up so much of our lives. Setting one night every week or two weeks, and then keeping to that schedule, can do a great deal to help reenergize a relationship.

You might also try setting a regular, daily meeting time. Maybe it’s just fifteen minutes at the beginning or end of the day, but make it happen every day. Find out what your partner has been up to, what’s gone right or wrong, and what’s being planned. Planning on even a short time for communicating is an important way to stay connected with each other.

If your romantic relationship has started to feel stale and boring, realize it won’t just fix itself.  Put some thought and effort into doing things that will bring the romance back. If you need  extra help, call in a professional counselor who specialize in relationship or couples counseling. RTGTROY is here to help.  We are committed to improving your communication skills and building healthy relationships.

Giving a relationship the work and attention it deserves can pay you back with a lifetime of companionship, happiness and love.  Contact RTGTROY today for more information on how you can improve your romantic relationship.

-Reprinted in full or in part with attribution to the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Corner Blog.

Don’t Wait For Life To Come To You

Have you ever found yourself thinking that your life just has not worked out as you once planned? Many of us realize at some point that our past optimistic visions have had to surrender to reality.

Instead of feeling sorry about things that haven’t happened or didn’t work out, you might try some of these tips to get you closer to your dreams.

One starting point is put anger, blame or helplessness aside. Forget past hurts or abandonment. Unresolved anger and resentment uses up energy much better spent on building the life you desire.

Next, find your own voice. Often past relationships leave us unsure of ourselves or reluctant to express our feelings. You want to move to honest living and loving. Don’t worry that speaking up will make you appear selfish or overbearing. You don’t want to be controlling, simply honest and understood.

It also helps to learn to say “No” sometimes. Set limits and know when you’ve done enough. Avoid excessive demands on your time, talent and goodwill. Doing so creates room to say “yes” to things you really want to do, and avoids the resentment that comes with agreeing to things you really don’t want to do.

Try identifying your personal strengths and interests, and then to put time into nourishing them. Rather than trying to be someone you’re not, try enhancing who you really are.

Then take action, even if in just small steps. Make a resolution to take one daily action that moves you closer to your desires: make that initial phone call, rewrite your resume, organize your closet, clean out those old files. Too often we fail to take a first step in a new direction. Don’t wait until you feel like doing it, just begin.

This is a good time to create an overall balance in your life. If any one area of your life is consuming all or most of your time, look at small ways to make a shift. It might be work, social contacts, family demands or something else that keeps you from enjoying who you are. A healthy life means finding a balance in a variety of areas: physical, social, emotional, work/productivity, intellectual and spiritual.

A life that is too busy can easily crowd out moments of reflection which can help reconnect you with your core self and your reason for being.

For more tips on finding balance in your life contact RTGTROY today.

-Reprinted, in full or in part, with permission from the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Corner Blog.

 

Think Big, Start Small, Move Fast!

As we enter the New Year, many have set personal goals they hope to achieve.  Bahram Akradi gives excellent advice to goal-setters, “When it comes to accomplishing personal goals, everyone has his or her own style. Some like to tell the world what they’re determined to achieve; others quietly commit their plans to the pages of journals they’ll never show a soul. Me? I’ve been known to do a little of both. But I’ve always experienced the most success in following the motto ‘Think big, start small, move fast’.”

According to Mr. Akradi, Think big, invites us to develop ambitious and expansive vision for what we can accomplish.  Start small prevents us from becoming overwhelmed and allows us to get started with modest daily action that is doable building momentum. Move fast keeps us focused, allowing for continual progress, and maintains our energy and enthusiasm.

So, resolution makers, goal-setters, THINK BIG, START SMALL, AND MOVE FAST!

Make A Resolution!

Did you know, on average, just 8% of New Year’s resolutions last past February?  This year why not try something different.  Resolve to wait.  Wait to worry.  The anxiety produced by imagining trouble can cause produce tremendous stress.  Often what we fret over never comes about.  Worry is a time stealer.  Abraham Lincoln said, “People seldom, if ever, are destroyed by what happens on one particular day.  What does us in is our worry about what might happen tomorrow… And when we think of it, no crisis ever happened in the future.”  Make a resolution to wait to worry this year.