I’m typically
a cheerful person. Unfortunately, I’ve been humbled by a front row seat to life
getting in my way.

Within the
last two years, my husband and I suffered a home burglary so violating that we
packed up and moved to a new city to start a new life.

A close
family member was diagnosed with dementia, creating new part time jobs for my
sister and me as we manage from states away.

Last
December, my husband of 32 years had a mini stroke that required 36 hours in
intensive care, during which I worried about what life would be like if I would
be lucky enough to bring him home.

He’s fine
now, and I am so grateful. What a wake-up call.

We Like to Focus on Happy Experiences

What
starts out as an ordinary day can sometimes go very wrong and change our life
forever in an instant.

That’s why
most of us are happy to be in smooth sailing mode. We live our lives, tend to
jobs and businesses, and plan for the wedding, baby shower, or graduation.

We create
dream boards to illustrate our big goals with images from magazines that show
vacations to exotic destinations, beautiful homes, and sporty new cars. The
focus on happy experiences, material possessions, valuable assets is fun to
talk about.

It’s not
so fun to talk about what could go wrong.

Life Gets in the Way

The U.S.
Department of Labor reports that only the top 6% of wage earners will achieve a
six-figure income at their jobs.

Cautionary statistics are also true for those who start businesses. The Small Business Administration states that 30% of new businesses fail during the first two years. Only 25% make it to 15 years or more.

Why is
that? Many reasons, mostly focused on absence of capital, lack of know-how, creating
the wrong solutions, and changing trends.

Here’s the
piece that also stops many in their tracks: Life got in the way in the form of
disease, divorce, disability, disaster, or death. In the United States, there are:

• 365,000 serious fires per year;
• 9 million identity thefts; and
• 2 million car accidents resulting in permanent
  disability.

That means
that some big dreamers are sidelined to tend to life as it happens. They are
likely unprepared for the fall out.

Dreaming Big but Skipping Preparation

Why are we
so quick to dream the big dreams and so reluctant to take steps to protect them?

Fear,
denial, procrastination, not knowing what steps to take or when, and overwhelm
are excuses that come up again and again.

Here are five
actions to take today to get your act together and feel more empowered before
something random or crazy can stop you.

Claim Utilities

Put the
names of all adults in the household on the utility statements for the next
billing cycle so all can call for help when the power goes out or worse.

Keep Beneficiary Designations Up to Date

Check your
beneficiary designations often and make sure they’re current to avoid an
inheritance denial due to administrative error.

Keep Records of Your Valuables

Take
pictures and assemble receipts and appraisals for jewelry and other valuables
before being victim to a burglary.

Entrust Phone PIN to a Reliable Party

Share your
phone login information with your partner or best friend so they can access
personal contacts just in case they need to share important news quickly with
people who have a need to know.

Secure Your Documents and Valuables

Set up a document
storage box for social security cards, passports, birth certificates, marriage
licenses, property or vehicle titles, and wills, and rent a safe deposit box
for valuables best left stored in a secure location.

Having
this information and other crucial documents where you can easily find them
will save you time and grief when life takes a turn by surprise, while making the
journey ahead a bit softer and gentler for those who need to drive life forward
in case you can’t.

Coming
back to big dreams for the future, you might be wondering, what is on my dream
board?

No More Drama

When you’re
in a drama-free zone – the kids and
parents are alright, jobs and health are good, your dreams are clear, along
with the path to make them come true – that’s
the time to do one more thing to ensure the success you’ve worked so hard to
achieve up until now.

Dream with
your eyes wide open and:

• Compile, save, update, and share your personal
  financial information and crucial documents with the people in your life who
  have a need to know.
• Ignite conversations with your loved ones to understand
  your wishes, just in case life doesn’t unfold in a neat and tidy fashion where
  every box gets checked in perfect order.
• Get on with the rest of your life to achieve
  your big dreams with the comfort that you’ll never leave a legacy of chaos to clean
  up later because you got your act together long before something random could stop
  you.

What
action will you take to get your act together today? What do you wish you had
done before life got in your way? What advice can you give to those who haven’t
thought forward yet? Let’s start a conversation.

Even though boomers are known for setting trends, I’m a
little embarrassed to admit that I hadn’t heard about pickleball, which
arguably has become the hottest sports trend with the over-60 crowd.

“Picklers,” as they like to call themselves, are passionate
about the sport, and many swear that it has changed their lives for the better.

After learning more about pickleball and its benefits, I
can tell you that I am ready to join the ranks of the more than 3.3 million
“picklers,” the overwhelming majority of whom are over 55, in the United
States.

So what exactly is this sport that, according to the U.S.A.
Pickleball Association, is played in all
50 states and has seen an almost 10 percent
growth in players over the past three years?

The Essence of Pickleball

Most people describe pickleball as a cross between tennis,
badminton, and ping pong with some elements of paddle tennis and racquetball
thrown in for good measure.

Much as with other racquet sports, the idea is to hit a
small, light plastic ball (similar to the familiar wiffle ball) across a net in
a way that your opponent will not be able to volley it back to you. Scoring is
similar to tennis.

The game is played either indoors or outdoors on a court
the size of a badminton court, which is perfect if you have limited motion or
joint problems since you don’t need to run as much or as far.

It can be played one-on-one (singles) or two-on-two
(doubles). The latter is especially popular among boomers for its inherent
social aspects as well as the reduced need for chasing after a shot.

And, while it definitely gives you a good workout, it
doesn’t require the same level of physical conditioning or athleticism as
tennis, golf, skiing, or other sports demand.

Pickleball also is not as expensive as other sports. A good
racquet costs between $50 and $150 and, should a player wish to join, a
year-long membership to the U.S.A. Pickleball Association is $20 a year, which
includes a variety of benefits.

Many locations, such as retirement communities, local
sports parks and sporting clubs offer pickleball courts, many for use with no
charge or a minimal fee. As of last count, there were over 15,000 courts in the U.S.

And, in case you’re wondering about where the game and its
quirky name came from, it was invented 55 years ago near Seattle by a group of
dads who were looking for something to keep their kids entertained during
summer vacation.

As far as the name, one story is that one dad’s family dog
would chase the ball when the kids were playing. And, you guessed it, his name
was Pickles.

Another version of the story is that the game’s combination
of elements from other sports reminded one of the dad’s wives of the pickle
boat in crew. Whichever version is true (perhaps both are), the name
“pickleball” stuck.

Pickleball Benefits for Boomers

In addition to being a lot of fun to play, pickleball
offers us boomers a combination of health, social, and emotional benefits that
are hard to find anywhere else. These include:

Higher Level of Muscle Activity

Increased muscle strength and
muscle tone are a given since you are running
and carrying your body weight around the court.

Stress Management

Since playing pickleball helps release endorphins, which
are the “feel good” chemicals in your brain, and adds a social element to your
day, it has great stress reduction benefits.

Improved Cardiovascular Health

Better cardiovascular health is a
nice benefit which can help reduce your blood
pressure as well as the risk of stroke and heart attack.

To point out, a
recent study in the International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology found
middle-aged and older adults who played one hour of pickleball three days per
week for six weeks improved their blood pressure, cholesterol, and
cardiorespiratory fitness levels.

Weight Management

When you play pickleball you are burning around 40 percent
more calories than you would by just walking. In fact, research indicates that
a 150-pound person can burn 250 calories playing pickleball with only 30
minutes of casual play.

Better Cognitive Function

Pickleball protects cognitive
function, since you are communicating with
your partner in doubles, thinking through game strategies and giving your
reflexes a real workout.

Building Social Engagement

Social connections counter the isolation many boomers face and help prevent
depression, low self-esteem, and loss of independence. In fact, a
study done by Leisure Studies found that boomers who played in pickleball tournaments
had a lower risk of depression.

Pure Enjoyment

When an exercise activity is fun,
it’s easier to commit to, which can help you to
better achieve your fitness goals. This is very important since only about 20
percent of adults get the recommended amount of physical activity they should
be getting.

Good Balance

Many sports increase your
balance, and better balance can help reduce
your risk of falls as well as improve your overall agility and range of
movement.

Help with Parkinson’s

Pickleball can help you manage
Parkinson’s symptoms as it combines hand and
eye coordination that is considered excellent therapy for those suffering from this
disease. This is not surprising since exercise is usually a key part of
Parkinson’s symptom management.

Mixing Generations

Another benefit of pickleball is that it’s a great game to
play with your kids and grandkids. One “pickler” reported seeing boomers
teaching the sport to younger family members. Others have reported local kids
walking by a court, seeing the game, asking about it, and then even joining in.

Getting the Most out of Pickleball

Like any other physical activity, before taking to the
pickleball court, you should first check with your doctor to make sure you can
engage in this level of physical activity.

Once you have the go-ahead, you should also make sure that
you are taking the right steps to reduce any potential injury as well as make
sure your body is getting the right nutritional “fuel” to maximize both your
enjoyment of playing pickleball and its benefits.

Invest in Protective Equipment

The first thing to do is make sure you have supportive
shoes to help protect against twisting your ankle or knee as well as
stabilizers/supports if needed for your knees, wrist, or forearm. You can find
both at any sporting goods store.

Do Warm-Ups

You also need to remember to always, always warm-up before
playing pickleball – or any other sport for that matter. This, along with
stretching and cooling down after your play, will go far in helping you avoid
any injuries.

Don’t Forget Nutrition

As with almost every aspect of our
health and physical performance, making sure our bodies are getting the
nutrients they need (and when they need them) is important for all “picklers,”
whether you’re new to the game or have been playing for a while.

Most experts agree that you will want to make sure to have
some carbohydrates an hour or so before you play. You don’t want to overdo it,
so consider something simple such as a few banana slices with some oatmeal,
some cereal (no sugar added, of course), a fruit-and-protein smoothie or some
nuts.

Water Is a Must

The most important thing to
consume while you’re on the court is water. I can’t tell you how important it
is to stay hydrated in general and especially when we’re playing sports or
doing exercise.

And, when you’re done, make sure to replenish the nutrients
and water you lost while playing. I personally like to have some fresh fruit
and nuts after I hike or play any sport with a large water chaser!

Have you or do you now play pickleball? How did you get started? If you
play, what health or other benefits have you noticed? What advice would you
give your fellow boomers who may be considering it? Please join the
conversation.

It used to be that only specialty beauty stores sold the kinds of products that got us excited to try—the Sephoras, Ultas and Sally Beautys of the world. But not anymore. Take a look at Urban Outfitters’ new beauty products, for example. The retailer is killing it in the beauty space, stocking innovative new products from brands that have us seriously stoked for what’s coming next.

It’s not just makeup and skincare, though there are some really great products from those categories. Urban Outfitters is expanding all its wellness offerings, including plant-based snacks, hair and skin tools and even sex toys. We’re talking a 360 approach to beauty and happiness here. Prices vary wildly, which means there’s really something for everyone starting at $5. Shop K-beauty favorites, CBD skincare, acne patches, press-on nails and more.

If you’re worried about missing out on those Sephora rewards points, Urban Outfitters does have a rewards program and if you shop as much as I do, you’ll score some $5 off coupons on the app. Of course, you’re still going to shop at Sephora and Ulta. But check out some of UO’s newest products, below. You might be surprised by what you find.

Image: Urban Outfitters.

Derma E Vitamin C Gentle Daily Cleansing Paste

This affordable vegan and cruelty-free skincare brand is a dermatologist favorite for good reason. This cleanser uses ancient rice and calming turmeric to cleanse and even your skin tone, gently exfoliating dead skin cells.

Image: Urban Outfitters.

Alleyoop Stack The Odds Multiuse Face Set

One of the buzziest new beauty brands, Alleyoop was founded by women to make self-care products and cosmetics easy and fun to use. This cream blush, contour and highlight set comes in a twistable compact with a mini mirror making it totally portable.

Image: Color Club.

Color Club Neon Jellies Press-On Nail Kit

Get the jelly nail trend for way less with these fun press-ons.

Image: Pretty Frank.

Pretty Frank Pit Primer Soothing Armpit Primer

Sensitive pits? Same. Soothe redness and irritation from shaving with this balm that contains chamomile and argan oil.

Image: Blunt Skincare.

Blunt Skincare Isolate Pure CBD Balancing Face Oil

This cannabis skincare company was founded by a Los Angeles-based chemist who wants to educate skincare enthusiasts on what the plant can do for your skin. This pure CBD isolate serum contains rosehip, black cumin and blue tansy extract to help soothe and balance irritation-prone skin.

Image: Unbound.

Unbound Saucy

This saucer-shaped vibrator gets more intense as you squeeze.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.