If you’re having a late-blooming midlife crisis, maybe you need time away from whatever it is you’re doing, especially if that’s sitting around feeling mildly depressed. Try something new or revisit something you used to enjoy. Give it a year – or don’t set an end date and just see how it goes.

Gap Year Concept

The adult gap year continues to gain momentum. Conde Nast Traveler just ran an article on taking off for a year to refresh mind and body. Proponents typically target about age 40 as the ideal time, but I think with today’s expanded life spans, it’s reasonable to take a break around the 60-year mark.

Gap-year articles tell you to plan ahead with all the financials and other details, but I think at our age we don’t need much of a plan. When I embarked on my gap year, I had no idea that’s what it was.

As the last drop of business dried up, I thought my career was over. I’d had a good run – nearly 40 years of freelance writing for the professional beauty industry. I was at the age of retirement anyway, so this should have seemed like the natural ending to a life’s work.

Feeling Unhappy

I didn’t see it that way. I was sad and felt old and irrelevant in today’s busy world. I missed the money. I’m not the greatest traveler and wasn’t going to liquidate savings in order to tour the world. Sure, I could spend more time with grandchildren, but they were 1,000 miles away, so even that would be challenging.

My career is more of a compulsion than a profession. Writers write. Whether we’re getting paid or not, whether we’re in the mood or not, we write. On top of that, I’m a serial entrepreneur with business concepts popping, uninvited, into my head.

Full of Wonderful Ideas

One of my businesses, Write My Memoirs, was still providing some editing and coaching work, but not enough, and not at nearly a high enough pay rate, to make up for even a fraction of the business I’d lost.

I went down my mental list of projects I hadn’t had time to tackle. Unlike the typical bucket list of fun things to do before you die, my bucket list contained all the things I still needed to accomplish before I could rest easy.

So I didn’t step away from the computer. I still had plenty to write about, a bit of memoir editing, and the bucket list of back-burner projects.

Seeking validation to regain confidence, I started sending out pieces to online sites that accepted worthy observations, and I had enough success to calm my self-doubts. In fact, that’s when I started writing for Sixty and Me.

Next up was the grammar course I’d been wanting to adapt from the in-person classroom format I used to teach to an updated, digital version that I hoped would earn me some of that “passive income” I kept hearing about. Developing this course made me excited to wake up every morning and get to my desk.

Then a friend expressed interest in partnering on a nearly forgotten business idea I’d had years ago. Accountability to a business partner was exactly what I needed to stay motivated and get that going. I also explored online sales platforms to revive a greeting card company I’d launched in the 1970s. Retro is back, right?

Shifting Focus

It turned out that the ebb and flow of my beauty writing work had just ebbed for longer than usual, and after about a year, just before the pandemic hit, my phone began ringing again. I am grateful. But I’ll never be sorry that I had that year to focus on professional projects that I probably would not have pursued in true retirement.

I may be out of the ordinary in wanting to fill a work void with more work, but I think we all have something to which we would like to be able to give undivided attention. What is it for you? If you can stop what you’re doing to attend to it, I heartily recommend that you do.

Have you considered a gap year? Do you think it will help you get a better idea of how you want to spend your life post-work? What would you focus on while you’re in the gap? Do you have any projects that you started way back when and would like to revive? Please share your thoughts with the community!

The pollen season is getting longer, and pollen concentrations are increasing according to a report from the National Academy of Sciences (USA). The researchers go on to say that is linked to climate change:

“Our results indicate that human-caused climate change has already worsened North American pollen seasons, and climate-driven pollen trends are likely to further exacerbate respiratory health impacts in coming decades.”

If you already have hay fever, this research indicates it could get worse. It also suggests more people could start to suffer. It’s yet another reason we need to address climate change as a matter of priority.

I used to dread the hay fever season. If possible, I would sit in a darkened room with a large box of tissues, feeling exhausted from the continuous sneezing. My eyes would run and itch. The roof of my mouth would drive me mad with its itchiness.

My breathing would become laboured. When I was with other people, they’d often be amused by how much I sneezed, not realising how distressing and exhausting it is.

I was fortunate to find solutions, so that now I hardly suffer at all. (More about that in a minute.)

Do You Get Hay Fever in the Spring Without Realising?

People often associate hay fever with the summer or early autumn, but some people get hay fever in spring when trees and some shrubs start to bloom. I used to know when the gorse came into flower half a mile from where I lived, because I would get a runny nose. This happened, even though I hadn’t seen that the gorse had come into flower.

Of course, this is one of the many reasons we should use the term allergic rhinitis rather than hay fever. Many people are not allergic to hay at all.

Do You Get Hay Fever in the Summer Without Realising?

Many people talk about having “a summer cold,” when actually they are suffering from allergic rhinitis. You can tell if that’s true by asking yourself how long you have had the cold. “Colds” that go on for weeks are probably not summer colds but allergic rhinitis.

When Isn’t It a Grass/Pollen Allergy?

Some people think they’re allergic to pollen or grass because they sneeze or get a runny nose when cutting grass. Often this is not a pollen allergy. The grass is cut when it is short and before it has had a chance to flower, so there’s hardly any pollen around. It could be pollen protein from the cut stems, but it’s possibly more likely to be a mould allergy.

Mould grows in many lawns at the base of the grass where it’s humid. Cutting the grass throws many mould spores into the air, causing a problem for people who are sensitive to moulds.

How Does the Weather Affect the Pollen Count?

The amount of pollen in the air is closely related to the weather. Pollen counts are low on cold rainy days and high on hot dry days. Thunderstorms tend to concentrate pollen particles in a narrow band of air close to ground level. There is also a significant increase in mould spores in the air.

Prevailing winds will also affect the concentration of pollens in an area. Highest pollen counts occur in morning and late afternoon in the plants’ immediate vicinity, but the wind may carry it away to another area.

Which Flowers Cause a Problem?

People often assume that an allergic reaction to flowers usually involves roses and similar plants with large flowers. This is unusual except in keen gardeners and florists. The flowers are large in order to attract pollinating insects that then carry the sticky pollen to another flower.

This means that very little of this pollen is in the air. Smaller flowers tend to be pollinated by the wind. Pollen from these nondescript plants can travel long distances on the air currents and are most likely to be a problem.

Why Is Allergic Rhinitis Worse in Cities?

It doesn’t seem to make sense that allergic rhinitis is more prevalent in cities than in the countryside. The greater level of diesel fumes is to blame, at least in part. The chemicals in diesel fumes are known to damage the outer membranes of pollens.

This means that when the pollen is breathed in, the pollen proteins are immediately in much closer contact with the delicate membranes in the mouth, nose and lungs than they would be if the pollen had not been damaged in this way.

General high levels of pollution in cities also give the body less resources to combat pollen allergies. Electric cars, anyone?

What Can You Do About Allergic Rhinitis?

There are many drug solutions on offer, but many of these have side effects.

There are other ways of dealing with this which work more with the body rather than trying to suppress symptoms.

Dealing with Stress

One of the most important approaches is to look at all the stresses that are on your body. If you eat poorly or don’t get enough sleep, your body already has a load to cope with, so has fewer resources to deal with a potential pollen allergy.

Good Diet Helps

Try adding more fruit and vegetables to your diet. Reduce your intake of fast food. Add legumes (beans and peas). These feed the good bacteria in your gut, supporting your immune system and your digestive health. There will be many benefits other than just reducing your allergy symptoms.

Probiotics have also been found to be helpful for hay fever. Probiotics are more commonly associated with digestive problems, but research has shown that probiotics help to strengthen the immune system and so can be very beneficial for hay fever sufferers. Probiotic drinks are sold with a lot of hype. Better to buy a high-quality probiotic supplement.

If you are particularly sensitive to grasses, reduce your intake of food grains. I found that drastically reducing my intake of wheat led to a surprisingly big reduction in my hay fever symptoms. Some people find the same by reducing their intake of dairy products.

Don’t Forget Sleep

You know sleep is important, but what do you do about it? All the sleep experts are agreed: getting a good night’s sleep starts early in the day. Try to spend some time outside around midday to help your biological clock.

Wind down your activities and dim your lights an hour or so before you sleep. Do a gratitude journal before you sleep. Another strategy which will have lots of other benefits than just reducing your sneezing and discomfort.

Other Options

You can also try complementary therapies. I personally found homeopathic desensitisation and health kinesiology particularly useful. I also started to eat more healthily, which, of course, gave me lots of other benefits too. Find a therapist who specialises or has lots of experience treating allergy sufferers.

Most importantly don’t just assume nothing can be done to make your allergic rhinitis less of a problem in your life.

Do you suffer from allergic rhinitis? How do you deal with it? Have you been told nothing can be done about it? How often and in which seasons does it get worse? Please share with the community!

James Read knows a thing or two about self-tanning. He’s worked on Tom Ford, Burberry and Sophia Webster campaigns, as well as with celebrities including Rosie Huntingdon Whitely, Ellie Goulding and Mariah Carey. It made sense for the spray tan artist to launch his own line, the James Read self-tan collection, back in 2012 with his patented “Tantone Technology.” Now, he’s rolling out an all-new face serum and mousse just in time for bathing suit weather.

There are two major things that make James Read’s line stand out from others. One is the customizable option. Whether you’re applying the Glow 20 Facial Tanning Serum or Glow 20 Mousse, each allows you to decide if you want a subtle glow or a just-got-back-from-Miami tan. Here’s how it works. Keep the product on for 20 minutes and you’ll see a light bronze develop. Want to stop there? Wash it off with water. For darker color, leave it on for 60 or 90 minutes, or even overnight.

We also love how these self-tanners are basically skincare and bronzer in one. That’s thanks to the addition of encapsulated vitamin C to help brighten skin, hyaluronic acid for hydration and aloe vera to soothe the skin. Oh, and it smells great. Is that three things? All the newbies are out now (plus even more faves!) so shop ’em below before you get that pool party invite.

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. QVC is a STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

James Read.

James Read 20 Minute Self-Tan Collection

Get both new products, the Glow 20 Facial Tanning Serum and Glow 20 Mousse, as well as a mitt to keep your hands clean.

James Read.

James Read Ultimate Glow Tan Click & Glow Duo

Add this formula right into your current moisturizer or foundation for an easy-to-use gradual tan.

James Read.

James Read Self Tanning Face & Body H2O Drops Duo

This two-piece set includes formulas for use on your body and face. Simply drop three to four drops into your usual moisturizer for a gorgeous summer glow.

James Read.

James Read Face and Body Coconut Tanning Mist with Mitt

These Coconut Water Mists help you achieve a buildable glow while smelling like a summer vacay.

Close your eyes and try to remember a time when your freshly washed curls dried into frizz-free perfection. Drawing a blank? Yup, us too, and after resisting way too many urges to rip every strand of hair out of our heads, we’re ready for some real solutions, and that begins with finding the best shampoos for curly hair. 

If we had a nickel for every time we’ve heard that curly hair needs moisture, we could buy a small yacht and sail to a land where frizz doesn’t exist (though, the ocean mist will probably make our hair frizzy). With summer’s intense humidity and harsh, moisture-stripping products, our heads have slowly become a magnet for unruly flyaways.

And with an insane number of shampoos (all claiming to combat frizz) on the market right now, it’s difficult to find the formulas that leave you with touchable, bouncy curls — instead of a poofy nightmare. And lest we leave you to test and try every formula yourself, we combed through every single curly-hair-friendly shampoo to find the seven best products that truly keep frizz at bay.

These shampoos contain ingredients like smoothing coconut oil and protective argan oil among others for insanely moisturized curls. Shop them all below, and prepare for the feather-soft curls you’ve only dreamed of.  

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. CVS is a STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Courtesy of Shea Moisture.

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl and Shine Shampoo

This curl-enhancing shampoo is infused with a slew of hydrating and frizz-controlling ingredients, including a blend of silk proteins and moisture-balancing coconut and neem oils. The gentle formula cleanses without stripping away natural oils or over-drying split ends, restoring volume and shine for the optimum bounce factor. This affordable shampoo is free of sulfates and parabens (so it’s safe for color-treated hair) and is cruelty-free. Best of all, CVS is currently running a Women’s Wellness Week promo, which will give you an extra $10 in Extra Bucks when you spend $30 on select products, which means you can stock up on a second bottle (almost) on the house.

Courtesy of OGX.

OGX Coconut Fine Curls Shampoo

This coconut-water-infused shampoo is formulated specifically for girls with curly locks, and works to help retain bounce, shine, and proper moisture levels while also preventing damage, breakage, and split ends. The gentle formula cleanses without stripping hydration or causing frizz.

Buy: OGX Coconut Curl Shampoo $6.97

Courtesy of Davines.

Davines Love Curl Shampoo

This premium curl and wave-enhancing shampoo helps to add definition and volume to texture hair, while gently washing away dirt, excess oil, and product buildup. This foaming shampoo contains nourishing almond oil extract to retain moisture and vitamin E to help promote healthy hair structure and shine.

Buy: Davines Love Curl Shampoo $29

Courtesy of DevaCurl.

DevaCurl Original No-Poo Shampoo

This curl enhancing (and taming) shampoo is formulated specifically for curly, wavy, and texture hair. The bounce-defining and softening formula is infused with hair-healthy ingredients to help maintain proper moisture levels, shine, and structure without stripping the strands from natural oils. As a bonus, this paraben and sulfate-free shampoo also has an invigorating peppermint and Turkish rose scent.

Buy: DevaCurl No-Poo Cleanser $25.42

Courtesy of Maui Moisture.

Maui Moisture Curl Quench Shampoo

This ultra-hydrating and hair-strengthening shampoo helps to lock in hydration for all-day, frizz-free locks while also gently cleansing the scalp. It’s enriched with moisturizing coconut oil, which also helps to tame unruly strands, aloe vera to soften tight curls and maintain body, and papaya extract to help promote balanced protein levels. This formula is also sulfate and paraben-free, so it’s safe to use on chemically and color-treated hair.

Buy: Maui Moisture Curl Quench Shampoo $6.92

Courtesy of L’Oreal.

L’Oreal Ever Curl Shampoo & Conditioner Set

This two-in-one curl-defining and hydrating shampoo and conditioner kit contains frizz-eliminating and shine-enhancing coconut oils and is free of color-stripping ingredients like sulfate and harsh dyes to help protect hair from dryness, damage, and breakage. Best of all, this complete hair care system helps your strands stay moisturized for up to forty-eight hours without compromising volume and body.

Buy: L’Oreal Ever Curl Shampoo & Conditioner Set $13

Courtesy of Carol’s Daughter.

Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Shampoo

Free of parabens, harsh artificial colors, and sulfates, this curl quenching shampoo serves parched curls a serious serving of moisture without weighing down your hair. It contains a slew of hydrating and frizz-reducing ingredients including coconut oil, Murumuru Butter, and mango oil to help smooth and soften without leaving behind a greasy residue.

Buy: Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Shampoo $10.97

Is it activity that keeps us young, or is it something else? Personally, I don’t believe it’s physical activity that keeps us young. There are some days when it can make us feel much older. You know what I mean; those days when everything aches, especially your knees!

But I do believe, most strongly, that keeping our brains active and running on all cylinders, keeps us away from the stereotype of the lazy old lady.

We All Know the Power of the Mind

We can create whatever we choose by changing the way we think, our mindset, our language and our attitude.

We can change the way we speak about others and ourselves. In fact, being careful with our language when we talk about ourselves is crucial.

Listen to what you say about yourself and when you recognise it as negative, start reframing.

Stocktake

If you constantly use the “I’m not enough” talk… I’m too fat, I’m too old, I’m not smart, I had no education, I don’t look as good as all my friends… STOP. This is your low self-esteem talking and you need to pull it up by the bootstraps.

Take a look at my Stocktake page which provides a flow chart on where to begin and where to go.

If We Are Intent on Becoming Old, That’s What Will Happen!

It’s a process which involves:

• Closing your mind
• Acceptance of how things are
• Dressing like your own granny
• Refusing to look at anything new
• Refusing to admit that this is not what you had in mind for ageing

Change in our mental ability is expected and accepted as we age, but it doesn’t necessarily mean deterioration.

Take Control of Your Mind, Not Just Your Body

If you exercise regularly, be it dancing, walking, weightlifting, running marathons, whatever, well done of you. Keeping physically active helps your brain to keep ticking over.

I think we all know that a healthy body is a healthy mind, and we must all mentally stimulate ourselves to stay sharp and alert.

There are plenty of things you can find to do here on Sixty and Me. Plus a few other things which you may not have added to your repertoire. Yet.

How about trying one or more of these?

• Enjoy a daily puzzle or crossword. Did you know there are six common types of crosswords?
• Choose mental arithmetic rather than using the calculator. Use your fingers if needed.
• Read more. Go to the library and become friends with the Librarian or join an online (or local, pandemic permitting) book club. Or even start a book club with your circle of friends!
• Stretch your mind further with bridge or chess or computer games. Lumosity is a favourite!
• Socialise – join a local choir or gardening club.
• Start a course, or a day, evening or online class.
• Go out more, especially to theatres and galleries.
• Go back to work or start a new job.
• Volunteer
• Exercise for half an hour at least three times a week or take up speed walking. With weights!

Several years ago, I wrote a book called 25 Ways to a Happier, Healthier You and everything within the book is not only a plus for your physical health but is geared to expanding your mind.

One of the effects of the pandemic has been a general lack of socialisation; especially for the elderly. But we all know that social contact helps memory and concentration, so new people or even the old people, are good to be around.

Of course, much of this is tricksy if you’re still isolated. But it can be done. So determine that you will take control of your mind and never become a lazy old lady.

Have you turned into a lazy old lady? Why do you think that is? What can you do to move away from that stereotype? Please join the conversation!