Ever think about how much time you spend sitting each and every day? Right now, as I am on yet another airplane flying to yet another consulting gig, I am trapped in my seat, belted in for the three-hour flight, like it or not.

Well, OK, I took one trip to the restroom, but that’s it. And before that, I spent an hour sitting in the waiting area; before that, another hour and a half driving to the airport – you get the gist.

Most of us spend much of our day sitting: at computers, in cars or buses, at desks or workstations. And most of us come home at the end of the day, wanting nothing more than to veg in front of Netflix, Amazon, the TV or with a good book.

Even if we’ve been home all day, we still tend to flop on the couch at the end of the day.

Want to Stay Healthy After 60? Stop the Sitting

Yet all that sitting is most definitely not good for us. Especially not good for our happy healthy longevity. Studies have shown that chronic sitting, in and of itself, is a highly significant risk factor for ill health and early death.

Among the studies, a 2012 metanalysis reviewed the findings of 18 studies with a total of 794,577 participants. It found that people who sat for the longest periods of time on a daily basis were twice as likely to have diabetes or heart disease, compared to those who sat for the least amount of time.

Another study found that those who sat more than eight hours a day raised their risk of Type 2 diabetes by an astonishing 90 percent!

No, this is not yet another call to “Exercise!” Although exercise certainly benefits our well-being and long-term health. This is simply a reminder to stand up and move! For every hour you sit, stand up for at least 5 – 10 minutes, and walk around if possible.

Walking is a fantastic way of engaging your cardiovascular system. It helps get your blood flowing throughout your body and puts your muscular and cellular systems – that process your blood sugar, triglycerides and cholesterol – in gear, which are critical to keeping your insulin levels healthy.

Benefits of Moving More

Research undertaken by Oslo University Hospital studied a group of some 5,700 older men over a period of 12 years. The study showed that even those who only did some light walking 30 minutes a day, six days a week, reduced their risk of death by about 40 percent. That’s huge!

If you think about it, 30 minutes a day is not that big a deal. Don’t assume walking only means “walking around the block,” though.

Instead, think of it as the walking you do from one room to the next as you prepare meals, do the laundry, walk the dog, chase the grandchildren around the house or spend some of your lunch hour walking the halls, around a patio or wherever else your fancy takes you.

How much walking per day do you think Monica Bulman, age 83, does as a nurse at the Torbay Hospital in South Devon, UK? Up and down and all around with patient care for the past 64+ years, Monica’s sitting is rarely more than a few moments to input a patient’s chart notes into the computer.

Adding that to the grandchildren she plays with when not on duty, Monica is up on her feet and moving most of the time. All that walking is terrific for her health, which combined with her love of her job, makes for one happy woman. She has no plans to retire.

So get up! Stand up! Move around! Give your body a break. Your heart will thank you, your overall well-being will improve, and with that, your happiness quotient will definitely be on the rise.

Do you count your steps each day with your phone or a fitness tracker? How many steps do you average a day? What specific health benefits have you enjoyed because you increased your amount of walking? What benefits or advantages do you think walking can give you health-wise that other types of exercise can’t? Please share your walking routine in the comments below!

Shoulders are having their day in the fashion world right now. If you’ve been shopping recently, I’m sure you’ve seen many off the shoulder shirts and dresses. Let’s talk about how this trend relates to summer fashion for women over 60.

As this may not be the easiest style to wear for most of us, there is another option that fits the bill. Open shoulder shirts, sometimes referred to as cold shoulder shirts, are a wonderful blouse for women of any age.

Of course, you’ve probably been seeing these types of shirts on the younger girls, but I came to the conclusion that this is truly an ageless fashion item.

What Are Open Shoulder Shirts?

Open shoulder shirts have a cut-out along the top portion of the shoulder. It is not a full “off the shoulder” style, but almost like it. It’s also more than a tank top because there is a sleeve portion to these blouses.

What Variations and Styles Are Available?

There is a large variety of materials used for these open shoulder shirts. The most popular right now is the knit type which is basically a T-shirt. However, I’ve seen them in sweater material, a silky polyester and even rayon and spandex version.

Of course, you can find these in any color solids or prints. I’ve seen the open shoulder shirts designed to look like your ordinary button down blouse and some even have lace, ruffles or many other types of embellishments.

Like any shirts and blouses, there are a multitude of lengths available. This means you could get a long one and consider it a tunic. There are styles that have the hi-lo hem, which means the front hem of the shirt is shorter than the back hem.

If you’re thinking of wearing this style shirt with your normal pants and jeans, I would suggest that the front hem be no longer than the crotch area.

Another option to consider with these shirts is the width of the straps. For the majority of us, the inch wide band or larger will be the most functional, since we can hide our bra straps under it.

How Does the Open Shoulder Shirt Feel?

The first time you encounter this type of shirt you may think “this is for the younger kids.” In my opinion, this is only because the stores and advertisements have shown them on the younger than 60 age group. We definitely need more older models, but, that’s another article!

In any case, I would ask that you be open to this new style and try it before you rule it out.

One of the reasons I’m so sure that this look can be great for us older females is because I bought one for my mother. My mom is in her late 70s and she thought that I was being ridiculous. As soon as she wore it, she loved it. She is the modeling the olive green shirt!

The first time I wore my open shoulder shirt, I was surprised at how nice it was to have my shoulders exposed. I rarely wear strapless dresses or shirts, so this was an unexpected positive feeling for me. It reminded me that an exposed shoulder could be a little sexy!

Why Do I Love This Look?

I know I’ve said it before, but let me say it again.

I think it behooves us to look modern and contemporary. I do not believe every trend that comes along is great for us older women, but I do consider this open shoulder shirt to be superb for any age! It certainly adds pizzazz to your ordinary t-shirt!

Are you still hesitant that this is right for you? Then let’s examine the pros and cons of wearing an open shoulder shirt.

Pros of the Open Shoulder Shirt

The absolute best reason that 60+ women can wear this style is the fact that you can still wear your supportive bra with these shirts.

As any woman knows, the foundation of a building may not be visible, but it’s the most important component for the building to be secure. It is no different with our undergarments. So any shirt or dress that you put on, will look 100% better with a proper fitting brassiere. And, the fact, that you can still wear your bra with this shirt, makes the shirt quite functional in my thinking.

The next benefit is many 60+ women are ashamed and embarrassed by the under portion of their upper arms. They constantly feel the need to cover their upper arms so the underarm skin is not exposed.

While I believe in body love and wish we could embrace all of the changes that our bodies go through with contentment, I understand that this will not be the case for everyone. Thus, these open shoulder shirts will cover the portion that many older women do not like, yet leave the shoulders bare. And, since the shoulder area still looks fabulous at every age, most of us should feel comfortable showing them off.

This shirt is a perfect way to keep cooler in the warmer weather. A little shoulder exposure feels great when a breeze comes along! It also seems more summery than being completly covered up.

It’s a perfect look to transition from modest to sexy. One can easily cover the shoulders with a cardigan or jacket for the reserved occasion and then remove it to be more lively. You wouldn’t even know it wasn’t a normal blouse.

Cons of the Open Shoulder Shirt

Since most of us don’t usually go bare shouldered, it is important to remember you will need sunscreen on this body part when you wear this type of shirt.

As I stated in one of the pros about this shirt – it does keep you cooler. I was amazed that I was downright cold at times, just because my shoulders were exposed!

Some of the placement of the straps of this shirt do not coincide with your bra straps perfectly. If you find this to be the case, you could sew a bra strap holder to the underneath side of the shirt bands.

Do It Yourself Opportunity

Do you want to try this out before you invest any money into another shirt? You could certainly take an old or thrifted shirt and cut out the shoulders with scissors. Of course, unless you are a sewer, the seams will be unfinished, but you could certainly wear it around the house to see if you’d like it!

Do you own an open shoulder shirt? Do you like wearing it? How would you describe your summer look? What do you think is the essence of summer fashion for women over 60? Please join the conversation.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

There’s an entire universe of skincare on Amazon, and it’s so vast that it would take light years to go through every product. Even if you filter results to show only the things you’re looking for, it would still take a lot of patience. If you’re on the hunt to find the best vitamin C serum for your skin, let us guide you in the right direction. TruSkin’s Vitamin C Serum needs to be at the top of your list—it has over 69,000 five-star reviews and is on sale now for just $20 ahead of Prime Day.

This shopper-loved vitamin C serum improves wrinkles, dullness and uneven skin tone. And thanks to the serum’s formula, shoppers actually see results. Aside from being packed with antioxidants, this vitamin C serum incorporates jojoba oil to soothe the skin and adds an extra dose of moisture to the skin. 

RELATED: Kendall Jenner Uses This $22 Lip Mask to Plump, Perfect & ‘Put a Little Shine On’ Her Pout

So how does it work? Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that holds a laundry list of benefits like brightening the skin, fading away dark spots and even reducing signs of aging. Thanks to its universal benefits, it’s held a consistent place on skincare’s most popular ingredient list. It’s even known as being an extremely effective Skinceuticals dupe. Vitamin C works well with most skin types and can easily be added to your skincare routine alongside your other beloved products.

Courtesy of Amazon.

Even though vitamin C effectively transforms the skin, it often causes irritation if you are not familiar with using it. If you’re new to using the antioxidant, expect some discomfort until your skin adjusts to it. Also, if you’re using retinol products, make sure to layer in a moisturizer to seal in much-needed hydration that will soothe your skin. 

The serum has racked up over 69,000 five-star reviews from shoppers that can’t stop praising its benefits for their skin. It makes skin look so smooth and youthful, that one shopper called it a “real life filter,” and added, “I’ve used this at night for 30 days. I didn’t do a before and after, but I can honestly say that when my kid took a picture of me the other day, it looked like he added a filter. Literally, my skin looks ridiculously better. I’m 40. I grew up a beach baby and live in Las Vegas now, and I’m in the sun daily. I swear on 37 Bibles that this stuff has easily taken off ten years from my face.”

Another reviewer called the brightening serum a “miracle in a bottle.” They wrote that they wanted to fight signs of aging and decided to give the serum a try. “My skin tone has evened out, much brighter, and friends and family has commented that my skin is glowing and that I look younger! Well, that was the whole point wasn’t it?”

After using the serum that doubles as an anti-aging product, shoppers reported that dull skin and fine lines disappeared.

A final user in their 50s was searching to reverse their years of sun damage and creepy skin. “​​I never thought I would see much results let alone so quickly. I woke up with such glowing skin this morning. And my face feels so soft,” they explained.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

There’s an entire universe of skincare on Amazon, and it’s so vast that it would take light years to go through every product. Even if you filter results to show only the things you’re looking for, it would still take a lot of patience. If you’re on the hunt to find the best vitamin C serum for your skin, let us guide you in the right direction. TruSkin’s Vitamin C Serum needs to be at the top of your list—it has over 69,000 five-star reviews and is on sale now for just $20 ahead of Prime Day.

This shopper-loved vitamin C serum improves wrinkles, dullness and uneven skin tone. And thanks to the serum’s formula, shoppers actually see results. Aside from being packed with antioxidants, this vitamin C serum incorporates jojoba oil to soothe the skin and adds an extra dose of moisture to the skin. 

RELATED: Kendall Jenner Uses This $22 Lip Mask to Plump, Perfect & ‘Put a Little Shine On’ Her Pout

So how does it work? Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that holds a laundry list of benefits like brightening the skin, fading away dark spots and even reducing signs of aging. Thanks to its universal benefits, it’s held a consistent place on skincare’s most popular ingredient list. It’s even known as being an extremely effective Skinceuticals dupe. Vitamin C works well with most skin types and can easily be added to your skincare routine alongside your other beloved products.

Courtesy of Amazon.

Even though vitamin C effectively transforms the skin, it often causes irritation if you are not familiar with using it. If you’re new to using the antioxidant, expect some discomfort until your skin adjusts to it. Also, if you’re using retinol products, make sure to layer in a moisturizer to seal in much-needed hydration that will soothe your skin. 

The serum has racked up over 69,000 five-star reviews from shoppers that can’t stop praising its benefits for their skin. It makes skin look so smooth and youthful, that one shopper called it a “real life filter,” and added, “I’ve used this at night for 30 days. I didn’t do a before and after, but I can honestly say that when my kid took a picture of me the other day, it looked like he added a filter. Literally, my skin looks ridiculously better. I’m 40. I grew up a beach baby and live in Las Vegas now, and I’m in the sun daily. I swear on 37 Bibles that this stuff has easily taken off ten years from my face.”

Another reviewer called the brightening serum a “miracle in a bottle.” They wrote that they wanted to fight signs of aging and decided to give the serum a try. “My skin tone has evened out, much brighter, and friends and family has commented that my skin is glowing and that I look younger! Well, that was the whole point wasn’t it?”

After using the serum that doubles as an anti-aging product, shoppers reported that dull skin and fine lines disappeared.

A final user in their 50s was searching to reverse their years of sun damage and creepy skin. “​​I never thought I would see much results let alone so quickly. I woke up with such glowing skin this morning. And my face feels so soft,” they explained.

Home inspections quite certainly have become the most dreaded two-word request that a home seller doesn’t want to hear these days. Let’s take a close look at the reality of home inspections.

Frankly, I think it is time for a change! After 45 years in the real estate profession, I must say that the
inclusion of home inspections starting in the late 1990s has created the highest degree of animosity and turmoil between a buyer and a seller that I have ever witnessed.

Home Inspection Then vs. Now

Real estate home inspections first came into play in the 1970s when building contractors were first used to inspect homes for potential homebuyers. It wasn’t until the mid-1980s until home inspectors started to become regulated and licensed. Since that time, their popularity has increased greatly with real estate agents encouraging their use to protect not only the agent, but the buyers also.

The right to a typical real estate inspection is included in just about every real estate contract these days and gives buyers a time period to enlist a home inspector and a time period to report defects that a home inspector may find.

It also lists yet another time period for the buyer and seller to determine if the defects need repair,
replacement, cash in lieu of repair/replacement or no repair/replacement at all. Ironically, these three time periods take place “after” the sales contract price has been negotiated and sales contract signed by both parties. It is the “after” that I have a big problem with.

Before or After

My question to you, the reader, is how many times in our lives do we negotiate a purchase price and then take weeks and sometime months, to determine if we are satisfied or want that product?

I tend to think back to the “early days” of real estate when buyers actually examined a home, often bringing parents or builder friends and then negotiated a price to buy based on the home at the time of signing the sales contract.

Remember those days! Was that really such a bad idea?

Do we negotiate to purchase an automobile, then take weeks or months before completing the purchase? No, we typically test drive the automobile or possibly even take it to an auto repair shop “prior” to agreeing to a purchase price. Notice that the key word here is “prior” to agreeing on a purchase price.

How About an Example

A comical example I often use to explain my frustration with the timing of home inspections is this. When you chose a partner for marriage, do you get engaged and then ask for a two to three week inspection period of your partner, only to come back with a list of defects asking them to be remedied or the engagement terminated? Just imagine the ramifications that we would have!

The inspection reports could come back with all of their many defects listed such as bad knee, crooked nose, thinning hair, etc. How many engagements would be destroyed or terminated after such an inspection? We are all astutely aware that homes, cars and people are not perfect, they will have defects of some kind. But when is the proper time to look for defects? After negotiation or before?

What Home Inspections Look Like

Back to my burning question. I understand that home inspections are necessary and wanted in many cases, however my quest here is to determine if the timing of a home inspection could and should be improved upon.

Presently, home buyers and sellers take days to negotiate a purchase price, execute (sign) a contract contingent on a satisfactory home inspection and start the lengthy process of waiting. Unfortunately,
what I have witnessed in the past and present are home inspections being used as a testy re-negotiation tool to get home sellers to reduce their previously negotiated price even further.

In order words, you may agree to sell your home for $250,000 to a buyer. The buyer gets a home inspection completed in a couple of weeks and comes back asking you to reduce the price of
your home upon presenting to you or your agent a lengthy list of your home’s imperfections. Sound familiar?

Due to the purchase being contingent upon a “satisfactory home inspection,” the buyer also has the right
to terminate the real estate contract for any reason that they deem the home inspection is unsatisfactory. I have actually seen buyers terminate contracts because of a small scratch on a bathtub.

A Possible Solution

My mantra in life is if I don’t like something, I try to fix it. So, here is my suggestion to fix this problem:

If a buyer wants to purchase a home and is unsure of the home’s condition prior to purchase, why not have the buyer conduct a home inspection or even a modified home inspection (now being offered by some inspectors) “prior” to agreeing on a purchase price and executing a sales contract?

The argument I will get from some is that time is of the essence and most home sellers do not wish to wait for a buyer to get a home inspection or modified inspection prior to signing a contract. Also, what keeps the seller from selling the property to other willing buyers while the first buyer is getting the home inspected?

My answer to those questions would be to give the seller the right to negotiate with each buyer based on the merit of their offer.

For example, I have my home up for sale and I have two interested buyers. Buyer #1 asks for no home inspection and will purchase at $10,000 less than asking price. Buyer #2 wants to get a home inspection and asks for a seven-day period to conduct the inspection in order to negotiate a price and sign a contract.

I, as the seller, now have the right to accept whatever offer I feel best suits me. My choices are a $10,000
lower price for an instant sell with no strings attached or sign an agreement with Buyer #2 to wait seven days and possibly get a higher price (or could be a lower price).

It is somewhat of a gamble to wait for Buyer #2, but isn’t that what we all do when we negotiate or wait for the highest and best price we can get? The end result with either Buyer #1 or #2 is that once the real estate sales contract is signed, there is no re-negotiation of sales price, and buyer and seller can rest assured that the buyer is satisfied with their upcoming purchase.

In conclusion, if one wants a home inspection, conduct that home inspection prior to negotiating a price for the home you want to purchase. There are many other options out there of how we can conduct home inspections quickly and fairly “prior” to the negotiation stage. Share your ideas to help get this problem resolved for a better and fairer buying and selling experience.

Have you been puzzled by the timing of a home inspection in your real estate contract? Was your home closing delayed or terminated due to a contingent home inspection? What are your suggestions to prevent untimely home inspection re-negotiations after a real estate contract has been negotiated/signed?