Month: March 2026

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Originally posted at: Kyle Richards’ Navy Sports Bra and Leggings

When we look around this big, beautiful world we live in, it can seem a little overwhelming – especially right now. Wars, conflicts, poverty, crime, economic crisis – sometimes it seems that life is not the blissful one we grew up in.

And yet, in many ways, it still is. The sun rises and sets every day, the stars still twinkle in the sky each night. Fresh grass still smells as sweet as ever, and the sound of children playing in the playground always warms my heart. 

Of course, it is not perfect, but I doubt it ever was. It is just in this social media/news filled life we find ourselves in, we hear so much more than we ever did.

How to Quiet Your Mind

There are many things I do to make my mind feel a little calmer. A walk along the beach is always my first choice. Listening to the sounds of the waves, feeling the water splash over my feet, and knowing that for millennia the same thing has been happening, each and every day.

Nature is also a fabulous remedy for an overactive mind. Walking barefoot through the grass, listening to the birds sing, planting seeds in the garden and, even hugging trees, all help me to feel grounded and connected. Nature is wiser and more experienced than any of us, so I am happy to follow her lead and rejoice in the seasons, and everything she provides for us.

I find history, and knowing all that has gone before, very humbling. We have had wars, pandemics, plagues, invasions, economic collapse – and yet we are still here. I am fortunate to live in a gorgeous 400-year-old cottage, and I often think how difficult it must have been for people living in rural communities centuries ago. My cottage is beside a church, and there is a little gravestone marking the death of 70 villagers from the plague… I count my blessing often.

Take a Step Back

When something happens that upsets or worries us, it is easy to react straight away. Sometimes what is needed is a small step back, a little time, and the understanding that things may not be as they seem. Most things sort themselves out if we let them.

Life gives us many things to deal with, and most of us do a fantastic job managing them. Somehow we find the right words, do the right thing, make enough money, create a beautiful home, bring up a family, support our friends. It is a lot for one person!

And all the while we are learning, growing and, hopefully, building ourselves a happy and fulfilled life. Now we are older, wiser, and maybe even a little kinder to ourselves. We have loved, laughed and cried. We overcame countless obstacles, made our peace with others, and grieved over those we have lost. We are all part of the circle of life.

Be Thankful

Every morning I wake up thankful, and grateful, for what has been in my life. For those I have mourned, would I rather they had not been in my life to save me from pain? Of course not. I will take the pain a thousand-fold.

Each difficulty I overcame has taught me something, and I have become stronger, braver and more capable than I ever imagined. Age gives us the wonderful gift or wisdom, more precious than any amount of gold.

So don’t shy away from the world, it is still a beautiful place. Limit the amount of time you expose yourself to news (bad news sells faster than good!). Savour your days… smile more, laugh often, make new friends, learn something new. Make your own world a lovely place to be. 🙂

Join the conversation:

Do you feel life is overwhelming at times? How do you bring calmness into your life? Where is your go to happy place?

If you wake up with a stiff, achy back, you are not alone. As a certified Pilates instructor for the past 10 years, I can tell you that back stiffness is a common complaint I hear from women over 60 – and it makes complete sense. Our bodies change. Our lifestyles shift. And somewhere along the way, the back starts sending signals we can no longer ignore. In this article, I’ll share why that stiffness happens – and a simple way to start helping your back feel better.

The instinct most of us follow is to stretch it out. We reach for our toes, twist side to side, and hope that a few minutes of stretching will release the tension. Sometimes stretching does help for a little while. But if the stiffness keeps coming back, there is a good chance stretching is not actually solving the problem.

The Real Reason Your Back Keeps Feeling Tight

What surprises many of the women I work with is this: a tight back is often a sign that the core isn’t supporting the spine as well as it could. The result? The muscles along your back compensate. They grip. They brace. They stay “on” all the time, which is exhausting for them. That chronic tension is what you feel as stiffness.

This is especially common for women over 60. Hormonal changes, years of sitting, and a natural loss of muscle mass can all leave the core under-recruited – which means the back ends up doing all the work it was never designed to do on its own.

Stretching a muscle that is already overworked can offer relief, but it rarely changes the underlying pattern. What the body needs is to learn how to share the load again.

Core Strength Is Not What You Think It Is

When I say “core strengthening,” I’m not talking about endless ab crunches. The muscles that support your spine are actually deep and subtle. They respond best to slow, controlled movement and gentle activation rather than hard, repetitive exercises.

In Pilates, we call this working from the inside out. Before we add more weights or resistance, we find the support underneath. Over time, that support becomes automatic – and the back finally gets to relax.

A 10-Minute Mat Routine to Start Today

I put together a short, gentle mat-based tutorial specifically designed for women experiencing back stiffness. No equipment needed – just a mat and about 10 minutes of your time. The movements are slow and intentional, and every single one is appropriate for beginners or anyone coming back after a break.

We work through gentle spinal mobility, deep core activation, and a few key stabilizing exercises that help retrain the relationship between your core and your back. Do this routine 2-3 times over the next 2 weeks and let me know if you notice a difference.

Watch the free tutorial below:

Small Shifts, Big Difference

You do not need to overhaul your fitness routine or push through discomfort to feel better in your body. What you need is the right kind of work – targeted, intelligent, and kind to your joints. Ten minutes a few times a week can genuinely shift how your back feels, not just in the moment, but over time.

Your body is not broken. It is simply asking for a different kind of support. And once you give it that, you might be surprised just how good you can feel.

Questions for You:

Do you incorporate core exercises into your routine? What is your main goal with your physical health right now? What is stopping you from achieving that goal (consistency, accountability, motivation etc.)?

Originally posted at: Rachel Zoe’s Hairspray

Originally posted at: Kyle Richards’ Brown Gradient Sunglasses in Italy