As Audrey Hepburn once said, “The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.” Our eyes and the vision that comes with them are a precious gift. We want to enjoy that gift for as many years as possible.

Unfortunately, as we age, most of us experience declines in our visual acuity. Some of these declines are unavoidable due to risk factors such as genetics. However, many problems can be successfully treated when diagnosed early.

That’s why it’s so important to schedule routine eye exams even if you’re not experiencing problems with your vision.

Let’s look at the four eye conditions most common to women over the age of 60. Then we’ll consider what we can do to take good care of our precious eyes.

Cataracts

A cataract is the clouding of the lens of the eye. It results in blurred vision similar to the experience of looking through a foggy window. Cataracts often develop slowly and sometimes don’t require initial intervention.

When the cataract begins to affect your ability to perform daily activities, surgery is the only treatment option.

The clouded lens is replaced by a clear artificial lens. In the majority of cases, cataract surgery results in excellent vision, sometimes even better than prior to developing the condition.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes, especially if it’s poorly controlled, can result in damage to blood vessels in the retina of the eye. Symptoms may include blurred vision, floaters, double vision or pain in the eyes.

While there is no cure for diabetic retinopathy, interventions such as surgery or laser treatments may reduce vision loss.

Glaucoma

If not caught early, glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss. Initially, the disease often has no symptoms, so many people with glaucoma don’t realize they have it until significant damage is already done.

Eventually, the disease causes the loss of peripheral (side) vision. Treatment options include prescription eye drops, oral medications or surgery.

Macular Degeneration

The exact cause of macular degeneration is unknown, but it affects the nerve tissue that lines the back of the eye. You might experience distortion of objects or the appearance of dark spots in your central field of vision.

There is no cure for this condition, but treatments such as drug injections or laser surgery can sometimes slow the progression.

Now here’s the good news. While some visual changes associated with aging are unavoidable, there are steps we can take to help protect our eyes.

Exercise

Exercise improves blood circulation to our eyes. It also helps control conditions that adversely affect vision such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

An effective exercise program doesn’t need to be extreme. Generally, about 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week is adequate. Of course, you’ll want to consult your medical provider prior to making significant changes in your exercise routine.

Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays

Exposure to UV rays in the form of sunlight increases our risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration. Be sure to wear sunglasses when you’re outdoors during daylight hours. Wraparound glasses provide the best protection.

Control Your Blood Sugar

Diabetes affects every part of the body, including our eyes. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels increase the risk of damage to the blood vessels and nerves in our eyes.

Many people have elevated blood sugar levels and aren’t aware of the problem. Be sure to have your blood sugar checked regularly and carefully follow your physician’s guidelines if it’s elevated.

Quit Smoking

We all know that smoking increases our risk of heart and lung disease, but did you know it also damages our eyes? In fact, smoking is a risk factor in every one of the four common eye conditions we discussed earlier.

Chemicals in cigarette smoke damage structures in the eyes, including delicate blood vessels. It’s never too late to give up smoking.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Foods high in antioxidants provide a protective effect for our eyes. These include berries, orange and green vegetables, and citrus fruits. Omega-3 fatty acids such as those found in cold water fish, flaxseed and walnuts also offer protection.

Real foods are generally healthier than supplements. However, if you’re at high risk for eye disease, your ophthalmologist might prescribe special nutritional supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin.

Maintain Normal Blood Pressure

Elevated blood pressure can result in damage to the blood vessels of the eyes. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so many people aren’t aware they have it. Remember to check your blood pressure regularly and follow your physician’s recommendations if it’s elevated.

I hope you’ll share this information with your under-60 family members and friends. The earlier a person adopts good health habits the better their chances of protecting their precious vision for many years to come. 

Do you suffer from an eye condition? What kind of treatment have you undergone? Do you think things might’ve been different had you taken better care of your eyes in earlier years? Please join the conversation below.

Valentine’s Day is over, but if you’re a divorced woman over 50, you may still be struggling with ways to show love for yourself this month and beyond. 

But over my years as a divorce coach for women 50 and better (and as someone who went through a painful divorce myself), I’ve actually discovered some incredible things I can do for myself and others that guarantee February, March, and the spring are full of warmth, love, and fulfillment. 

Donate to a Charity That Empowers Women and Girls in Need

Whether it’s domestic or international, related to girls’ education in the developing world, equal access to reproductive health, providing sanitary products to women experiencing homelessness, or your local Girl Scout troop, there are many incredible organizations that would love (and need!) your time and investment.

Not sure where to begin? And nervous that the money you donate won’t go to those in need? No sweat. I love exploring Charity Navigator’s list for the ladies.

Even when you are going through a lot of pain after you were married for decades, paying it forward by helping other women does two things for you: 

#1 It reaffirms you’re not alone and there’s a community out there that needs you.

#2 It lets you know that even when you’re hurting and stuck, you have the ability to break free from patterns that keep you down. Because you deserve so much happiness… at 50, 60, or any age.

Write a Love Letter to 3 Incredible Women in Your Life

It can be a good friend, a teacher, your mother, aunt, sister, hair stylist, therapist, or the female doctor who found the suspicious lump early and saved your life. 

It doesn’t matter her status. And it doesn’t matter how long the letter is. It can be as simple as sending a text message to her. Or an email. Or finding a beautiful card at the grocery store. Or actually getting out some lovely stationery and composing an old-school (my favorite!) letter.

All that matters is you thank her for what she did for you. And she influenced you in a positive way. 

Romance Yourself in February and Beyond 

As women of a certain age, we are conditioned to take care of others and never put ourselves first, but that silliness stops today. In the spirit of love, I’d encourage you this weekend to actually romance yourself. 

That can look however you want it to. 

It can be soaking in a hot bubble bath with the door closed so nobody can bug you. 

It can be ordering some delicious take-out and watching your favorite show on Netflix (um, Bridgerton anyone?). 

It can be finally ordering that super-soft robe you’ve had your eye on but have felt guilty about buying.

Romancing yourself after divorce has infinite benefits. The most important one is that doing so repeatedly instills an internal sense of self-worth in you, teaching you that you don’t need an external source – not your family’s approval, not a man, nothing – to feel good.

For years, our society has been brainwashing us into believing that the only way we are valid is if we have a husband. But when we put ourselves first, and embrace the worth we have for just being, we take our power back. 

And taking your power back is the greatest act of love of all. 

Do you struggle with showing yourself love after divorce? What steps can you take to start pampering yourself and loving yourself in the way you deserve? 

Can we really stretch our mind during our 60s and beyond so that we can achieve even more out of life? The answer is: Yes. Absolutely!

Mind stretching is the process of teaching the brain a new way of thinking, and in doing so, connecting the right/left brain more effectively. Each hemisphere controls certain functions and movement on the opposite side of your body.

The left brain is more verbal, and the right brain is more creative. However, as with most things relating to the human brain, it’s complicated. While each hemisphere has its strengths, they don’t work in isolation. Both sides contribute something to logical and creative thinking.

The Brain vs the Mind

The science of the mind is complicated. Scientists must decide if our brain is the same as our mind, or is our brain simply a part of the mind.

Are they one and the same or different and separate entities. One entity is identified as neuroscience – the study of the brain, and the other is identified as the mind – considered to be pure vibrating energy.

Another way of looking at the mind is to think of it as the non-physical entity of our being. Scientists and philosophers argue that the mind does not exist without the brain. Brain and mind are both the rocket and fuel of the human being. And they are yoked, inextricably connected to each other by the body.

The mind conducts ‘thought’ faster than the speed of light and retains all experience whether consciously or not. The mind creates, projects and receives thoughts. It expresses emotions and feelings, and it determines the positive or the negative levels in our bodies.

However, most of all, the mind is associated with consciousness, and that being true, the mind can stretch because our consciousness can expand!

The Mind Wants to Know Itself Better

The yogic philosopher Patanjali told us, “When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.”

Mahatma Ghandi said, “You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.”

Discover the Power of Stretching Your Mind

Expanding your mental processes will initiate the flow of limitless thought and possibilities. As a result, your personal and work life, relationships and happiness quotient will flourish.

Stretch the mind by exploring and understanding how we process a new idea and reframe our thought patterns. Through this process we will ultimately stop limiting ourselves to past references and experiences, thereby eliminating roadblocks to future thought and creativity.

Stretch your mind, and your life will take an importance because you are exploring your nature and environment with an awareness that is like a dance. Stretch, and the idea of a life well lived is attainable. This can happen at any age. How cool is that?

One of the ways I stretch daily is by digging into my human survival kit. My kit is really a goody basket because inside is everything that reflects me.

My experiences, thoughts, desires, needs, ideas, dreams, passions, knowledge – everything I’ve ever done and everything I’ve ever been in my life is inside my goodie basket.

A Diet for Stretching the Mind

The recipe for sustaining and promoting good brain health consists of a diet that includes:

• Olive oil
• Fruits and vegetables high in vitamin E, such as blueberries, broccoli and spinach
• Fruits and vegetables high in beta-carotene, such as spinach, red peppers and sweet potatoes
• Foods rich in antioxidants, such as walnuts and pecans
• Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish – salmon, mackerel and albacore tuna

Part of a healthy regime also includes exercise of all kinds, as well as those brain challenging activities like crossword puzzles, chess, reading and creative hobbies.

Researchers have studied the effects of sleep and brain function. I actually participated in two studies on sleep and memory at the University of Texas, Austin.

It became quite clear that sleep deprivation negatively affects memory, but improves learning and problem-solving skills. In fact, a surprising result is that we can learn new things during sleep!

On a cautionary note, excessive alcohol consumption – as in long term heavy drinking – can lead to serious brain damage because alcohol shrinks the brain.

Alcohol doesn’t actually kill brain cells, but it can cause deficiencies in white matter that resides between the folds or wrinkles of the brain’s landscape. White matter affects learning and brain function and helps manage communication within the nervous system.

Pro-Active Brain Health

I’m sure everyone has a tool kit of essential principles for stretching the mind. Perhaps we are not conscious of our tools, but these tools are nonetheless an integral part of our nature and provide guidance and inspiration for stability, resilience and balance.

Our tools are also responsible for clear thinking, better communication and well-defined relationships.

Stretch your mind – stretch your life. It’s a free and measurable indicator of how joyful your path in life can be during your 60s and beyond.

What healthy habits have you established to help stretch your mind? What tools do you find most useful in maintaining positive brain health in your 60s? Please share your thoughts and observations below!