As women over 60, we can’t ignore the fact that age is taking a toll on our brains. Words and names become more elusive. Misplaced items become more common. Our friends start repeating things they told us just days ago.

So what can we older women do to protect or improve our brain function? Plenty, according to Dr. John Medina, a developmental molecular biologist, natural storyteller and the author of Brain Rules for Aging Well. He shares his scientifically-supported insights with Margaret Manning in today’s delightfully tongue-in-cheek video interview.

The Usual Suspects: Diet and Exercise

After an extensive review of the scientific
data, Dr. John is convinced that a Mediterranean diet is the only truly
brain-healthy one. As he puts it, “Eat sparingly, plant-based foods.” Chow down
on fresh veggies, fruits and nuts. Get your proteins from fish or chicken and
your fat from olive oil.

Don’t, however, marry this or any diet; it’s fine to cheat once in a while. In fact, cheating may be essential for your emotional well-being. Who sticks with a diet of constant deprivation?

As to exercise, forget everything you’ve heard
about the brain benefits of strengthening exercise. Stick with moderate aerobic
activity, such as brisk walking. Think 5,000 steps per day for brain health;
double that for weight loss.

Decentering Techniques

Decentering is the practice of shifting your
focus to somebody else’s world so that you can stop thinking about the problems
in your own. To significantly reduce your risk of all-cause mortality, try
decentering through one or more of the following techniques:

Sitting Down with a Good Book

Reading first-rate literature in the form of
paper, audio or single-use e-reader books is a most pleasant ways to decenter.
But it has to be exceptional literature!

Think J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and Middle Earth, Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible and the 1960’s
Congo or Howard Spring’s These Lovers
Fled Away and post World War I Cornwall

The richer its visual descriptions and
character development, the stronger its decentering effects are. Spending just
30 minutes a day engrossed in a book lowers your risk of mortality from all causes,
including cancer and cardiovascular disease, by 23 percent.

Going Dancing

As an all-around brain booster, ballroom
dancing is hard to top. First, it’s terrific aerobic exercise. Second, it provides
a decentering social interaction complete with non-exploitive touch.

 In Dr.
Medina’s experience, skilled-care facility residents long for both. Without
them, they feel invisible.

Finally, the coordinated movements of ballroom
dancing improve your vestibular function. It’s what controls balance — and
research associates a 37-percent reduction in falls with regular dancing!

Arguing with Someone You Trust

Think back to the delightful
1958 film Gigi and this musical
exchange between Maurice Chevalier’s Honore and Hermione Gingold’s Mamita:

We met at nine

 We met at eight

 I was on time

No, you were late

 Ah, yes, I remember it well!

We dined with
friends

 We dined alone

 A tenor sang

 A baritone

 Ah, yes, I remember it well…

They didn’t realize it, but Honore, Mamita or
both were suffering episodic memory lapses. We’ve all had episodes — usually
involving other people — etched in our memories down to the smallest detail.
But our ability to retain them erodes with age.

To preserve episodic memory function, Dr.
Medina recommends engaging in friendly but heated arguments. Let someone you trust
challenge your assumptions and question your biases, while you leave your world
and attempt to understand a different point of view.

 In one
study group, this “productive engagement” technique improved episodic memory
function by 600%! But be careful to reserve it for the people closest to you. Casual
relationships might fail under the strain!

Feeling and Sharing Gratitude

When you concentrate on what you’re thankful
for instead of what bothers you, you’re decentering. If things aren’t going
well, Dr. Medina advises, simply write down three things that make you grateful.
Perhaps start a journal and record them at the end of each day.

To magnify its impact, share your gratitude! Are there
deserving people in your life to whom you have never expressed your thanks? Then
do so in detail with handwritten letters.

Even better, deliver and read the letters to the recipients face-to-face.
If that’s not possible, use the phone or Skype. Letting these people know you cherish
them can improve your brain function for up to a year!

Practicing Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the technique of focusing your brain on the present moment. As
a form of decentering, it’s a top-notch stress reducer. And prolonged stress,
as we know, invites a host of other problems!

For a deep dive into the art of mindfulness,
Dr. Medina recommends the Robert Teasdale’s eight-week online course, The Mindful Way. Available through
Amazon, the research-verified program teaches you to control your release of
the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. (That’s epinephrine to American
readers).

Mindfulness reduces your risks of cancer,
cardiovascular problems and depression or anxiety. That’s an enormous payoff
for simply learning to focus on things like raisins!

Which of
Dr. Medina’s’ rules for aging well are you already practicing? And what other
brain-protecting rules do you follow? Please share them in the conversation!

The coronavirus has shaken us up. Even
if you never get it, and don’t know anyone who has, the virus and our reactions
to it have changed us individually and collectively. I’m an eternal optimist
(my middle name is Hope), and I see one very positive and powerful trend – live
online yoga classes.

We all know that there are a zillion yoga videos on YouTube. At this moment, I see 388,000,000. Sixty and Me created gentle yoga videos. I’ve made some myself. Those videos are a wonderful resource. I’m glad to know I can find so many yoga videos at any hour of the day.

But something new is happening. Plato
said, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Because many are home-bound, yoga
teachers are offering classes and 1-on-1 sessions online.

Keep reading to find out why live
online yoga lessons are awesome for seniors (and everyone else). I’m offering
my lessons on ZOOM, so any technical references below are for that platform.

Accountability

Something’s missing in those
388,000,000 YouTube videos, and that’s accountability. The lovely yogi or
yogini who recorded the videos might know that you watched it when you press
“like” or leave a comment, but they won’t really know if you did the yoga.

With the coronavirus, or really
anytime, most of us benefit from some commitments in our week. Retirees often
float a while in the bliss of not going to work, but then find they need some
structure to make life work.

We need to schedule time for important
things like exercise and self-care, so that we don’t let it drift too late in
the day and skip it.

With live classes, you generally have
to register in advance and pay a fee. That small commitment makes you far more
likely to continue committing when you put it on your calendar, get ready, and
actually do the class.

I’ve recently started teaching online.
I “arrive” to the video room early and check in with each of my students. I see
them. As we are doing the class, I see them. If it’s a small class, I can notice
when they are a bit off track with their alignment.

I may say their name and invite them
to adjust. This ability will vary depending on the teacher and how many
students are on the video connection. Just like in a local class, I will notice
if a registered student does not show up.

Efficiency

When I started teaching online, I was
extremely pleased with how efficient it is for me and my students. You can put
breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the oven, do the class, and wrap up just in time
to walk straight into the kitchen and eat!

You don’t have to drive in traffic or
park your car. You can fold your laundry or walk your dog up until class time,
and just plop down in your living room to do the lesson.

If you are a caregiver for kids,
grandkids, a spouse, or another loved one in your home, you can take a short
break from being a caregiver without travel time. It is good for your loved
ones to see you doing something for yourself.

Privacy

Live online yoga lessons are ideal for
people who prefer privacy. You may be an introvert. You may love being at home.
Maybe you don’t want to chit-chat with people before or after class at the gym
or yoga studio. You may feel a bit shy about going in public in yoga pants. You
may have cat or dog fur on your yoga pants.

These are all excellent reasons to do
yoga at home, in whatever clothes you want to wear.

If you don’t want anyone to see you
doing the poses, simply turn off your webcam. In Zoom the individual users have
the ability to turn off their audio and video at any time for privacy.

You’ll still benefit from the
accountability because the teacher knows you are there even if he or she cannot
see or hear you. You’re “in the room,” doing the yoga, and getting the
benefits, on your terms.

There’s another element of privacy. It’s mental privacy. When you aren’t
near other people, you won’t watch them do their yoga poses. You can focus
internally, breathe, and feel what your body needs.

Yoga was designed as a personal
spiritual practice and path. Practicing at home is ideal for that quiet mental
space.

Global Impact and Connection

Online, amazing teachers and students
can connect from anywhere. My yoga teacher lives only a 90 minute drive from my
home. I have not made the trip in almost a year. When she offered online classes
due to the coronavirus, I was happy to connect with her in that way.

I am now also taking online classes
with a teacher in California, 3000 miles away. You can pick and choose from the
best instructors in the world!

We can also connect with fellow
students and dear friends. Depending on what video format your teacher uses,
there may be a time and opportunity for students to see each other as well. In
my first few online classes, I cried with joy to see friends and students
joining me from other states and countries.

You can see your local friends at
online yoga class, even if you are still home-bound.

Safety

Online lessons are safe for seniors
because you choose your teacher and your class. You can choose a teacher with
experience working with older adults.

It’s safe because you can stay home if
you have a weakened immune system or allergies. You can stay home if you are
self-quarantined because you’ve traveled.

And finally, of course, it’s safe
during the coronavirus. You practice in your own space, on your own mat, with
peace of mind.

What You Need to Know to Get
Started

You will need some level of technical
skill. You will likely need to register for the class online and feel
comfortable paying online with a credit or debit card. You will receive an
email confirmation. Usually you will have a link to click to view the class.

In my case, I allow 15–30 minutes
before each class to make sure my students have logged on and can see and hear
me.

An added bonus of live online yoga
classes is that you have to make a space and put your mat on the floor. You
have created a space for yoga in your home. This is a powerful step towards
creating a habit!

Eckhart Tolle said, “Adversity is a
great opportunity to deepen spiritual awareness. Use it, don’t waste it.”
Adversity is also a great opportunity to try new things. We will all be glad
when the coronavirus is over.

I cannot see ahead much further than a
few days. I see live online yoga classes as a huge positive that has come from
this situation. I am certainly open to continuing online classes even when we
have the option to go to class locally.

I invite you to join me in online yoga classes and wellness services. Click here to book a complimentary phone or video consultation with me. I look forward to meeting you online!

What are you doing to stay connected
to your favorite teachers and wellness guides? What online classes are you
taking from home? What do you enjoy most about them? Please share with our
community!

I don’t know about you but when I do a face mask at home, I’m usually wearing a hoodie, leggings and slippers. Or maybe a robe. But when Emma Roberts tries a Loop mask, she looks chic as hell doing it. The actress posted a photo to her Instagram Stories late last month wearing a Capulet plaid tank and Acler flared cropped jeans, an #OOTD that would be cute for brunch or a night out with friends. But Roberts, like all of us, is self-distancing at home. Is that what she wears at home? Impressive.

Roberts’ yellow top even matches her face mask. Did she plan that? Or did she pop the face mask on, realize it matches and take her cute photo? Either way, she for sure got the mirror shot. Wearing high-waisted jeans at home is a brave move and one I am not doing while home in isolation. In fact, I’m not really wearing pants at all.

Image: Instagram.com/emmaroberts.

The mask Roberts is trying is from a new brand called Loops. The Korean-made hydrogel masks contain active ingredients such as baobab oil, cactus extract and rice extract. Each is made from sustainable materials that are even compostable. There are options for before bed to calm and moisture skin, detox after a workout or glow before a big event. Roberts chose the Sunrise Service mask, an AM-friendly mask that contains pumpkin extract to depuff, baobab oil to rejuvenates, bio duoferm to protect against free radical damage and a white flower complex to brighten skin.

Extra points for a matching ‘fit.

Image: Loops.

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.

Retail therapy is always a welcome reprieve from the everyday stressors of life and right now, that couldn’t be more true. While I certainly don’t recommend blowing your entire budget on the non-essentials, who I am to say your beauty routine doesn’t count as a must-have at all times? With that being said, I see no reason to keep the best beauty sales for this week a secret.

While beauty juggernauts including Sephora and Ulta are always running daily deals that sometimes introduce us to products we’ve never heard of, sometimes, the best markdowns can be found on individual brand websites. And if they just so happen to carry cult favorites that rarely go on sale, it’s a unique opportunity to finally see if the hype is real.

In the case of this week’s markdowns, that includes Pixi‘s Glow Tonic and Perricone MD’s entire no-makeup makeup collection. Keep scrolling for the deets on these two and more.

It Cosmetics Friends & Family Event

It Cosmetics.

From April 6-20 (11:59PM PST) while supplies last, get 20 percent off any $30+ purchase on ItCosmetics.com plus free shipping with the code TAKECARE20. And if you spend at least $75, a free Hello Cheekbones Contouring Duo Palette ($36 value) will be added to your purchase. Finally, there will also be select markdowns for up to 40 percent off.

Kate Somerville Friends & Family Event

Kate Somerville.

From April 3-5, the entire Kate Somerville website is 20 percent off with the code FAM20. This is the perfect opportunity to add any of the brand’s iconic skincare solutions, including the best-selling ExfoliKate treatment, to your spring and summer arsenal.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Duo Deal

Marc Jacobs Beauty.

Now through this upcoming Wednesday, April 8th, Marc Jacobs Beauty wants shoppers to treat themselves to 40% off their shade of the Accomplice Concealer & Touch-Up Stick and Accomplice Instant Blurring Beauty Powder ($48, $81 Value) on MarcJacobsBeauty.com. No video call filter needed when you’re wearing this dynamic duo.

Cover Fx Friends & Family Sale

Cover Fx.

From April 7-14, Cover FX’s limited-time Friends and Family sale will offer a 25 percent off discount sitewide with free shipping on all orders and a free Spotlight Loose Highlighting Powder on orders $65 or more.

Perricone MD No-Makeup Sale

Perricone MD.

From April 6-19, everything in Perricone MD’s best-selling no-makeup makeup range will be an impressive 40% off. It includes the Foundation Serum, eyeshadow, blush, mascara, concealer, lipstick, highlighter, and finishing powder. And right now, you can take advantage of Perricone MD’s Spring Sale, where everything on the brand website is 25 percent off with the code SPRINGSALE25 (exclusions apply).

PUR Buy Two, Get One Sale

Pur.

From April 2-6, everything on the PUR website is buy two, get one free with the code PURB2G1. I personally recommend snagging the innovative foundation and concealer, available in a whopping 100 shades.

Pixi Friends & Family Sale

Pixi by Petra.

From April 1-8 with the code PIXIFAMILY20, get 20 percent off of anything on the Pixi by Petra website (except Pixi Pretties, gift sets, and sale items) and free shipping on orders totaling $25 or more. I’ll take two bottles of the Glow Tonic, please!

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.

Like most children, my grandkids think of me as a superhero. I am a bringer of gifts and laughter. I am their “baba with a backpack” who Skypes them from mountain tops and cruise ships, desert villages and London hotels. At their ages (9 and 3), I’m pretty sure that they are the only people in the world who think I am perfect… although that will probably change when they get a little older!

What they don’t yet realize is that, like all people, I am far from perfect. I have made my share of mistakes – both financial and personal – during the course of my long life.

Of course, I could keep my mistakes private in order to protect my ego (and their innocence). But, as a baba, I think that this would be a selfish choice. So, I have decided that, for better or for worse, I am going to show them the real me, warts and all. Hopefully, as we grow together, this will make our bond even stronger.

So, to help organize my thoughts – and to encourage you to share your own ideas with your grandkids – I wanted to share 4 money mistakes that I plan on sharing with my grandkids.

But, first, a word about grandparents and parents.

Parents and Grandparents: Danger Will Robinson!

I don’t know why, but, more often than I would like to admit, I actually hear the voice of the robot from Lost in Space saying “Danger Will Robinson, Danger, Danger!” whenever I am about to make a mistake. Does that make me weird? Oh well!

Before I share the money mistakes that I plan on discussing with my grandkids, I wanted to make a quick point about the importance of talking to your grandkids parents about any issues like this.

Like most parents, my grandkids parents are always busy. They are running their own companies, looking after their kids and trying to keep their personal relationships going. I remember what this was like from my own parenting days and I know how tough it can be!

As a result, I have found that, when it comes to my role as a grandparent, it pays to over-communicate with the rest of the family. If my grandkids parents feel involved in my decisions, they are far less likely to have an emotional reaction.

So, before I started discussing money with my grandkids, I started by outlining my plan to their parents. With their permission, here’s the advice that I want to give my grandkids. The stories that I tell will vary with their age, but, the messages will remain the same.

Mistake #1: Not Paying Myself First

I felt physically sick when I read the book “The Automatic Millionaire,” by David Bach. In it, David explains how replacing your daily Starbucks with home-brewed coffee could help you to save $100,000s for retirement.

By my own calculations, had I started investing $5 a day when I was 25, I would have had $500,000 by the time I reached retirement.

Instead, like many Americans, I lived in the moment. Even when I had a high-paying corporate job, I still saved next to nothing. Then, when the Great Recession hit, I lost most of what I had left.

Since then, I have worked my butt off to claw my way back to financial freedom. I have paid off my debt, started multiple businesses, saved and invested. And, now, finally, I am back on track.

I just wish someone had told me to pay my future self first when I was a young woman. It would have made my retirement so much easier!

I hope that I can encourage my grandkids to start putting away 20% of all the money that they make from the very beginning. Even $100 saved when they are kids will turn into $10,000 when they need it in retirement.

Maybe I’ll even go so far as to match their savings instead of just giving them money at Christmas.

Mistake #2: Letting Others Control My Financial Life

They say that the person you marry is one of the most important financial decisions that you will ever make. And, they are right!

I don’t regret my previous marriage for a second. My partner was a wonderful man and we spent several decades building a life together. However, looking back, I now see how we both brought out the worst in each other from a financial perspective.

I don’t wish that I had chosen someone else to spend my life with, but, I do wish that I had taken control of my financial life. Rather than be carried away on a river of consumerism, I should have kept my money separate, worked on my financial literacy and planned for the future.

Over the years, I hope that I build a strong enough relationship with my grandkids that they are actually willing to listen to my observations about their friends. Maybe this is wishful thinking, but, heck, it’s more likely that they will listen to me than their parents… I know I would have!

Mistake #3: Not Giving Back Early Enough

If there is one thing that I have learned over the years it is that nothing will make you happier than helping others. I’m ashamed to say that, while I always understood this truth in my heart, I didn’t systematically give back to the world until the second half of my life. And, when I did, I always funneled my contributions through organizations rather than getting involved directly.

In his book, “Money, Master the Game,” Tony Robbins talks about how his life was changed by a random act of kindness that he experienced in his childhood. When his family was struggling, a neighbor gave them enough food to have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. The experience led Tony to start his own effort to feed families around the world.

In the beginning, I hope that taking my grandkids to soup kitchens and neighborhood cleaning events will help them to see the value in giving back. But, as they grow, I hope that they will think out of the box and use their unique skills to find ways to contribute to the world.

Giving back is not just about finding happiness. I am also a firm believer that true wealth comes from making a difference in the lives of others. By helping my grandkids to develop empathy, I will be helping them to become better business people… not just better people.

Mistake #4: Putting All My Eggs in One Basket

At one point in my corporate career, I was fortunate enough to receive stock options in a publically traded company. The company became hugely successful and, like many people, I enjoyed the lifestyle that came with my new wealth… and, if I am honest, I believed that the party would last forever.

Then, the stock market crash of 2000 happened and my stock dropped in value overnight. Worse, I had been counting on my stock to pay my tax bill for the year and I was forced to sell most of my other assets to avoid problems with the IRS.

Had I just taken things about more slowly and diversified my holdings over time, my financial life would have turned out much differently.

I hope that telling this story to my grandkids will help them to understand the value of putting their eggs in more than one basket. Come to think of it, maybe I’ll make up a story about a farmer who quite literally puts all of his eggs in one basket. That would be fun!

What money mistakes would you like to share with your kids or grandkids? Do you think that grandparents have an important role to play in helping their grandkids to understand money? Why or why not? Let’s have a conversation!