Author: HairWeavings Editorial Team

“Your eyes are the window to your soul” is a famous saying that has been attributed to Shakespeare, Leonardo DaVinci and the philosopher Cicero. Whatever the origins of this well-known quote, throughout history we have been aware that our eyes are incredibly precious parts of our body and we need to take good care of them.

Usually, when we look in the mirror, we closely inspect our eye area. As we apply eye cosmetics, we notice that our eyes might, or might not sparkle. I know that when I see my eyes looking tired or dull, I want to remedy that as quickly as possible. Sometimes I need more sleep but if I’m on the go, sometimes I can simply wake up my eye area with some splashes of cold water and application of my organic eye serum.

Sparkling Eye Tips

Here are some tips to bring that special sparkle to your eyes:

• Follow a nightly routine of keeping your eye area free of any makeup by thorough and very gentle cleansing.
• Gently apply eye nourishment before going to sleep.
• First thing in the morning, splash your closed eyes 10 times with very cold water, and your open eyes three times.
• Submerge your whole face in a sink full of very cold water for as long as you can… brrrrr but it works!
• Apply your eye serum with only super gentle pats under the eye and under your eyebrows from the inner area out. Never rub or pull.
• Rub your hands together to create heat, then cup your eyes and take a few deep breaths to improve circulation to the eye area.
• Exercise your eyes: Imagine a large clock face in front of you and move your eyes as far as you can (without moving your head) to each number clockwise and reverse.
• Open and close your eyes tightly 10 times anytime during your day to tone the skin and smaller muscles around your eyes.
• Be aware of what is in your eye hydration; read all labels to avoid harsh chemicals.
• Avoid rubbing or scrubbing your eyes.
• Blink 25 times to keep your eyes moist. When you are looking at digital devices, you tend to blink less often and your eyes become dry and even red.

The Growing Young Gracefully Organic Eye Serum

As I have embraced my own aging, I have looked, tried, experimented and researched what would make my own eyes healthy and sparkling. So many products were irritating, or drying, or too thick. So, I created my own formula of GYG (Growing Young Gracefully) Organic Eye Serum with:

• Grapeseed Oil which is rich in beta-carotene, Vitamins D, C, & E and packed with fatty acids. It locks in moisture and restores collagens.
• Coconut Oil which moisturizes, is anti-biotic, anti-fungal, multivitamin, multi-nutrient, and anti-oxidant.
• Almond Oil reduces puffiness and under-eye circles, is anti-inflammatory, improves skin tone, has retinoids, improves cell turnover and helps reverse sun damage.
• Avocado Oil has beta carotene, protein, lecithin, fatty acids, and vitamins A, D, and E to moisturize and protect from damaging UV rays and increases collagen metabolism.
• Helichrysum Oil soothes and heals, reduces blemishes and irritation.
• Castor Oil’s active agents heal and protect the delicate skin and decrease the appearance of wrinkles and dark circles.

Let your eyes sparkle with these few new eye care routines!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you have an eye care routine? What does it include? How did you come by creating it? Do you feel a difference in your eye sparkle?

As noted in an earlier Sixty and Me blog on senior living, your health status may be the deciding factor in the location for your next move.

After getting input from trusted medical professionals and your family, think about what you’ll need in a living situation to provide the best support for your healthcare priorities.

Types of Senior Living

There is a range of alternatives:

• Independent Living
• Home Healthcare
• Adult Daycare
• Assisted Living
• Skilled Nursing Care
• Memory Care

Independent Living

Independent living usually means an arrangement for those with the least need for healthcare support. Typical examples are:

• Apartments or condos that may or may not offer healthcare services.
• Continuing Care Communities that have a range of options including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care.

People choose independent living as a senior housing option for several reasons:

Less Stress

These communities are designed for senior accessibility to promote greater convenience and safety. Also, chores such as home maintenance and yard work are handled by the facility. While units will typically have their own kitchens, some have communal dining options.

Active Lifestyle

Many communities feature a wide variety of social activities for residents both on the property and excursions in the local area.

Social Interaction

Connecting with others is important for all ages but especially for seniors. The opportunities to meet others of a similar age and circumstances becomes a highlight of a senior living community.

Healthcare Availability

Depending on the community, healthcare services may be available.

Home Healthcare

A 2021 AARP study noted that 77% of seniors want to “age in place” in their homes. Healthcare services delivered at home can facilitate this. Studies have found that home healthcare to be an effective and less expensive way to support senior health. It can take the form not only of medical services but also assistance with daily activities, housework or transportation.

Adult Daycare

Some choose to live with family rather than going it alone or moving to a senior community. However, as we age, our needs increase and our family caregivers get overwhelmed by their responsibilities. Adult daycare provides older adults with higher level needs to spend time in a safe, supportive atmosphere with other seniors. Adult daycare services may offer a variety of services including stimulating activities, social interaction, medical support and even dementia care.

Assisted Living

Assisted living provides housing, social interaction, help with daily activities and medical support. Also, most include meals and housekeeping/laundry. Housing options are private apartments, private rooms or shared quarters. The best examples of assisted living providers promote resident independence in a home-like atmosphere. Some facilities offer “enhanced” assisted living which includes higher levels of medical support.

Skilled Nursing Care

A higher level of medical support is provided by skilled nursing care (SNC) facilities. SNC services can be short- or long-term. Patients recovering and rehabilitating after a hospital stay often will be short-term. Those with chronic conditions requiring around-the-clock medical attention fall into the long-term category.

Memory Care

Dedicated memory care facilities are designed to support dementia sufferers who can no longer live safely in the community. Amenities can include meals, medical services, assistance with daily activities, location alert systems, housekeeping/laundry, and social/recreational activities. In some cases, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities offer memory care in specially designed areas of their buildings.

How to Evaluate a Senior Living Arrangement

Once you’ve decided on a type of senior living, what’s the next step? Below are some general guidelines for making a list of possible facilities and how to evaluate the options.

Research

An internet search is the easiest way to find possible options about a senior living type. Also, ask friends and trusted professionals like doctors or attorneys for their recommendations.

After making a list of 3 to 5 top options, call the person in charge of admissions at each for more information.

Take a Tour

Next, arrange facility tours. In the case of home healthcare, this entails a home visit by the home healthcare agency. In all instances, the prospective resident/client should be an active participant to make sure the future transition to senior care goes smoothly.

Location

How close is the facility to the homes of loved ones? Is the neighborhood safe with stores and services nearby? Is it in a quiet area or a noisy, bustling location?

The Building

Is there enough parking for visitors? Is the building well-maintained. Are there comfortable and safe spaces outside the building for sitting or walking?

What about the interior spaces? Does the lobby feel cheerful? Do the common areas look clean and well lit? Are there safety measures like handrails in the hallways, grab bars in bathrooms and non-slip floors? Are there any unpleasant smells?

Living Quarters

Do the living quarters look clean and well-maintained? Do they feel roomy? Are there amenities such as kitchenettes, closets and bathrooms.

Residents

When touring, look to see if the residents appear clean, well-groomed, happy and comfortable? Are they socializing?

Staff

Does the staff look professional, friendly and knowledgeable? Be sure to ask about staffing levels and the plan for the staff to communicate with the resident’s/client’s family.

Policies

All senior facilities and home healthcare agencies have policies that are crucial to understand so make sure to get a complete list of policies as soon as possible.

Care Plans

Care plans define the details about care to be delivered to each resident/client. Get a sample care plan so you know what it includes.

Contracts

Contracts need to be signed before services begin. Carefully review all documents so you know the financial and policy implications of service delivery.

Financial

Services will be paid for by insurance, out-of-pocket or a combination of the two. Some people run out of money and are compelled to switch to Medicaid insurance. Make sure you understand the details of how that coverage transfer works.

Healthcare

The resident’s/client’s health is a major objective of any senior living arrangement so knowing how health services will be delivered is important.

Food

What are the dining alternatives at the facility? For home healthcare and adult daycare, there may be a meal option, also. Ask for meal samples to judge food quality.

Activities

Any senior living experience should include stimulating activities. Ask for samples of activity schedules.

Transportation

What are the transportation options at the facility? For home healthcare, is transportation to the store or doctor appointments available? If so, is transportation an extra cost, and are drivers fully trained and insured?

It’s crucial to evaluate all facets of a senior living arrangement. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and collect as much information as you can. Ultimately, the final choice needs to feel comfortable for the resident/client and family.

To learn more about finding your new home later in life, check out my eBook at Living50+.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you considered moving to a new home? What type of home are you looking for? Would certain facilities/amenities/services be crucial to your choice?

Gloves Seen on Lisa Hochstein

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Originally posted at: Angie Katsanevas’ Gloved Cheetah Confessional Look

I’m intrigued by the mythical land of Shangri-la – that magical location that symbolizes perfection.

James Hilton talked about it in his 1933 novel, Lost Horizon, and song lyrics have referenced that idyllic place where you experience a perpetual state of happiness and elevated consciousness. In Hilton’s novel, people who reside in Shangri-la live way beyond the typical lifespan and are slow to age in appearance. Now that’s an attractive concept!

How Would You Describe Your Shangri-La?

What image comes to mind when you think of the blissful life? For me, an ideal existence would include optimal health, loving relationships, an ideal personal space, being honored and appreciated for my community service, and leading a life filled with purpose. Love, peace, passion and joy would be the accepted standard for each day.

I thought it would be fun to explore what a modern-day Shangri-la would look like and how we could try to devise a similar version of it in our own lives. Just how do we go about creating Heaven on Earth?

Invite the Garden to Dine with You

Nourish your body with goodness from Earth. Did you know that eating foods with rich, vibrant pigments can help you glow and live a long, healthy life? Color your meals with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables like berries, pears, squash, beets and dark leafy greens, to name a few.

When you eat right, you’re going to feel like a goddess. A balanced diet rich in phytonutrients will supply you with the energy you need to live the life of your dreams.

Also, to prepare for your spot in paradise, you’ll want to reduce your consumption of processed foods and excess sugar, and replace them with wholesome fare. You have to plan to live your best life! Plant-based meals may be your ticket to enter the golden gates. Develop new habits by making small changes today, and notice how you feel in a few short weeks.

Create a Peaceful Home Environment

Since your home is where you spend most of your time, you want it to be as comfortable and inspiring as possible. Eliminating mountains of clutter will allow you room to grow, expand and breathe more freely. Decluttering your outer space will create an inner peace, a welcomed condition in the land of bliss.

Indoor plants can add beauty and tranquility to your personal space, and provide valuable health benefits. Further, a refreshing new color scheme can revitalize your home and make you smile. Ahh! Imagine coming home to a warm and inviting palace? Doesn’t that sound heavenly?

Lighter living leads to higher living. If your home needs a major makeover, be patient. Utopias are not built in one day.

Commune with Nature

Rest and relaxation are vital to aging youthfully. Scheduled breaks can refresh your spirit and help you tackle everyday tasks. Do you enjoy being outdoors? Nature can assist in the rejuvenation process. It’s my spiritual supplement.

Complimentary natural therapy is always available under the trees. As you create your idyllic life, stroll through park-like surroundings to spark something magical in you. Nature is paradise! Plant yourself in the seasons and delight in the gifts that each has to offer.

Join a Community of Like-Minded People

We were not meant to live in Eden alone. We are social beings, and building friendships is one of our most rewarding experiences. Nurturing loving relationships is a critical component to living an extraordinary life. Spending time with supportive people makes the journey worthwhile. I believe our main purpose in life is to love.

Your tribe may be gathering for a great social cause or meeting within an uplifting spiritual community. You may want to join others who share a favorite hobby, or perhaps you’d like to spend more time with awesome friends. Get involved! We develop and thrive when we are linked together in sacred circles.

Live Generously and Harmoniously

Designing a happy, heart-centered life includes sharing your time, talent and treasure with others. There is no greater joy than being a blessing to someone else. Living generously does not have to be based on a plan. Be available to run errands and offer advice. When I leave home each day, I become a serotonin dispensary – distributing smiles and compliments to those I meet.

If you are participating in a service organization, choose volunteer work that is rewarding and sustainable. That is – commit to philanthropic opportunities that to get yourself pumping. Imagine you are a lightworker generating sunshine wherever you go.

Play Every Chance You Get

Committing to a regular fitness routine will help you navigate your divine journey. It will be challenging to zip around Zion unless you are physically fit. What constitutes a well-rounded move-more regimen?

Full-body workouts that promote strength, endurance and cardiovascular health will help keep you in shape while you fulfill your calling. Remember, you’re in charge of designing an enjoyable and sustainable personal fitness program that supports your lifestyle. Dance, play and give your inner girl a whirl!

Embrace Your Passions and Work Your Purpose

You are a unique expression of Spirit – there’s not another like you. Do you have a new vision for your life? When you cultivate your gifts and talents and send them out into the world, you are creating your Shangri-la. Without a purpose, we merely exist.

A clearly-defined intention is what keeps us relevant and passionate about life. You will discover greater satisfaction when you align your purpose with your daily adventures.

I believe we have the ability to create our own personal land of eternal contentment. Living a charmed life includes eating nutritious meals, creating an inspiring home, connecting with nature, associating with like-minded people, giving back through service activities, committing to a sustainable fitness routine, and working your purpose.

Can you imagine what your world would be like if you were fully expressing yourself in all areas of your life? You would be a fierce force of nature! Invite heaven home, and begin living your version of paradise.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What does your ideal life look like? Can you imagine yourself living it? Is there something that is obstructing it from becoming a reality? What can you do to remove that limitation?

Originally posted at: Julia Lemigova’s Floral Jumpsuit