This week on the podcast we're stretching out and "opening our minds" about how we should all be more like our tongues! This may sound funny, but there is a story behind it and how it actually relates to staying active on a regular basis.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

1). The story behind how this topic came about and why we thought it was very relatable to our listeners and those who enjoy an active lifestyle.

2). The importance of movement throughout your day, even when you're not actually exercising.

3). Some suggestions on how to stay motivated when you don't feel like exercising or being active.

4). Why we often make the mistake that trying to get fit or lose weight is like a straight line when in reality there are many ups and downs to get through which is normal.

5). How your body changes over time and what may have worked to stay active in the past may not work as easily now or into the future.

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We hope you enjoyed this fun episode and maybe after hearing it you'll agree on why we should all try to be more like our tongues!

Team Meredith

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"A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work." - Colin Powell

This quote reminds us that hard work continually is what gets us to our goals, not just hopes!

Meredith

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September is Falls Prevention Awareness month and in this episode we wanted to shed more light on this important cause. Unexpected falls can cause much more than just physical damage. There are many mental and emotional aspects that come into play not just for the person who experienced a fall but also surrounding friends and family. Falls can occur at any age but the most vulnerable are older adults or those with disabilities.

Luckily there are a few easy things that you can do to minimize the risk of a fall to remain safe in your home or living space.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

1). What Falls Prevention Awareness Month is and why it has become so important to recognize each year.

2). Why it's important to highlight Falls Prevention Month in all independent and assisted living facilities.

3).  The importance of including easy to follow balance exercises each week in your regular exercise routines which help build strength and stability.

4). How certain medications can cause problems with balance which can lead to falls and other physical complications and why it's important to discuss this with your doctor.

5). Why it's important to make sure any assistive devices like a walker or cane are regularly checked so they don't break or collapse which can lead to a dangerous fall.

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We hope the tips in this episode are helpful to you or someone you know who may have experienced a fall. Making sure to take a few extra steps in securing your surroundings to avoid the risk of a fall will go a long way to a safer, healthier, more independent life for you and your loved ones.

Team Meredith

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"One day you will look back and see that all along you were blooming." - Morgan Harper Nichols

This quote reminds us that it is important to look at our progress, to see how far we have come especially when we are feeling down on ourselves.

Meredith

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Maintaining a regular exercise schedule is one of the gold standard indicators of health and wellness and making sure your mind and body are in the best shape they can be. However, no matter how much we exercise there may always seem to be aches and pains and mental challenges that we attribute to living an active lifestyle. Surprisingly, there are many other factors that can affect the way your mind and body responds to daily life and one of those can most definitely be the weather.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

1). Why we decided to dedicate an episode to this topic and how common it is to feel the effects of the weather and yet, not realize how much it is affecting you.

2). Insight into the comments and feedback we receive on our YouTube channel and website in regards to how different weather climates around the world affect others who live an active lifestyle.

3). How weather can affect you mentally and emotionally which can be challenging when trying to maintain consistency with exercise and diet.

4). How certain climates and weather changes can affect your respiratory system which can cause problems in your overall well being.

5). How constant weather changing patterns can weaken your immune system especially in those who may not be very physically active or overall healthy.

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We hope the tips in this episode are helpful if you are experiencing physical or mental challenges during your active lifestyle. The weather isn't usually something we focus on when it comes to staying active and healthy but it most certainly can play a role in how your body and mind respond to exercise and the everyday challenges we encounter.

Team Meredith

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new." - Socrates

This quote reminds us that we must build the new to make change stick!

Meredith

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Being in caretaking is one of the most important jobs or positions to take on when it comes to caring for the aging or those in need. It can be demanding and even stressful at times but also very rewarding in making the difference in someone's life. It is also easy to lose sight one the most important aspect to caretaking, making sure you as the caretaker is being taken care of.

Putting your health and wellness first as a priority is key to maintaining an independent life and allowing yourself the necessary rest time to recharge will give you the ability to be your best at your job especially when you are needed most.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

1). The definition of a "Caretaker" and what their roles and responsibilities usually entail.

2). Why it's important to also prioritize your health and wellness as a caretaker so that you can be the best version of yourself when taking care of someone else.

3). Helpful ways you can plan healthy meals around the eating times of the person you are caring for to ensure you are also eating healthy and not allowing your meals to be an after thought.

4). Planning tips on how you can better schedule your day around caretaking so that you get better sleep at night which will help you recharge your mind, body and soul.

5). The importance of staying socially connected to close family and friends while you are away from caretaking.

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We hope the tips and information in this episode are helpful to you if you or someone you know is a primary care taker. Taking care of our aging or those who need it most is needed in all facets of life and making sure those who take on this role are caring for themselves is just as important.

Team Meredith

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well." - Diane Ackerman

This quote reminds us that we need to fill each day with so much good, not just live the length of each day!

Meredith

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regular exercise is key to maintaining an independent lifestyle especially as you age. Keeping a schedule of workouts helps build consistency and confidence in sustaining a healthy future.

But what happens when you hit a "funk" or encounter an unexpected injury that sidelines you for a period of time? There are many things that occur in life that can throw surprises into your regular schedule which can keep you from staying on track with exercise. This can cause feelings of "falling behind" or lagging with your routine exercises.

Luckily, there are some easy tips you can follow which will help you get back into the game and feeling great both in body and mind.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

1). What events, thoughts or circumstances in life can make us feel like we're not exercising enough and why this is more common than we may think.

2). Some of Meredith's personal experiences in working with clients over the years and their thoughts on keeping up with exercise and staying active.

3). Why it's important to not "over set" your fitness goals if you've been away from exercising for a long time or are just getting started.

4). The importance of finding workouts and exercises that you enjoy doing and how that's helpful for your motivation each day.

5). The physical, mental and emotional benefits of regular exercise and remembering why this is important for your overall and long term health.

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We hope the tips in this episode are helpful to you if you feel un-motivated to exercise after a long break or if you're just having trouble getting started for the first time. There's no shame in taking time off and when you're ready to come back to exercise, we hope the information in this episode helps motivate you to get moving towards a longer and healthier future.

Team Meredith

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln

This quote reminds us that we must live each day fully, not just going through the motions of each day!

Meredith

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.