Back in the old days, parents used to tell their kids to “go outside and get some fresh air and sunshine.” Of course, those were the days before cellphones, TikTok and fancy interactive video games. It can sometimes be hard to tear the kids (or yourself) off the couch long enough to enjoy the great outdoors. The effort is worth it though, because nature- so-called Green Therapy- can be a great way to heal both mind and body.

Humans are designed for fresh air and sunshine. In fact, as anyone who’s experienced seasonal depression will tell you, we suffer when we don’t get them. There’s research out there that suggests fresh air and sunshine stimulates the creation of positive endorphins in the brain that make us feel better and give us the fortitude to better handle stress. 

Getting out and enjoying nature doesn’t mean a brutal survival trek through the wilderness, unless of course that happens to appeal to you. There are other, simpler ways to enjoy the outdoors that don’t involve eating bark or fighting off grizzly bears. Take a walk in the park, paint a picture underneath a shady tree. Try some nature inspired crafts, like making your own grape arbor or sculpting with natural clay. Plan and grow a garden, or if you don’t have the space in your yard (or a yard) then create a ‘green’ space in your house or apartment. 

Nature is out there, begging to be enjoyed. Get out there and breathe in that fresh air! It’s not only fun, but good for you as well. 

If you’ve looked at your schedule and cringed at the thought of yet another Zoom meeting, then you’re probably not alone. After more than a year of the pandemic, and hundreds of virtual meetings, you’re tired. It may surprise you to learn that your kids are just as weary as you are. Like you, kids don’t like sitting in the same place hour after hour, staring at the same four walls and computer screen. 

There are some ways to make it more interesting for them. Consider brightening up their room, adding colorful posters or decorations to keep them visually stimulated. Try using their favorite photos or bright post-it notes with encouraging messages.

It’s also important to engage with your kids. Talk to them. Get their opinions on what they like and don’t like about virtual learning. Find out what motivates them and what distracts them. Where are they having the hardest time? If you have multiple children try putting them together so they don’t feel so isolated. Or if they’re distracting each other, try separating them. Your children are unique, so your solution may need to be just as unique. 

They say a positive attitude will take you far, and that statement applies to you as well. Remember that your kids will take cues from you. Resist the urge to complain about virtual meetings in front of them. Face those digital shindigs with an upbeat attitude and your kids are more likely to follow your example.  

Like it or not, the Covid-19 pandemic has changed things. Zoom meetings are likely here to stay. If you can’t change things, then the only way forward is with a smile. It’s a lesson that not only applies to adults, but to kids as well.

As we approach summer, it’s easy to forget the freedoms we take for granted, especially when we’re surrounded by all that Memorial Day advertising. It’s only when we take a look at other places around the world that don’t enjoy those same freedoms, that we can truly get a sense of perspective. Thousands of men and women have given their lives so we can be free. 

This Memorial Day, let’s remember and be thankful. 

It really doesn’t take very long at all. Visit a nearby veteran’s cemetery and lay down a flag or a simple wreath. Every Memorial Day the President issues a Proclamation— a prayer for peace. Take a moment to read it and observe a moment of respect at 3:00 PM local time. 

You can celebrate a patriotic Memorial Day in other ways as well. Why not a red, white and blue themed entrée or desert at that cookout?  Know someone with a loved one serving overseas? Reach out and invite them over. If you have a flag, be sure to keep it at half-mast until noon, before raising it proudly for the remainder of the day.

If you want to get a little more involved, there’s always the VFW’s ‘Buddy Poppy’ program. Every year, VFW veterans and volunteers make red paper flowers to ship to VFW posts to encourage community donations. The program is a great way for you and your kids to appreciate the true meaning of Memorial Day.

On this official first day of summer, raise a glass, take a moment of silence, and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. 

Those that say the art of letter writing has vanished clearly haven’t seen some of the novel-length texts we send to each other these days. But we’re not talking about texts. We’re talking about letter-writing the old-fashioned way. It still exists, and it can be surprisingly fun.

Writing by hand is different than email or text. It’s slower, allowing you to consider more carefully what you are writing. The result is a more thoughtful, deeper communication and frequently leads to a more lasting bond. If you look at some modern-day pen-pals, their relationship may stretch over decades.

It’s also therapeutic. By actually writing, instead of firing off a series of emails and texts to sixteen different people at the same time, you give your full attention to the person you’re writing to. While thinking of them, you’ll naturally want to emphasize the good things that have happened to you rather than the bad things, which can lead to a more positive and happier world view. There’s a reason many therapists emphasize writing as a way to heal mentally.

If you’re the type who looks for practical as well as personal applications, letter writing has plenty to offer. Writing a letter forces you to slow down and think logically and then transcribe those thoughts in a clear, coherent order. It’s exactly the type of skill that will serve you well in the working world. 

Letter writing may be the perfect bridge between the old and the new. Take up your pen and paper and see where your handwriting can take you. You might be surprised. 

Cooking is fun… up to a point. When you’re young, it can be a creative outlet for your culinary passion. When you’re older, just getting into the kitchen can be a struggle. For seniors, the best of all possible worlds is delicious, nutritious, and most importantly… easy!

It’s also important to understand that our nutritional needs change as we age. A heaping plate of steak and potatoes may be just the thing when we’re younger, but it doesn’t work as well for seniors. One big difference is a decrease in appetite. The medications many seniors take may result in a dry mouth, or cause a change in their sense of taste. Decreased appetite doesn’t mean a change in the body’s nutritional needs; it just means seniors need to get more nutritional value from the food they do eat— more bang for the buck as it were. Here’s a link from MedicinePlus that gives you a good idea of how it works.

With that said, on to some recipes, courtesy of A Place for Mom, a website devoted to senior living. The recipes include some great choices such as rich and flaky salmon, a great low calorie source of protein that’s loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and energy-boosting B vitamins. It also includes plenty of veggie recipes as well as a great quiche, a seemingly luxurious breakfast that’s surprisingly cheap and easy to make. 

Give these ideas and recipes a try. After all, there’s no reason great nutrition and great taste can’t go hand in hand. 

Spring is here, the flowers are blooming and that means Mother’s Day is once again upon us. This is probably not your first experience with Mother’s Day. No, you’re an old pro at making sure Mom feels appreciated, which begs the question of whether you want to get her yet another card, potted plant, or pedicure. Maybe it’s time for something different.

What you choose will depend a lot on Mom, but you can’t go wrong with a cleaning party. No one, Mom included, likes housework. A clean house is enough to make anybody smile, especially if Mom doesn’t have to lift a finger.

Why not help Mom learn a new skill? All of us have something we’ve always wanted to try, and our mothers are no exception. Perhaps she always wanted to learn how to waltz or discover the finer points of cabinet making. Maybe she’s the wild, adventurous type that wants to try her hand at sky diving or parasailing. Whatever her secret passion, indulge her on Mother’s Day. 

If none of these ideas quite sound right, check out these articles from The Spruce and Parents Together for some other great ideas. 

Whatever else you do, be sure to reach out to Mom and let her know she’s appreciated. Better yet, don’t wait for Mother’s Day. Let Mom know how much she means to you the other 364 days of the year, too.

Happy Mother’s Day to Moms everywhere!