16 Comments
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Gavin Chase's avatar

A great article. Education and advice is so important for later life enjoyment

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Juliet Wilson's avatar

Useful advice! My partner and i regularly play Scrabble and I recently started learning Scottish Gaelic.

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Patricia Cusack's avatar

Learning a new language is highly recommended for challenging the brain, so that along with the Scrabble means you're making good choices! I've been learning Italian for a while. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it, but it's always a challenge.

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Juliet Wilson's avatar

I've learned Italian too, it's a lovely language.

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Alexander J. Porter's avatar

#12 is one I know I need to be better at - thank you for the reminder :)

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Patricia Cusack's avatar

You're welcome, Alexander. Maybe, like me, learning how to make Substack work for you is one reason to get out of bed in the morning!

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Kay M.'s avatar

Great article! I appreciated how you described this process as "an investment" - something to start in your 40s or 50s (although making healthy choices is positive at any age, as you point out)...very inspiring.

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Patricia Cusack's avatar

Thank you, Kay. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yes, I started in my forties when I gave up meat and took up yoga, both of which are relevant today. It proved to be a good investment in my lifestyle.

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Cliona Woods's avatar

Hello Pat it’s lovely to hear from you again. I found your most recent podcast very enabling. Knowing what needs to be done, is so empowering. It allows you to set goals, from which you will continue to reap a benefit throughout your life time. Occasionally, it can feel very overwhelming to know where to begin. I’m very grateful for your advice and the community which you have created. It lets me know I’m in good company as I work towards my health goals. A personal quality I will be working on this year is consistency. It isn’t that I don’t know what I ought to be doing, I’ve made countless good starts. However, I have decided this year will be different. This year I will consistently hold to my exercise and diet goals. I haven’t set them unrealistically high. I have set them at an attainable level and I really hope this time next year I can come back to your page and let you know what I have achieved.

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Patricia Cusack's avatar

Thank you, Cliona. I'm so happy you found the post useful. I'm sure you'll reach your goals this year and look forward to your telling me so, next year.

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Patricia Cusack's avatar

Thank you, Elizabeth. I have a friend, also in her forties, recently diagnosed with a thyroid disorder and I know how it messes with your health and wellbeing. I was in my forties when I started to take an interest in scientific findings on health, after a midlife crisis. It's a good time to start but it's never too late. Welcome to our community here!

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Joan Stommen's avatar

Love these, Patricia! While I still struggle with eating better...I’m a fussy eater, don’t cook, have to watch salt, gluten..I absolutely agree with active aging starting young! I started 5Ks when I was fifty something...then Zumba craze. It keeps you accustomed to moving as you grow along. Thanks for sharing these science based tips! Great inspiration this morning! 😊

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Patricia Cusack's avatar

Thank you, Joan. Why am I not surprised that you're already a mover! Keeping moving is so important, especially for we writers. who can be glued to our devices, engrossed in our craft for hours on end.

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Kathi Roach's avatar

These are great tips Patricia. As a 56 year old, I can completely relate to the mindset of the things I'm doing now, eating better + exercising consistently, are deposits into my future self.

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Patricia Cusack's avatar

Thank you, Kathi. I see you have a background in nursing so you'll have a heads up on the importance of going into your older years taking good care of your health. It's never too early or late to invest time spent on your health.

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Jan 7, 2024
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Cliona Woods's avatar

It really dose rock your world when something go wrong with your health. Up to that point, it's far too easy to take your health for granted. It's comforting to hear another person coping with such positivity. Thank you for sharing.

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