Published on: 02 January 2019
Last Updated on: 22 February 2020
The baby boomers were born in an era of wealth and opportunity. The embers of the Second World War were cooling, the national employment rate was high as Europe set about rebuilding, driving demand through the roof.
But those days have gone. Now, as the baby boomers are retiring, they face tough challenges, caused by a fluttering economy and deteriorating health. These are the fiercest challenges currently facing the aging population.
Long-Term Care
As the aging population comes up against age-related illnesses and diseases, many are entering long-term care facilities. This long-term care throws up a host of financial and logistical challenges.
Firstly, the aging population are having to consider this care in their saving plans for their retirement. The average couple now has to spend around $275,000 on healthcare. This will have to come from somewhere, be it insurance plans, retirement funds, or personal savings.
Additionally, the number of baby boomers requiring long term care will slowly overtake the supply of care facilities. On a macro-level, the government will need to take measures to ensure there are adequate long-term care facilities with trained staff to offer a high-level of round-the-clock care.
Asset Protection
As we approach old age, one of the single biggest concerns is how to protect our assets. As mentioned, healthcare can be a real drain on finances. Couple this with the cost of probate and inheritance tax, and a sizeable portion of our assets will be taken away from our children.
Baby boomers can take steps to protect their assets at any stage of their life. It doesn’t have to happen in retirement. ProtectYourAssetsGA.com offers information on how you can protect your assets in the probate courts and ensure you best interests are protected.
Being Able to Afford Retirement
Although baby boomers were the most prosperous generation in history, rising living costs and inflation has left many with insufficient savings to maintain their standard of living into retirement.
Nearly 50% of all Americans over the age of 50 have $25,000 or less saved for retirement. This means many will be forced to work past the age of 65. Only 23% of baby boomers believed they had enough saved for their retirement.
With social security falling and federal safety nets being dismantled, many Americans now face the difficult question of how they will support themselves when they are no longer able to work. Working longer is one option, but many jobs are unsuitable for someone entering their 70s. They may be physically demanding or, as automation increases, require new technical skills that may not be easily learnt in aging citizens.
These challenges will drastically alter the way Americans think about aging in the next generations. As millennials grow up watching their parents grapple with these challenges, perhaps they will develop solutions.
Either way, the national workforce and healthcare industries are on the cusp of major changes as the population ages. These woes and problems are not going away. We are just going to have to learn to deal with them as a nation.
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Living near nature can help women live longer, with women in the greenest areas living as much as 12 percent longer than women who live in more built-up areas. You need to connect with nature to stay fit and healthy.
Although male mortality rates do not show as much of a clear link, making time to connect with nature has many positive health benefits for both men and women.
In fact, a range of studies have shown that regular contact with nature can improve everything from pain control to eyesight, as well as reduced stress levels and less anxiety.
But, that's not to say that we all have to move to the countryside to take advantage of these health benefits.
Simply making time to connect with whatever natural surroundings you live close to is enough to refresh your mind and improve your health and well-being.
Here are three ways to connect with nature and quieten your mind.
1. Create Time Alone in Nature :
It's great to experience the beauty of nature in the company of friends or family.
But, when we're with other people, we tend to talk. This may be because we worry about what the people we're with think of us. Or we might just feel the need to fill the silence with chatter.
However, the best way to connect with nature is by experiencing it alone.
Being alone in nature allows us to focus on what we can hear, see and feel in these natural surroundings. Whether it's blades of grass between our fingers or the rush of water from a nearby river, you'll become much more aware of what's around you.
So, if you go for a hike with friends, ask for an hour by yourself. Or head to the park or even out into your garden and emerge yourself in the sensory experience that nature offers.
Other than hiking, traveling different beautiful locations is always a great way to behold the true beauty of nature and fall in love with it all over again and again. If you have the love for travel, you should consider traveling as much as you can and plan to visit some of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world. Some naturally beautiful places include the fjords of Norway, the Greek Islands, Islands of Maldives, Switzerland, Kashmir in India, Nepal and so on.
2. Find Your Special Spot :
You'll find that as you spend more time in nature, especially alone, you'll start finding special places that you're drawn to.
It could be a tree you like to lean against when you visit your local park, or the rocks you often sit on to watch the ocean waves crashing on the shore.
Wherever you feel most connected to nature, take the time to really get to know it. Go there in the heat of summer and the midst of winter, know it by day and by night.
Noticing the small changes in nature as well as the contrasts between seasons helps you put things in perspective as you become more aware of how you are a part of something bigger than yourself.
3. Sleep Outdoors :
Since Americans spend around 93 percent of their time indoors, it's important to actively seek out ways to experience longer periods immersed in nature.
There's no better way to get in touch with nature than by waking up to a stunning sunrise, the sounds of birdsong and the smell of fresh morning dew. It certainly beats your alarm clock!
Make Time to Connect with Nature :
Whether you live in an urban area or in the middle of the countryside, it's important for your mental and physical health to take time out to connect with nature.
Do you feel that you spend enough time in nature? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below, or contact us for more information.
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All exercises are not treated equally. Some exercises are meant for building muscle and strength and most of us think that the only way we can do that is by picking up a pair of heavyweights at the gym. But the truth is you can build muscle and strength at home too and without picking any weight, just picking up your own body weight can notch up your muscle-building strength way higher!
Yes, we know that most of us do not have enough time to exercise at the gym, “I am just too busy.” That’s the excuse we all give, but what if you can exercise your whole body with simple body moves? Just a few minutes of your daily routine and you are pretty much sorted. Try this ultimate muscle and strength building workouts to get a lean and ripped body. These 10 moves are all you need!
Ultimate Muscle and Strength Building Exercise – 10 Mean Moves
1. Pushup:
The push-up is a great bodyweight exercise and works on a lot of muscles altogether such as the shoulders, the chest, and triceps muscles.
Here is how you do it :
Drop down to all fours keeping your feet together, keep your hands under your shoulders and keep your body aligned straight from the head to ankles. With your elbows tucked in, lower down your body until your chest is close to the floor but does not touch it.
2. Deep Squat:
Deep squats help in overall muscle development in the lower body working on a lot of muscles together such as quads, glutes, and hamstrings for overall muscle growth.
Here is how you do it:
Keep your feet at least shoulder-width apart and extend your arms straight out. Push your hips back and squat as much as you can.
3. Planks:
Planks are a great way to strengthen all your core muscles, some of the muscles worked are the rectus abdominis, the adductor complex the external oblique muscle, and the glutes.
Here is how you do it:
Drop into a push-up position on the floor. Bend your elbows and balance your weight on your forearms. Keep the alignment of your body right from shoulders to ankles. Brace your abdominal muscles while inhaling and exhaling slowly. Hold this position for another 20-40 seconds and keep at it for as long as you can. Lower yourself to the ground. Repeat this for at least 3 or 4 times.
4. Squat Jack:
Squat Jacks are a great lower-body exercise that works on a number of muscles such as quads, glutes, and hamstrings.
Here is how you do it:
Put your feet together and use your hands to touch the sides of your ankles. Now get into a standing position and raise your head and jump into your sides.
5. Mountain Climber:
Mountain Climbers are a great exercise to move your heart rate up and working up most muscle groups in the body such as the chest, obliques, deltoids, biceps, triceps, quads, abdominals, hamstrings, and hip abductors.
Here is how you do it:
Get down to a pushup position. Bring your right foot and bring it as close to your chest as possible, touching the floor with the help of your right foot. Repeat the entire exercise with your other leg That completes 1 rep.
6. Single-Leg Hip Hinge:
The single-leg hip hinge works your glutes and hamstrings and it boosts your foot and ankle strength to a great extent. It also improves your balance and stabilization.
Here is how you do it:
Stand on your right leg and raise your left foot behind you, keep your arms by your sides. Next, while you push your hips back try and reach for the floor as you lower your upper body and raise your left leg. Try and go for 10 movements per leg.
7. Skater Hop:
The skater jump works your quads, your hamstrings, glutes, and calves. This workout tones your entire leg.
Stand on your right foot with your left leg crossed behind you. When you land on your left foot try to cross your right leg behind you. Keep hopping from one leg to another.
8. Bridges:
The bridge is an exemplary exercise that works all your core muscles that includes your abs, lower back, and also tones your glutes. The Bridge also stretches out your chest, neck, spine, and hips and helps with pain in your back, head, and knee.
Here is how you do it:
Lie down flat on your back. Bend your knees while keeping your feet on the floor and keep your arms relaxed right beside you. Lift the butt off the floor all the while tightening your glutes and abs. Hold this position for a minute and reprise your original position.
9. Lunge:
The lunge is a great functional exercise. It works your glutes in your hips and butt and also works the hamstrings and quadriceps in your thighs beside the calf muscles in your legs.
Here is how you do it:
Keep your feet shoulder-width apart all the while keeping the upper body upright and look forward. Take a step forward with one foot, then bend the front knee at a 90-degree angle. Ensure that your front knee is right below the ankle when you perform this exercise.
10. Jump Squats:
The jump squat specifically works the legs and midsection. The specific muscles it works are the hamstrings, gluteus maximus, abdominals, quadriceps, and calves, by continuously stretching and contracting the muscles.
Here is how you do it:
Keep your feet hip-width apart and rest your arms at your sides. Squat low all the while keeping your back straight and core all braced up. Use your hips, knees, and ankles to explode up. Use your hands to get the extra momentum. Land with a soft jump keeping your bent knees aligned with your hips and ankles. Land and immediately go for your next jump.
There, how difficult can it be to do all the exercises? You can do these exercises in a HIIT format or interval training format. Do at least 5-10 minutes of warm-up exercises before starting. That means 30 seconds of work with 60 seconds of rest. This will give you great results in a short time! Try out all these exercises and let me know if you have felt the difference. Happy working out!
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You might have heard the term “functioning alcoholic” and wondered what it even means. Then, you might be searching for the meaning of the term and what it means to be a functional alcoholic. Then, let’s throw some light on the meaning of functioning alcoholics for your better understanding.
We often relate alcoholism with people who are unable to function properly in their lives. This stereotype of alcoholic individuals seems to be not accurate. This is because several individuals who are alcoholics seem to function properly and deal with their daily tasks properly.
If this is the case, then why are these individuals living a regular life while being alcoholic? While other groups cannot function properly because they are constantly under influence.
Therefore, in this article, we not only discuss what is a functioning alcoholic but also how they differ from those with more visible signs of alcohol dependency.
Perception About Individuals Battling Addiction
Your concept or perception of an alcoholic will change when you learn how a functioning alcoholic person works. They are capable of living or maintaining a normal life while battling alcohol addiction.
At one glance, you might not even know this person might have an addiction. Because they can do all their daily duties smoothly. Therefore, why was this term created, which means someone who is functioning even when dealing with addiction?
This challenges the common stereotype of an alcoholic person who lives an undisciplined and disheveled life. The term “functioning alcoholic” could be used to describe a person’s condition, but it is not officially recognized.
In the field of psychiatry, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) doesn’t recognize this term officially. However, several professionals use this term to describe a specific alcoholic person’s condition.
So, understanding the phenomenon of the functioning alcoholic is important. Because it helps identify people who are going through this hardship. When you recognize a functional alcoholic, you can help them get the right treatment, which will get them better.
Functioning alcoholics often hide their struggles with addiction while maintaining a normal facade. So, it becomes harder for you to recognize them and get them correctly diagnosed. Therefore, you must read this article to know how to identify one. This is so you can help them get the right treatment for recovery.
What Is A Functioning Alcoholic?
A functioning alcoholic seems to live a normal life while dealing with alcohol addiction. These individuals, you will observe, can do all the regular tasks and maintain a lifestyle without alcohol overriding their lives.
Even if they are always under the influence, they can hold down a job and other obligations. Not only that, but they can also excel in some areas of their lives without alcohol overriding their entire life.
Therefore, it becomes hard for you to identify these individuals. Because they look perfectly normal from the outside while dealing with addiction.
These individuals know how to keep their professional and social lives separate from their addiction. You see, functional alcoholics are aware of their alcoholic addiction, which helps them hide it easily. They become skilled at hiding their shortcomings from the world.
However, this addiction of a functioning alcoholic does not affect anyone other than themselves. It does affect their own lives if kept unchecked in the long run. As they continue to hide their struggle with alcohol, it becomes much more troublesome as time goes on.
Functioning Alcoholics Live In The Grey Area Of Addiction
A functioning alcoholic lives in the grey area of addiction, where addiction coexists with competence. While they are functioning like a regular individual, they also hide their addiction from their friends, family, or colleagues.
So, they operate much more separately than an alcoholic consumed with addiction and a normal non-alcoholic.
So how will you recognize a functioning alcoholic when they are living just like any ordinary person? You see, functioning alcoholics often rationalize their drinking habits as rewards for their accomplishments.
So, if they can get their work done, they reward themselves. Again, if they do their duty towards their family, they will reward themselves with a drink.
Again, their coping mechanism for dealing with the stress of daily responsibilities is through alcohol. So, when they accomplish their responsibilities day-to-day, they reward themselves with alcohol.
But this facade of normalcy is fragile as they become more dependent on alcohol over time. As they start to deal with life problems with alcohol, this results in psychological issues.
Maintaining a long-term facade of alcohol addiction is not the only problem a functional alcoholic face but health problems, too.
High Functioning Alcoholism vs. Traditional Alcohol Use Disorder
Traditionally, you could identify an alcoholic person from their visible signs of dysfunction. These dysfunctional problems were frequent performance issues, relationship problems, and deteriorating health.
In contrast, high-functioning alcoholics may lead seemingly successful lives, masking their dependency behind a façade of competence. They may hold prestigious positions, maintain social connections, and even drink expensive wine without raising suspicion.
Despite their ability to keep up appearances, high-functioning alcoholics often deal with a significant internal struggle. They might spend considerable effort hiding the extent of their drinking from others and themselves.
This can involve elaborate routines to cover up the smell of alcohol and secret drinking sessions. Again, a functional alcoholic persistently worries about being discovered because of their addiction.
You will see that the stress of maintaining a double life can be extremely problematic in the long run. In the long-term, this coping mechanism with alcohol can only affect negatively both physically and mentally.
Along with the stress of hiding their addiction to alcohol and dealing with life’s problems, a functioning alcoholic is bound to break down at some point. This will lead to their worst fear of revealing their true nature.
It’s this dual existence that differentiates high-functioning alcoholism from other overt alcohol use disorders. Other alcohol disorders are more visible due to their impact on an individual’s life.
Recognizing The Signs of Alcohol Abuse
There are significant risks to being a functional alcoholic despite its outward appearance. Because their pattern of drinking can be more than seven drinks per week. This leads to health risks in the long term. Again, continuous dependence on alcohol to deal with life can have adverse effects on the person’s psychology.
From binge drinking episodes to the inability to stop drinking despite its negative consequences, these are some of the recognized risks of alcohol addiction. They may also experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit or cut back on alcohol consumption.
Recognizing signs of a high-functioning alcoholic can be challenging as they are good at hiding their addiction. Therefore, it’s essential to identify these individuals, get them diagnosed correctly, and treat them properly.
It’s important to note that these behaviors can be subtle and easily overlooked, especially when the individual is still managing to fulfill their personal and professional obligations. Over time, you will see that the consequences of high-functioning alcoholism become visible.
Be it strained relationships, personality changes, mental health issues, and physical health problems related to alcohol abuse. You will start to see its effects on a functional alcoholic.
Risk Factors and Consequences
Certain factors can increase the likelihood of high-functioning alcoholism, including genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and untreated mental health issues.
While they may avoid some of the immediate consequences associated with traditional alcoholism, such as job loss or legal troubles, high-functioning alcoholics are still at risk for severe health problems, including certain cancers and mental health issues.
These health problems can include liver disease, heart disease, and neurological impairments that may not become evident until later in life. The psychological consequences are equally concerning, potentially leading to depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders that can deteriorate the quality of life.
Moreover, high-functioning alcoholics may face social consequences over time, such as eroded trust in relationships, marital strife, and a gradual withdrawal from social activities as they prioritize alcohol over personal connections.
Despite maintaining a veneer of normalcy, the cumulative effect of these risk factors and consequences can lead to a tipping point where the individual’s ability to function at a high level is compromised.
It is crucial to recognize these long-term risks and understand that the lack of immediate, visible consequences does not diminish the urgency for intervention and treatment.
Seeking Support And Treatment For The High Functioning Alcoholic
Addressing high-functioning alcoholism requires a comprehensive approach involving medical professionals, support groups, and rehab centers in Los Angeles specializing in addiction medicine.
Loved ones play a crucial role in encouraging their family members or close relatives to seek help, but it’s essential to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Initiating this conversation can be delicate, as it often involves breaking through a wall of denial built up by the individual over time.
Friends and family need to be informed about the nature of high-functioning alcoholism, to offer non-judgmental support, and to avoid enabling behaviors that can perpetuate the addiction.
The process of seeking support often begins with an honest self-assessment or an intervention by concerned loved ones. This step is vital in helping the individual recognize the extent of their problem and its impact on their life and the lives of those around them.
Professional interventionists can be instrumental in this phase, providing the guidance needed to navigate what can be a highly charged situation. Once the individual acknowledges the need for help, the next step involves finding the right treatment program.
Treatment can range from outpatient therapy sessions to accommodate the individual’s work schedule. Or a more intensive inpatient program where you must take a temporary step back from daily responsibilities.
The treatment choice should be tailored to the individual’s specific circumstances, considering their level of addiction, personal responsibilities, and any co-occurring mental health conditions.
Throughout the recovery journey, ongoing support is essential for maintaining sobriety. Aftercare programs and sober living communities offer continued guidance and support, helping the individual to reintegrate into their daily life with new coping skills and a renewed focus on health and wellness.
Support And Treatment Facilities
Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous provide a vital lifeline for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorders, offering a sense of community and understanding.
These groups facilitate peer-to-peer support and shared experiences, creating a space where individuals can speak openly about their struggles without fear of judgment.
Treatment facilities offer residential treatment or outpatient tailored programs designed to address the unique needs of high-functioning alcoholics, providing medical supervision during the withdrawal process and equipping them with coping strategies for maintaining sobriety.
These facilities often employ a multidisciplinary approach, combining medical treatment, psychological counseling, and behavioral therapy to address the complex nature of addiction. The programs may include individual therapy sessions, group therapy, educational workshops on addiction, and relapse prevention planning.
In addition to traditional treatment methods, some facilities offer holistic therapies such as meditation, yoga, and art therapy, recognizing the importance of treating the whole person.
The Importance Of Mental Health Resources
Recognizing that alcoholism is not solely a physical dependency but also a mental health problem is crucial. Access to more mental health resources, including therapy and counseling, can help individuals address underlying issues contributing to their alcohol use and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
These resources are vital in treating the emotional and psychological aspects of alcoholism, which often include stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders that may co-occur with substance abuse.
By providing a supportive environment for open discussion about mental health, individuals can gain insights into the emotional triggers that lead to drinking and learn new strategies for managing these triggers.
Therapy can also assist in repairing relationships damaged by alcohol abuse, rebuilding trust, and improving communication skills. In addition, counseling can offer guidance on how to establish a balanced life. You can set achievable goals and create a supportive network that fosters their long-term recovery.
Treatment programs need to integrate mental health services as a core component of addiction recovery, called dual diagnosis treatment. This integration ensures that individuals receive a holistic approach to their treatment, addressing all facets of their well-being.
As society continues to destigmatize mental health issues, the hope is that more people will feel empowered to seek the help they need without fear of judgment or stigma.
Ultimately, enhancing the availability and accessibility of mental health resources is a critical step in supporting the recovery journey of functioning alcoholics. Their lasting sobriety helps improve their mental health issues.
High Functioning Alcoholics: Is There Such A Thing?
High-functioning alcoholics can often seem to have it all together, balancing significant responsibilities while battling their addiction in silence.
Despite heavy drinking, they are typically individuals who seem to lead productive lives. They often excel in their careers, maintain social relationships, and uphold daily routines.
This can make it difficult is difficult for others and sometimes even for the individuals themselves to recognize the problem, as their success often masks the underlying issues.
We can help individuals struggling with high-functioning alcoholism by raising awareness and providing support. This will help them regain control of their lives and improve their overall life.
How to Help a Colleague (...Who is Also Recovering)
Helping someone in recovery from alcoholism is as simple as learning the signs and subtly helping.
But remember they are on a journey, not at the destination. Part of that journey includes being open about their lives but not praying too much. A casual “How are you doing today?” can go a long way.
Be Responsible Yourself First!
Help your co-workers make healthy choices by creating a clean, responsible environment.
Don’t go to work events where the primary focus is drinking, and don’t invite them to join if you do.
Be mindful of their limits; never encourage or force them to drink more than they feel comfortable with.
If they make the choice to leave an event because others are drinking too heavily, offer to accompany them.
Find Alternative Activities
Encourage them to engage in healthy activities, even if it is during office breaks. You can go for a walk with them at lunch or get involved together in a wellness group at work.
Not only do these kinds of activities help alleviate stress, but they also give your colleague something positive to focus their energy on.
Plus, showing that you’re willing to invest in their well-being as professionally appropriate helps build a stronger working relationship between the two of you and gives them an added source of support while they recover.
Do not Get Too Personal
But still, you need to draw the line and not become too personal with them. You should only keep any conversations limited to work-related topics unless they would like to share them with you.
Be mindful of their personal space as well because, in the end, it is their own recovery.
Supporting a colleague in recovering from alcoholism requires empathy, respect, and understanding.
By being a supportive colleague, you help to not only nurture their recovery but also help foster an inclusive and compassionate workplace. Remember, it’s the little things that mean a lot.
Conclusion
It’s crucial to understand that high-functioning alcoholism is a real and serious condition. When you acknowledge its existence, you take the first step towards addressing the unique challenges it presents.
With the right resources and support systems, you can improve functioning alcoholic individuals to live a life free from alcohol. You can find them the help they need to recover from alcohol dependency.
Therefore, you need to know about functional alcoholism and identify functional alcoholic individuals.
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