ASK THE MONEY LADY USA
Dear Money Lady Readers:
I recently chatted with a senior in Florida, who introduced me to a new program he’s involved in, and I wanted to share this with you: CLIP – Complete Lifestyle Intervention Programme.
Modeled on the platform of health and wellness, the CLIP group helps seniors navigate their retirement years in a more health conscious manner to provide a better understanding of the five pillars of lifestyle medicine. These are: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and social connections.
We must remember that lifestyle in retirement isn’t all about how much money you have. Of course, money is important and having enough when you retire reduces your uncertainty. But how much is enough? If you have a home, have money in the bank and can live comfortably, why are we still so unhappy as we age?
I believe it is our mood, confidence and sense of self-worth that have a lot to do with it. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), increased social isolation, prolonged illness and disabilities, and the death of friends, spouses and siblings, all tend to be the number one factors that seniors contribute to unhappiness.
Life changes have always been inevitable, but they should never be something that contributes to your demise. A heath conscious lifestyle can indeed help you to live longer, reverse chronic diseases and provide you with a better standard of living day-to-day. As you age, the main reason for seeking the CLIP would be to become not just physically stronger, but also mentally stronger so you could be happier; easily able to better cope with change, and of course, be more content with your life.
According to the NIH, people actually tend to age the same in North America. Studies show that we all apparently have a similar biological aging process between men and women, however scientists have recently hypothesized that those people in western cultures tend to have specific accelerated periods of growth throughout their lives. The greatest bursts coming around ages 34, age 60 and when you reach 78. Most of us view aging as a gradual, linear process. However, it is possible to reverse this process or at least slow it down a little, with the five pillars of CLIP. This is something not just seniors should be doing, but all of us – so that we may enjoy every day as a gift.
Let me leave you with this thought: Think of each day as a new start, a new day that you can choose who you want to be. Remember, you didn’t happen to be where you are right now just by chance. You put yourself where you are today. You decided who to care for, what to say and what to do. Every decision you make in your life is an open opportunity. Only you can make the change to live better, do better and hopefully live longer.
Good Luck and Best Wishes,
Money Lady
Written by Christine Ibbotson, Author, Finance Writer and Syndicated Money Coach on BNN Bloomberg. Christine is also part of the everyday lineup on Good Morning America and CBS This Morning. No AI. If you have a money question you want answered FREE – send it to: info@askthemoneyladyusa.com.