Latest news with #HealthyAging
Forbes
09-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Plan Your Retirement And Improve Your Mental And Physical Health
Plan your retirement, reduce your stress, improve your mental health. I recently returned from the Healthy Aging 2025 Conference at Stanford University, sponsored by the Longevity Project. This fascinating conference focused on research-based solutions for improving our physical and mental health. One topic that piqued my interest—as it's something I've long believed—was the finding that financial stress is a top concern of pre-retirees and retirees. This stress can negatively impact your mental health, which in turn can worsen your physical health. This stress can be particularly acute for women, who face a double whammy regarding their retirement finances: Compared to men, they often live longer but have fewer financial resources to draw from. If you're feeling this type of stress, what can you do to address it? The most important action is to make a realistic financial plan for transitioning into retirement and living through the rest of your life. While it may take some time to develop and implement your plan, it's a wise investment given the stakes. Let's look at the steps you can take to create such a plan. To best manage your money in retirement, it's essential to make sure that your lifetime retirement income will pay for your living expenses throughout your life. The formula to follow is I > E, or your regular retirement income should be greater than your living expenses. Balancing this formula will go a long way to making your retirement financially sustainable. You'll want to build sources of retirement income that will last the rest of your life, no matter how long you live. These sources include Social Security, a pension if you have one, lifetime annuities you can buy from an insurance company, and carefully designed systematic withdrawals from invested assets. You'll also want to prepare a budget for your living expenses that analyzes how your expenses might change in retirement. You'll want to identify your must-have and nice-to-have expenses. And if you find that you're spending more than your retirement income provides, you'll want to look for ways to reduce your spending—before you end up in a financial crisis. There are a handful of risks that can upset your careful plans to balance the common-sense formula for retirement security described previously. These risks include high health care costs, the stock market crashes that are inevitable during a long retirement, expensive home or car repairs, and increased costs due to frailty late in your life. Taken together, these risks fall into the category of 'longevity risks,' which can be broadly defined as anything that can go wrong during a long retirement. Fortunately, there are strategies you can adopt to address each of these risks, including improving your health with realistic lifestyle changes, choosing the right mix of investments, purchasing the right medical insurance to supplement Medicare, and developing a strategy to pay for long-term care. While it will take some time to develop the right strategies to protect yourself, consider it part of your 'retirement job.' The Healthy Aging 2025 conference presented many suggestions for improving and maintaining your health, including addressing the foundations of good health in your later years: exercise, nutrition, and sufficient sleep. Ironically, speakers addressed the difference between 'good stress' and 'bad stress.' Good stress motivates you to take action to address the source of your stress. Bad stress is chronic stress that results from consistent and persistent stresses that continue for long periods of time. This distinction is particularly appropriate for financial stress for retirees and pre-retirees, since procrastination often prevents people from being proactive about facing their financial challenges. Another common concern among older Americans is that they'll be a burden on their family in their later years. If you adopt strategies that will help you address the risks discussed above, you'll reduce the odds of being a burden on your family. Much of the planning described here might be beyond your skills and experience, which is entirely understandable. For help, you might want to work with a retirement advisor who has the specialized training and skills to help pre-retirees and retirees and has your best interests at heart. If you decide to go this route, you'll want to shop carefully for a retirement advisor, since it's one of the most important decisions you'll make to manage the rest of your life. The bottom line for a more stress-free retirement? Plan, plan, plan. You'll feel better, both mentally and physically, if you set some plans in place, and you're more likely to enjoy your retirement even more.
Gulf News
13-03-2025
- Health
- Gulf News
Tea-riffic choices: Oolong to chamomile, which tea is best for your health and mood?
Want to wind down before bed? A cup of chamomile tea proves to be calming and will help you sleep better. Shutterstock Ah, it's always tea time, as the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland wisely said. There's always something deeply comforting about a hot brew, be it a morning pick-me-up or the evening wind-down. Avoiding the coffee debate, it's clear that tea offers just as many benefits—packed with antioxidants, calming properties, and even metabolism-boosting magic. From classic green tea to floral infusions, here are the different types of tea and why they deserve a spot in your daily routine, as explained by clinical dieticians. If teas had a 'most famous' category, green tea would win hands down. As Dubai-based Shama Chatterjee, a clinical dietician explains, It's filled with catechins, powerful antioxidants that help fight cell damage and support heart health. Notably, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a prominent catechin in green tea, has been extensively studied for its positive effects on cardiovascular health. Moreover, according a recent Japanese study involving nearly 9,000 older adults found that those who consumed three or more cups of green tea daily had significantly fewer cerebral white matter lesions, which are indicators of cognitive decline. This aligns with previous research highlighting green tea's cognitive benefits. Best time to drink: Morning or early afternoon for a gentle energy boost without the jitters. Try it if: You want a clean, refreshing tea that supports weight management and overall wellness. Black tea: Bold and filled with energy For those who prefer a stronger, more robust flavour, black tea is the way to go. 'It's rich in theaflavins, which support heart health, reduce cholesterol, and improve gut health, and its caffeine content makes it a great coffee alternative,' adds Chatterjee. One 2016 study, published in Healthy Aging , found that regular consumption of black tea, along with oolong and green tea, was linked to a reduced risk of neurocognitive disorders like dementia, particularly among elderly women. If green tea isn't your cup of tea, black tea might be a great alternative for supporting metabolic health. A British Medical Journal review suggests it could help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Black tea is also rich in flavonoids, plant-based compounds known for their potential health benefits. Research indicates that a flavonoid-rich diet may offer protective effects against cancer and heart disease. Best time to drink: Morning or midday for sustained energy and focus. Try it if: You enjoy a bold, slightly malty taste and need an extra kick to power through your day. Oolong tea: The metabolism boost Sitting between green and black tea in terms of oxidation, oolong tea combines the best of both worlds. Nidhi Sethi, a Dubai-based dietician explains, 'It's known for aiding digestion and boosting metabolism, making it a great choice if you're looking to support weight management. Plus, it's packed with polyphenols that support brain function and heart health.' If you're looking for a tea that might support your weight goals, oolong could be a great pick. Some research suggests that oolong tea extract may help reduce body fat and even play a role in preventing obesity. But before we call it a magic weight-loss brew, more studies are needed to confirm its effects. Beyond weight management, oolong tea is packed with potential health perks. A 2022 review highlighted its powerful antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and even anticancer properties. Best time to drink: Midday, especially after meals, to aid digestion. Try it if: You love a tea with a rich, slightly floral, and complex flavour. The least processed of all teas, white tea is light, delicate, and brimming with antioxidants. It's often linked to skin health, as it helps combat premature aging and protects against UV damage. It's also known to support heart health and immune function, according to both Chatterjee and Sethi. Best time to drink: Any time of day—it's naturally low in caffeine, making it a great all-day option. Try it if: You want a mild, refreshing tea that benefits both your skin and overall wellness. Herbal teas: Medicine's nature cabinet From chamomile to peppermint, herbal teas offer natural remedies for everything from relaxation to digestion. Chamomile: Want to wind down before bed? A cup of chamomile tea proves to be calming and will help you sleep better. It could also give your immune system a little boost, One review found that it might help stimulate immune function, though the researchers pointed out that more clinical trials are needed to confirm this. A 2022 review, published on the National Library of Medicine, also uncovered that chamomile might have some impressive benefits, like anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and blood-pressure-lowering properties. Peppermint: Great for digestion, relieves headaches, and refreshes the senses. Peppermint is packed with menthol, a compound that helps relax the intestinal tract and can ease bloating, explains Chatterjee. Ginger: Tummy troubles? Ginger tea to the rescue. It is helpful for immunity, digestion, and inflammation, and can help with nausea too. Rooibos: Rich in antioxidants and good for heart health. Best time to drink: Evening or when you need a caffeine-free moment of relaxation. Try it if: You want a soothing, natural remedy for stress, digestion, or overall well-being. Matcha: The Zen superfood Matcha is essentially green tea, but tougher. Made from finely ground green tea leaves, it's loaded with L-theanine, which promotes relaxation without drowsiness. It's also an energy booster, metabolism revver, and antioxidant powerhouse. Best time to drink: Morning or before a workout for sustained energy. Try it if: You love a creamy, earthy tea that packs a nutritional punch. Sign up for the Daily Briefing Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
