Healthy Aging Starting in your Home



We can all appreciate the term, aging gracefully. Do we know exactly what this means? When we think of growing older, it is always affiliated with pain and discomfort. We read about ways to improve our inner mind and body but the focus should also be about our environment. By taking care of our surroundings of where you reside, can lead us to a healthy and happy years to come.

It is said that home is where the heart is, and your home should be a place of sanctuary. It should not be a source of element and emotional stress. Creating a healthy home is more complicated than you think. Many of us have allergies that sometimes lead to illness. You may want to remove unwanted carpets or other dust catchers, bathing pets on a regular basis, and investing in an air filter. You will find dehumidifiers and humidifiers online, which can help reduce elements in your home that causes allergies.

Your home should be nurturing. If there is lack of comfort in your living space, try the following:

Bring the outdoors in. Cut flowers bring in pieces of rocks or other natural elements that gives you a sense of nature.

Put green plants in your home. This is essential to filtering indoor pollutants. The recommendation for the quantity of plants is two plants to every 100 feet. In addition, the plants will distribute natural oxygen throughout your home. What a great way to live a healthy aging life.

Fewer items means less frustration, clean out the clutter, let go of the things you do not use or need. If you think you need these items, sit down and weigh out the pros and cons. If you see that the cons are higher than the pros, get rid of it. Let it go.

In addition, take advantage of the sun; allow as much sunlight as possible to flow through your house. This gives you're home a feeling of warmth. Take care that you avoid direct sunlight however for prolonged periods, since the sun can cause harm.

Did you know that colors effect your emotionally and affect the way you feel in a home? Every color has a significant meaning that could represent our physical and mental state. For instance:

Red room: Energizing, supports energy and passion and creates movement. Great for an exercise room, not beneficial in your bedroom.

Yellow room: Inspires organization, intellectual clarity with happy thinking. Even by using the color yellow as accents instead of painting, all walls will be positive.

Green room: Brings balance and tranquility but has the same energizing qualities. Often used as a calming place for thinking for people in trouble or just needing to feel refreshed, since natural is our first established home. We all love nature, rather most of us do. Green plants, flowers, etc all bring nature into focus, which makes the heart feel good.

White room: Essential for feeling cleansed and purified. Remember that too much white brings a sterile environment that can also become isolated. Make sure to accent a white room with a vibrant color when painting all white. This is a perfect color for ceilings to brighten up with sunlight.

Improving your life could easily start in the home, whether its trying something new with something natural or changing a color, these are easy methods to create harmony and balance in your surroundings, not to mention inspiration and warmth. The more effort you put into aging healthy, the more you will see good results.


Tip: Animals has proven to be a source of healing. Allow a friendly critter to touch your heart.

Retiring in Florida



When mentioning retirement, one of the first things that comes to mind is the state of Florida. According to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, since 1980, the Sunshine State's population has grown an average of 873 new residents every day. Many of those newcomers are coming to enjoy a Florida retirement, seeking a warmer climate in a Florida retirement community. But besides climate factors, there are many advantages for those who retire to Florida thanks to some generous state incentives and an active, vibrant senior community.

However, before electing for Florida retirement, do your homework. Researching the best places to retire in Florida and finding a good Florida retirement community is essential before you pull up stakes and move. Your first step should be to contact the Florida Chamber of Commerce. They can provide a wealth of free information and pass you along to local chambers of commerce in those areas you are considering as a place to retire. Also, don't forget your public library, which might also carry Florida newspapers. This is a great way to get the feel of the place first before actually going there.

Many people choose Florida retirement because of the gentle semi-tropical climate that graces the best places to retire in Florida. Florida's climate ranges from temperate in the north to subtropical in the south. Winter temperatures range from an average of 51 degrees F in the north to 70 degrees F along the southern Atlantic coast. Average summer temperatures are remarkably uniform throughout the state, ranging in the mid-to-low 80s. Precipitation averages about 50 inches annually, with most of the rain occurring during the summer months.

If you are considering Florida retirement in a Florida retirement community, you should decide what you want in a Florida retirement home. If you want to find the most senior-friendly counties, the counties with the largest percentages of people age 65 and older are Charlotte (35%), Highlands (33%), Citrus (32%), and Sarasota (31%).

Florida retirement is a big enough industry that the state has perks for people who retire in Florida. Florida residents are entitled to property tax exemptions of up to $25,000 on the assessed value of owner-or dependent-occupied homesteads. To become a resident of Florida, a person must establish a home or a permanent dwelling place and demonstrate the intent to make Florida the place of permanent legal residence. There is no fixed waiting period. Simply file a sworn statement with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where your new residence is located.