Take a look at this month's edition of the Peace of Mind Post!
Try Something New! Peace of Mind Post I ’ve been riding horses my whole life. I’ve been told my mom even rode horses while she was pregnant with me! (That may not have been the best PICK UP A HOBBY THIS JANUARY JANUARY 2021
choice.) I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t riding horses, and it’s a hobby that I really enjoy to this day. It’s an opportunity for me to clear my mind, connect with nature, and find some peace. This January is National Hobby Month, and while I could write pages on my horse- riding hobby, I actually want to highlight another activity that didn’t come quite as naturally to me. I’ve been running since just after law school. I needed something that could distract me from the hours I spent studying for the bar exam, and the repetitive, active actions that running offered me were the perfect escape from legal briefs and the minutiae of state laws. After a while, it became a habit as well as a treasured hobby. But I didn’t just lace up my shoes one day, take off, and run miles effortlessly. (I wish!) I really had to learn how to breathe properly so I could prolong my time spent running and continue to improve. I also used to do this strange thing where I would run with one of my arms cranked up and by the end of the run, my hand would be very swollen. Obviously, I had to make a few adjustments. I asked a friend who was a college-level runner to give me a few pointers. She helped me correct the hand issue, and soon, I
managed to get control of my breath. As my time and distance improved, I fell more and more in love with the sport. I haven’t been able to run for a while, but I still enjoy participating in local events when I can, and running is still an activity that clears my mind. This month, I want to challenge you to do something similar. You don’t have to become a runner, but why not learn something new? In fact, scientists have found that learning something new could be great for your brain health. When we challenge ourselves, our brains create new neural pathways, which aid in cognition and memory. Your new hobby can be exercise for your brain! My best advice is to try something new and stick it out for a while. They say it takes at least 21 days to create a habit. While you may not love your new hobby, no one says you have to keep doing it forever. Give it an opportunity, and if you hate it, try something else.
It could help to ask a friend who has their own unique hobby to mentor you on what they do. You’ll get to know them more and learn something new! It’s also important that you consider your own personal schedule and timeline. For example, I’m more of a morning person, so if I’m going to do something, I’m more likely to complete it if I tackle it in the morning. This January, I hope you find a new hobby to enjoy. Hobbies can be our own personal escapes from this crazy, hectic world while offering healthy, powerful benefits. So, get out there and try something new! I can’t wait to hear all about your new hobby. Whether it’s horse riding, running, knitting, or stamp collecting, it’ll be worth it.
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HOW HABIT TRACKING AND DAILY RESOLUTIONS COULD TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE
3 QUESTIONS YO
When it comes to aging, many of us have goals that influence the decisions we make for our
care. However, these same goals can make us blind to reality. Choosing a later-in-life care option can be one of the wisest decisions you make for your health and longevity as well as your relationships. Here are three steps to determine what options are best for you. Question No. 1: What can you do? If you can get in and out of bed or chairs without falling, you can probably stay in your home. But maybe you need help with physical therapy or
Yearly resolutions are so last year … if they’re your only resolutions, that is.
Having long-term goals isn’t a bad thing, but do you have a daily plan to reach them? The huge boost of motivation in January isn’t always enough to sustain you all year long. That’s why there are major benefits to starting new healthy habits, whether you increase your weekly exercise time, eat healthier foods, or work on getting better or more sleep.
Luckily, sticking with these habits might be as easy as making daily resolutions to complement your yearly goals.
B.J. Fogg, a Stanford University professor and author of “Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything,” notes that tiny habits can make a new habit easy to implement into your daily ritual. For example, taking a short daily walk could lead to an exercise habit, or keeping an apple in your bag every day could encourage healthier snacking. It’s important that you stick with it because habits take a long time to create. One study published by the European Journal of Social Psychology asked people about a simple habit they wanted to form, like drinking water at lunch or taking a walk before dinner. They found that the average amount of time it took before the action became automatic was 66 days! Don’t be too hard on yourself if you miss a day, but know that sticking to a new habit is serious work, so starting small might help you out.
household chores. This could make in-home nursing care a great option for you. If you have more substantial needs, like mobility issues or memory concerns, or if you struggle to maintain your home, moving to a facility might be the best choice you make for your health. Winter is actually the best time to consider this question, as it’s often the time of the year when your home needs the most care. Be honest with what you can do and don’t be afraid to ask your loved ones (or our team) for advice.
SUDOKU
Another important aspect of forming new daily habits is rewarding yourself. Bad habits, like smoking, have an inherent reward. However, healthy habits can have rewards too! Try consuming a bit of dark chocolate after a workout or treating yourself to a fresh beverage or relaxing to a podcast after tackling an important task. Find ways to reward yourself, and you’ll be more likely to stick to your new habit. Certain daily resolutions don’t have to be related to exercise or diet to majorly improve your life. For example, having a gratitude journal might boost your long-term happiness by 10% and improve your blood pressure. Don’t hesitate to improve your quality of life! Just start small, and you’ll be amazed by how far you’ll go.
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re Is Right for You?
TACKLING THE TOUGH STUFF How Do You Talk to Family About Late-in-Life Care? We notice that many discussions about late-in-life care happen when families gather for the holidays, but this season was so unusual that you might have missed them with your own family. If so, we can’t think of a more important way to start 2021 than a talk with your loved ones about your desires during difficult times. Let’s be honest: It’s not an easy talk to have. They won’t want to contemplate anything bad happening to you, and that’s a good thing! Remind them that having a written plan for a variety of situations will make tough times easier, even if it’s hard to discuss in the moment. Be sure to thank them for working with you and let them know this is a chance for their voice to be heard as well. And their voices are important because there can be a lot to talk about. For now, though, let us get you started with these questions. • What are your long-term housing plans? Will you remain in your current home, or do you want something easier to manage — perhaps in a retirement community? What about an in-home caregiver? Would that person be a professional or a family member? Will you need a different living situation, such as assisted living or memory care? Will you move in with loved ones instead? • What is your retirement income situation and how might that change in the future? Will family be expected to contribute? Is your will up to date, and does it cover all your assets and property? Who is your executor? • Do you have a written plan for long-term health care? Does it cover your wishes in regards to resuscitation and other emergency procedures? Will you give someone power of attorney, and if so, who?
OU NEED TO ASK
Question No. 2: What can you afford?
In-home care is traditionally more expensive, but that can vary with the care standards and frequency you need. Senior apartments can offer the comfort of a community and the
amenities of a space designed for older adults, but they do come with restrictions. (This could include homeowners’ association fees or cable requirements.) Budgeting can help you and your family narrow down the options. Question No. 3: What do YOU want? Perhaps one of the biggest questions you need to answer can also be the most difficult.
You deserve to lead a full life regardless of where you live, and that is possible. The key is determining where you would be happiest. If you know you need a lot of care but fear burdening your family, then you might be more comfortable in a facility. You might also be adamant about staying home and want to do whatever you can to stay there. Both are viable solutions when you consider what you want for your life. It’s not always easy. If you need help determining what plan would be best for your family and you, contact our team at Trinity Elder Law today.
Birthday Cake Baked Oatmeal for One (Yes, Really) Did you know that January is National Oatmeal Month? If you tend to think of oatmeal as boring, this fun dessert-themed recipe just might change your mind. To go all out, top with a candle and a dollop of whipped cream.
INGREDIENTS
This can be just the tip of the iceberg, but it’s more than enough to start
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats • 1 browning banana, mashed • 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon • 1 tsp baking powder
a productive discussion and paint your desires in broad strokes. And remember, it’s not something you have to tackle alone. Our team is here to answer any questions you may have as well as work with you and your loved ones both now and during the difficult times in life. As always, we’re just a phone call away.
• Splash of vanilla extract • 1 tsp brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup • 2 tsp sprinkles
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat your oven to 350 F and prepare a small oven-safe dish. 2. In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the sprinkles. 3. Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish. 4. Bake for 25 minutes or until the oatmeal is golden brown. 5. Let the oatmeal cool slightly, top with sprinkles, and dig in!
Inspired by ItsTaylerMarie.org
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INSIDE This Issue
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Celebrate National Hobby Month by Learning Something New!
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How Habit Tracking and Daily Resolutions Could Transform Your Life 3 Questions to Ask When Choosing Care
Birthday Cake Baked Oatmeal for One (Yes, Really) Things Your Family Doesn’t Want to Talk About
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‘The Bachelorette’ Contestants Go to Court
‘The Bachelorette’ Contestants Go to Court JUDGE, WILL YOUACCEPT THIS ROSE?
The reality TV show “The Bachelorette” is known for being packed with drama, but last year there was just as much scandal among its contestants off-screen as there was while the cameras were rolling. Late in 2020, not one but two past “Bachelorette” contestants ended up in court. One of them was Chad Johnson, hailing from the group of hunks who competed for Bachelorette JoJo Fletcher’s attention in season 12. That season aired in 2016, but it wasn’t until two years later that Johnson sued Sunset Studios Entertainment and one of its executives, Cristina Cimino, for sexual harassment, failure to prevent harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud by intentional misrepresentation, and wrongful failure to hire in violation of public policy. According to Deadline, Cimino told Johnson she would help him get movie roles with her studio, but that never
happened. Instead, she allegedly lured him into in-person meetings and bombarded him with inappropriate calls and text messages. After years of back-and-forth, the case is finally moving forward. In July 2020, a judge ruled that all of Johnson’s accusations were proven except failure to hire. Upping the drama, Deadline reported that “no attorneys for Cimino or the studio participated in the hearing.” Meanwhile, another “Bachelorette” contestant, Luke Parker, has been ordered by the court to pay $100,000 for breach of contract. Parker, who vied for the affection of Hannah Brown in the 2019 season, has allegedly been making media appearances without the consent of the show’s production company, NZK Productions Inc. Each appearance was a breach of contract, and now he owes the company a pretty penny: $25,000 per appearance. According to Page Six, Parker might also
be on the hook for bad-mouthing the show and/or sharing information about what happened on set — both things his contract forbids. Hopefully, the 2021 season of “The Bachelorette,” which should air later this year following the postponed 2020 season, will feature less drama than these real-life legal battles.
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