THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER ARE HERE!
STAY SHARP AS YOU AGE
MEET KEV IN ’ S PUPS , WINSTON AND QUINCY
August is part of the dog days of summer, so this seemed like the perfect time to introduce you to the Mottley family pups: Winston and Quincy. Winston (aka Winnie) is a 2-year-old Samoyed. He was bred to pull sleds in the Arctic, so he has a beautiful white coat and big black eyes. Unfortunately, the dog days of summer aren’t Winnie’s favorite time of year. When things heat up, his thick fur becomes a liability. He spends most of his time laying on top of the AC vents in our house. It’s a comical sight since he likes to lounge on his back with his feet in the air! In the winter, Winnie perks up, and his favorite thing to do is play with his toys. He has a massive toy basket, and when he gets into a playful mood, he acts like a kid with a toy chest. He’ll prance over to the basket, rummage around, and come up with the toy of the day in his mouth. Sometimes he gets bored with his options and steals stuffed animals from my daughters’ rooms. Then, he buries the spoils in his toy basket! Our other dog, Quincy, is just as clever. I’ve nicknamed him “Q” after the gadget guy from the James Bond movies. He’s a 12-year-old white bichon frise, but he still acts like a puppy. Most of the time people train their dogs, but somehow, Q has trained us. First, he somehow convinced me to let him sleep in the bed. Then, he roped me into a silly nighttime routine. At bedtime, he’ll come and sit at my feet, begging me to go to bed. Then, when I get up to do it, he’ll refuse to climb the stairs until I give him a treat! I’m not sure how we got into this pattern, but he definitely has me wrapped around his little paw. Do you have a pooch of your own at home? My team and I would love to hear about them. Post a photo on Twitter and tag us ( @MottleyLawFirm ) or send us a message on Facebook ( Facebook.com/MottleyLawFirm ).
While you may be happy for the years of wisdom you’ve gained since being in your 20s and 30s, you might be missing the mental sharpness you once had. Why not have the best of both worlds? Scientists have found that the human brain changes with age — neurons fire more slowly, for example, and short- term memory recall can be more challenging — but that we often underestimate our capacity to continue learning as we grow older. Negative stereotypes about aging can reinforce these beliefs. However, new research is showing that older adults who’ve committed to immersive study of a new subject show brain function akin to someone 30 years younger. This goes beyond the tired advice to do a crossword puzzle or work a sudoku puzzle every day. The participants in this research study were learning entirely new-to-them subjects, like how to speak a foreign language, use a new piece of technology, or make art.
Convinced of the benefits but not sure where to turn to learn? Try these two sources.
Most colleges are designed with the traditional, 20-something college student in mind, which may not appeal or be a great fit for adults in their 50s, 60s, and beyond. But many universities are starting to cater to an older crowd with lifelong learning programs. One example is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Washington (UW). UW’s program offers a full course schedule on subjects in the arts, sciences, and current events taught by qualified faculty and provided at an affordable rate. There are over 100 such programs at universities across the U.S. Have a longtime dream to write children’s books? UC San Diego Extension has a certificate program for that! If you’re looking to dive into a single subject or perhaps you’d like to continue working in retirement or shift gears later in your career, certificate programs are a great option. No previous education is required. Most certificate programs are open to all, typically run for less than a year, and easily accommodate part-time learners. Celebrate your years of hard-earned wisdom but commit to keeping your brain young by going back to school this fall.
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