Take a look at our latest newsletter!
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2022
HOUSTONALEXANDER.COM
CALL US: 423-267-6715
THROUGH ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES TO STAY ACTIVE BE THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF
Connect with family and friends. Socializing is a powerful tool to inject more fun into your life. So, don’t shy away from attending get-togethers or joining clubs. Maybe even host your own event. Consider the following: • Playing cards, board games, etc. • Traveling to a new city with a group of friends or club • Trying different restaurants with your loved ones • Attending a play, concert, movie, etc. • Reconnecting with old friends through your high school or college alumni association • Joining a group interested in a similar hobby as you Learn something new. There are ample opportunities to learn something new, and this is the time to do it! Learning something new is beneficial at any age, and there’s a whole new avenue of possibilities that may reveal themselves. Try the following: • Take a cooking, art, dance, language, or computer class, and you can do these in person or online! • Try a new physical activity, like yoga or tai chi. • Learn a new musical instrument or language • Form or join a club that offers a hobby you have never tried.
Did you know that participating in enjoyable social activities can help support healthy aging? As you grow older, you may find yourself spending more time alone, and being socially isolated is not good for your health, but finding a fun hobby can create a sense of purpose in your daily life. Engaging in productive activities may help maintain your well-being and independence as you age. An active lifestyle is about more than just getting your steps in for the day. It includes activities that are meaningful to you and benefit your mind, spirit, and body. Each person has their own limit on the amount of time they can spend on social activities. What works for one person may not work for another, and it’s always important to remember that participating in activities should be enjoyable, not stressful. Try active games and sports. These activities can get you moving and offer the chance to do a little bit of exercise. It can be very satisfying, especially if you’re able to overcome obstacles or compete with other people in a friendly way.
• Master photoshop or photography • Plant a garden
Be more active in the community. Spending free time giving back to the community is a great opportunity to not only make a difference but possibly meet new people and acquire new skills! You don’t have to do this for any recognition, but it may make you feel better when you do some good for the world. These include: • Visit a community center and take part in its events and activities • Volunteer at a school, library, museum, hospital, or animal shelter • Serve meals or organize donations for people in need • Run errands for somebody with limited mobility or access to transportation • Organize a street, park, etc., cleanup through a local recreation center or community association • Help with gardening at a community garden or park As we age, it’s normal to not have the same stamina and abilities we once enjoyed in our younger years, but getting older doesn’t mean you can’t continue to do them. I know that living an active lifestyle isn’t always easy, but it’s the little things that get us back into the groove and let us continue enjoying life. 1 423-267-6715 | HoustonAlexander.com
Consider these activities: • Miniature golf or regular golf • Tennis • Pool • Shuffleboard
• Croquet • Bowling
Reusable Products That Are Actually Worth It
them for anyway. If you feel guilty about buying thousands of garbage-destined cotton swabs, give LastSwab a try. It’s an affordable, easy-to-clean, reusable silicone swab that’ll do the job — no guilt involved. No. 3: Dishwashing Soap — In Block Form Liquid soap has been the standard dishwashing soap for decades, but, believe it or not, a bar of dish soap is just as hygienic. Dish Block by No Tox Life is vegan soap that has no harsh chemicals or animal-based ingredients, and no excess plastic packaging. Just lather it against your sponge, and you’re ready to wash. No. 4: Bamboo Dish Cloth Did you know that microfiber cloths are non-recyclable microplastics? Instead, consider bamboo washcloths, which can be just as effective and longer lasting. They wash easily after use, and your paper towels will thank you. No. 5: Compostable iPhone Cases Don’t want your smartphone case collecting dust in a landfill 30 years from now? Consider a compostable case! Pela Case, for instance, uses Flaxstic, which is a flax straw-based bioplastic that is bendy and easy to grip. You might be surprised to find that Flaxstic will protect your phones for up to a 20-feet drop. These are just a few of the eco-friendly products sweeping the nation, but definitely some of our favorites. Giving them a try? Let us know what you think!
Maybe reusable grocery bags aren’t your bag, but you still want to save the environment — or even save money. Fear not! These eco-friendly products are sturdy, reliable, and will reduce waste in your home. No. 1: Silicone Stretch Lids Never buy plastic wrap to cover your food again! If you’re always out of lids or food coverings, a silicone food lid might be the answer you’re looking for. A single lid can fit any size container — even stock pots or half a watermelon. No. 2: Reusable Swab A package of 1,000 Q-tips will tell you “Do not use this product to clean your ears” — but we know that’s what we’re using
Wanted to Legally Change His Age The Man Who Felt 20 Years Younger
We’ve all heard about people legally changing their name or gender, but have you ever heard about someone trying to change their legal age? In 2018, a 69-year-old Dutch man named Emile Ratelband petitioned a court for permission to change his age. He wanted to alter the year he was born on his birth certificate by 20 years so he could be 49 years old. So, how did this case end? Let’s find out. What was his reasoning? Ratelband wanted to change his age because he argued that he felt 20 years younger. He said his doctors told him that he had the body of a younger man, and his health was far better than most men his age. He alleged that he experienced age discrimination because, being 69, he is limited in what he can do. If he were 49, he could buy a house and car and work more hours, and his chances on the dating app Tinder would improve if he were younger. What was the court’s decision? Ratelband’s argument did not convince the district court in the Dutch city of Arnhem. The court said there was no evidence that Ratelband had experienced age discrimination. It stated
that, unlike legally changing your name or gender, changing your age causes many problems such as the many rights and duties related to age, such as voting, attending school, military obligations, and pension. Although Ratelband has the freedom to feel 20 years younger, mentally and physically, he cannot legally change his age because of the legal and societal implications that would follow, the court added.
The district court rejected Ratelband’s request, but he plans to appeal.
In the Netherlands, the public doesn’t take Ratelband’s claims seriously. They even make fun of his international exposure and willingness to provide interviews worldwide to justify his wishes. So what do you think of this legal case? Is age just a number? Let us know your thoughts!
2
423-267-6715 | HoustonAlexander.com
NEVER A DULL MOMENT Why We Should Live for Today
TA TA W
We can’t change the past, nor can we predict or guarantee the future. In the end, all we have is the present, yet most of us live our lives ignoring its many possibilities. It’s easy to tune out the life around you, especially if you do many of the same things every day. Taking care of the kids, commuting, working, and running errands can blur together. Just as bad, when life isn’t going the way we want, it’s easy to fantasize about how things “should” be or how they once were. When we live busy or stressful lives, worrying or planning can also make us feel more in control. The problem with these strategies is that they don’t change anything. They help us discount the only thing we can control: what we do now. Life can pass you by that way if you’re not careful. The solution is to exist in the present moment as much as possible and enjoy the good things around us while we have them. Studies show that living this way makes people happier, healthier, and more likely to form strong relationships.
But how do you even get started? The process requires a different way of thinking called mindfulness. Mindfulness is about focusing on what is happening in the present moment — not that work deadline, the movie you just watched, what’s for dinner, or the kids’ extracurricular schedule. It takes practice, and many people use meditation or breathing to help. When mindful, we concentrate on what others say and become more fully present. We also start to notice the small things we usually overlook: the cool breeze on our skin, the sound of the birds, the feel of a sweater, or the sight of our loved ones smiling. Our lives become fuller. And our stress decreases because we’re not clinging to things beyond our command. No one ever stops worrying entirely, and some planning is necessary to live a successful life. But too much can leave us with no energy or time to enjoy it. John Lennon once sang, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Start living in the present so you don’t blink and miss yours.
“Johnny provided excellent defense in my case. Extremely knowledgeable, professional, and his years of experience our clients say it best were evident, as he not only knew the law, but how to apply it to help my defense. I couldn’t have asked for better representation.” –James 423-267-6715 | HoustonAlexander.com 3
CONGRATULATIONS AMANDA DUNN! With mixed feelings of pride and sadness, we would like to announce that Amanda Dunn is leaving Houston & Alexander and has already been sworn in as judge for Division II of Hamilton County Criminal Court. Amanda was chosen by Governor Bill Lee to replace the Honorable Tom Greenholtz who is now with the Tennessee Court of Appeals. She will be finishing some of her cases here but is already working full- time in her new position. Although we will miss her work ethic and trial experience, our loss is Hamilton County’s gain. Congratulations Judge Dunn!
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
HoustonAlexander.com CALL US: 423-267-6715
3417 Dayton Boulevard Chattanooga, TN 37415
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Leisure Activities and Hobbies to Try PAGE 1
Reliable, Eco-Friendly Items You’ll Love
PAGE 2
Age Is Just a Number
PAGE 2
Taking Each Moment as It Comes
PAGE 3
Congratulations Judge Dunn!
PAGE 3
Our Clients Say It Best
PAGE 3
4 Tips for Being More Mindful
PAGE 4
EMBRACING THE POWER OF NOW 4 TIPS FOR PRACTICING MINDFULNESS
Slow down. Try savoring the process of a task, even if it isn’t your favorite thing to do. Paying deliberate attention to your daily actions and activities, like doing the dishes or even folding laundry, promotes healthy focus and reduces feelings of being overwhelmed.
Have you ever sat down to eat a bowl of ice cream, then looked down a minute or two later to notice you only have one bite left? What about reaching your destination in the car and not recalling one thing about the entire trip? With the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s tough to be present 100% of the time, but we shouldn’t let our minds go on autopilot. Not only can this be a safety hazard, but it may also impact important relationships and reduce our enjoyment and satisfaction. With busy schedules and long to-do lists, how can we be more mindful? Here are four tips to help you embrace the power of now!
Get moving. Incorporating exercise and movement into your daily
routine helps you to become aware of your body’s sensations. You’ll be more appreciative of how your body responds to different stimuli and movements, and this trains you to be more aware of yourself.
Use the power of meditation. You don’t need to meditate for a long time, and it certainly doesn’t require special poses or guidance. But taking just five minutes out of your day to focus on your breathing and clear your mind counts as meditation. It can help you to be more aware, present, and productive, especially in times of stress.
Practice mindful eating. Do you always eat in front of the television or computer? Try eating without distractions, dine in good company, or pay closer attention to flavors and textures of the meal — it’s good for both your body and soul!
4
423-267-6715 | HoustonAlexander.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator