Patriot Wealth - February 2022

Quality Sleep Promotes Healthy Aging THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD NIGHT’S REST

ELIMINATE UNHEALTHY SUBSTANCES. Limit your intake of caffeine and sugar throughout the day — especially right before bed — for better rest. It’s also best not to drink anything about an hour before bed, so you don’t wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and disrupt your sleep. REGULATE YOUR SLEEP SCHEDULE. Keeping the same schedule for sleeping can reap immediate benefits. You will notice increased alertness during waking hours as well as enhanced memory and attention span. You may also start to feel tired around the same time every day, ensuring that you will actually go to sleep right on schedule. It can take time and patience to adjust to new habits to improve sleep, especially for the elderly. It won’t happen overnight, but the benefits that come with a better night’s sleep will have you feeling younger and healthier than ever before. If anything, you will feel more engaged and happier throughout your daily life.

Sleep is an essential part of our lives, but it becomes even more important as we get older, as it’s a necessity for healthy aging and staying energized. Ideally, everyone should sleep between 7.5–9 hours a night, but as we get older, this becomes much harder to achieve. Health complaints, minor disturbances, and a decrease in melatonin levels make it difficult for seniors to get a full night of sleep, which can cause irritability and fatigue.

In order to combat these disturbances, here are a few things you can do to ensure you get enough sleep during the night.

BUILD AN ACTIVE DAILY ROUTINE. Outdoor exercise and general movement every day is good for your body, but being outside and absorbing sunlight can balance and optimize your melatonin levels, which can help you fall asleep easier. On top of exercise, try weaving protein- rich snacks and meals into your routine. Foods like light meat and nuts can improve sleep quality, and dairy foods contain tryptophan, which is a sleep-promoting chemical.

What Would Phil Connors Do? 3 Lessons on Retirement From Bill Murray’s Iconic Character

Every February, the U.S. turns its attention to Punxsutawney,

there are a few lessons you can derive about how to live a better retirement in “Groundhog Day.” FIND YOUR PASSIONS. In “Groundhog Day,” Murray’s character learns a new language, how to play the piano, ice sculpting techniques, and many, many other hobbies as a way of filling his day. Phil’s curiosity and dedication to each craft provides a simple lesson for pre-retirees who are unsure about what this next chapter will hold: Don’t be afraid to try something new. With a little commitment, you just might find a new hobby worth your time. IT WON’T ALWAYS BE EASY. Phil tries everything to escape his endless time-loop, even going so far as to hurt himself. Plagued by the prospect of unlimited time, Phil feels desperate

and hopeless. Similarly, it’s possible you may struggle with your mental health in retirement as you face “unlimited time.” Ultimately, Phil finds constructive ways to cope with his emotions, and he tries talking to others about his situation. If you’re struggling, seek professional help and support to find your way. YOU CAN’T CONTROL EVERYTHING. No matter how hard he tries or what he does, it takes Phil years to break the cycle of living the same day over and over and over, again. Ultimately, Phil learns that life is beyond control, and rather than fight it, he has to live in it. Likewise, your retirement is going to present scenarios you may struggle with, but ultimately, it’s how you choose to respond to those situations that will impact your attitude and life.

Pennsylvania, in hopes that a rodent will tell us the plight of winter weather that year. Groundhog Day has ancient roots in German history, and today, it’s a fun holiday steeped in tradition and lore. Adding to its story is the 1993 Bill Murray comedy “Groundhog Day.” In “Groundhog Day,” weatherman Phil Connors is tasked with reporting on Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, but in a seemingly magical turn of events, Phil is trapped in Punxsutawney and Feb. 2 — forever. Throughout the film, Murray embarks on a series of hilarious and serious misadventures, ultimately learning how to become a better person.

In the spirit of this cinematic classic, our team at Patriot Wealth discovered

P2 | PATRIOTWEALTHNC.COM

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