As we move merrily along into our so-called midlife, it's not uncommon to feel pesky, everyday aches and pains from things like headaches, back pain, arthritis, sciatica...the list goes on. Because I exercise pretty frequently, it's not unusual for me to feel pain from time to time (yes, I'll admit pushing myself beyond my reasonable limits every once in a while!). I suffer from sciatica pain … [Read more...] about Tylenol and Advil: Not Created Equal for Pain Relief
Old Age is the New Middle Age
When the idea of starting my own blog was just a so-called 'twinkle in my eye,' I spent a lot of time coming up with what to call it. What was the right name? I knew what I wanted to write about - midlife - that period of time when you think you have it all figured out but then realize that no one ever has it all figured out. That time in your life when you can look back on all your … [Read more...] about Old Age is the New Middle Age
Is Bruce Jenner Having a Midlife Crisis?
Yesterday at the gym while stretching post-workout, I overheard two women talking about Bruce Jenner's recent announcement that he was transitioning into a woman. (I wasn't exactly eavesdropping; if you saw the small area devoted to stretching, you'd understand why it isn't easy to ignore nearby conversations.) "Why do you think he waited so long to come out with that?" asked one. (I had … [Read more...] about Is Bruce Jenner Having a Midlife Crisis?
Aging (and Why You Sometimes Need to Pucker Up!)
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of turning a virtual friend into a "real" friend when fellow writer Ruth Pennebaker moved from her native Texas to New York City with her husband for a year. I found Ruth to be as brilliant and witty in person as she was on the page and after spending time with her, I always felt enriched and somehow smarter. When Ruth told me she was working on another book … [Read more...] about Aging (and Why You Sometimes Need to Pucker Up!)
What Wake-Up Calls Teach Us
Not to be all depressing and morose, but this past week has been kind of sad. I've heard one bad story after another. A friend's 17-year-old daughter diagnosed with ovarian cancer; a cousin's 28-year old son's thyroid cancer diagnosis; a co-worker of my husbands with a blood disease so rare I've never heard of it nor can I pronounce it or understand just how the body can turn on itself that … [Read more...] about What Wake-Up Calls Teach Us
Menopause and Anxiety
Why do some women going through menopause feel like they're out of control, irritable, short- fused and just plain crazy? And why do others pass through seamlessly with nary a hot flash or mood swing? Back in 2005, when blogging was still fairly new, I created the blog, Midlife Matters. As a health writer, I was excited about sharing accurate and timely health information in an intimate … [Read more...] about Menopause and Anxiety
Why Second Opinions Count
Actress Rita Wilson, who recently announced her breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent double mastectomy, did the right thing when she sought out a second opinion. And doing so might have saved her life. But too many of us are hesitant to question a medical diagnosis: a 2005 Gallup Poll that surveyed 5,000 Americans found that about half reported "never" seeking a second opinion and a paltry … [Read more...] about Why Second Opinions Count
Natural Beauty: It Keeps Getting More Expensive
Spoiler Alert: If you love a giveaway (and who doesn't?), read all the way through! As I get older, I realize that this so-called thing, "natural beauty," gets more and more expensive as we age. I think I'd have a lot more money - and a lot more time - if I didn't care so much about covering my gray, having nice nails (to deflect from the age spots on my hands), taming my frizz and … [Read more...] about Natural Beauty: It Keeps Getting More Expensive
Fitness Expert Joel Harper: How To Train for a Half-Marathon
One of the most exciting and fulfilling things I recently did was complete my very first half-marathon. I never like to use this so-called midlife as an excuse not to do or try something new, but I must admit that I was a just bit wary that I might not be able to do it. But... I did it! And what a feeling of accomplishment that was. So now I'm anxious to spread the message that you can do it, … [Read more...] about Fitness Expert Joel Harper: How To Train for a Half-Marathon
What Does it Take To Be Happy?
Happiness is such a loaded emotion. Some days I wake up feeling happy. Others, not so much. Especially in this so-called midlife, when so many things around me are in flux. But since it feels so much better to feel happy than to feel unhappy - not to mention the health-enhancing effects of happiness - throughout "those" days when I am inexplicably cranky, moody or just plain unhappy, I try to … [Read more...] about What Does it Take To Be Happy?