Booming Encore

Muscles and Memory: The Brain-Boosting Benefits of Exercise Did you know that exercise not only sculpts your body but also sharpens your brain? Curious how? Read on. Exercise is more than just a way to stay physically fit; it’s a powerful tool for for building a healthier better brain! There is an extensive body of research indicating that exercise increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports neuron survival, growth, and differentiation. Often called "Miracle-Gro" for the brain, BDNF plays a critical role in brain plasticity, helping our brains adapt. Are you a walker or a runner? Studies show that aerobic activity, like walking or running, can increase the volume of the hippocampus—a region essential for memory formation and one of the first areas affected by Alzheimer’s disease. By boosting blood flow to the brain, exercise delivers more oxygen and essential nutrients, supporting brain cell growth, maintenance, and overall cognitive function. Lastly, another great benefit of movement is its impact on mood. Physical activity increases endorphin levels, the "feel-good" hormones that naturally lift mood and reduce cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. When I was a teenager, I became fascinated by how quickly exercise could shift my mood. Ever since, exercise has been an integral part of my life. While there are days I don’t feel like going to the gym or even lacing up my sneakers to take my dog for a walk, I know that moving my body is one of the best ways to feel better— both physically and psychologically. As I often tell my best friend, an increase in even one endorphin is worth the effort!   Exercise isn’t just about building muscles; it’s also about strengthening our mind, lifting our mood, and improving memory. So next time you’re debating a workout, remember that every step you take is an investment in a sharper, more resilient brain! Tomorrow, in week 4 of our FREE Brain Booster Challenge, hosted in association with Susan Williams of #BoomingEncore, we are going to chat about the magic of movement. Sign up! https://lnkd.in/errpbTXr To your health and longevity! Dr. Gill #HealthyAging #BrainHealth #LifelongLearning  #BoomingEncore #retirement #healthspan  #longevity #positiveaging Dr. Gill Gillian Leithman, PhD is the founder of Rewire to Retire a corporate training company that specializes in the design and delivery of pre-retirement planning programs and knowledge sharing initiatives. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/eXdt2Chw

Are you thinking about retiring but possibly then pivoting to something else? Then Anne Chow (She/Her) has some suggestions on how to make this transition. In Anne's article published in Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, she suggests that you; ✅ Plan ahead ✅ Think deeply about your "why" ✅ Do your homework ✅ Be prepared for some big identity shifts ✅ Don't ignore the financial realities Letting go of who you were is necessary in order to become who you want to be. As Anne says, “If you’re going to rewire, you should use the opportunity to reset yourself, not hang on to the glory days of the past.”. https://lnkd.in/eR67yUr7 #aging #longevity #retirement #retirementplanning #work #career #purpose #pivot

Just sent out this month's Booming News! We've got lots of interesting articles, series and webinars happening. Many thanks to Antoinette Petrillo CPRC, CFP, Gillian Leithman and wendy R. for their contributions. Check it out! 👉 https://lnkd.in/emntTz2w #aging #longevity #retirement #retirementplanning #retirementcoach #purpose #inspiration #encore #liveyourbestencore #health #brainhealth

Are you living your best encore? We are delighted to introduce you to a new series profiling people who are living theirs! In our series called "Living Your Best Encore", wendy R. curates the stories and experiences of people who are living theirs. She invites people to share their life experiences and authentic reflections on their personal triumphs, resilience, overcoming challenges, and the valuable lessons learned from regrets and mistakes - all in their own words. We are so pleased to introduce you to author, traveler and adventurer Maria Coffey as she kicks off our series. Read about Maria's inspiring story and what she has learned from her experiences why she appreciates everyday as she lives her best encore. https://lnkd.in/eDHta5dC #aging #longevity #purpose #experiences #lifelessons #inspiration #encore #liveyourbestencore

Retirement can be a wonderful time of life but often people miss work and would like to return but possibly in some other capacity. One that is a little less stressed but still provides them with connection and purpose. That was the question that was posed to Retirement Coach, Antoinette Petrillo CPRC, CFP in our "Ask a Retirement Coach" series. Toni shares some suggestions on how to approach this. As she says, "The goal in this new chapter isn’t to replicate the stress of your working years but to discover ways to stay engaged, contribute, and feel energized. You’ve earned the freedom to explore what this next phase looks like for you." Here's to living your best booming encore! https://lnkd.in/ezwdzW9n #aging #longevity #work #career #retirement #retirementplanning #purpose #askaretirementcoach

There is no shortage of fake or false information floating around out there. But how can you tell what is real and what is fake? The IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) has provided some guidance on how to spot whether something is fact or fiction; Consider the Source Who is generating this information? Check their website and their credentials. Does anyone else have the same story or are they alone in sharing it? Does the website tell you about them and who is on their team? Check the Author Who is writing the story? Are they credible? Are they real? Check the Date Check the date of the story. Often things can be re-posted so it’s no longer relevant. Check Your Biases Are you wanting to believe something because it aligns with your own thinking? Could your biases be actually affecting your judgement of whether something is real or not? Read Beyond the Headline Headlines are designed to get your interest. What is the actual story about? Is there any real and legitimate content or is it just a headline to grab your attention? Check the Sources Are the sources being cited actually legitimate and support the actual story? Is it a Joke? If it really seems outlandish, it’s possibly a joke and designed to just pull people in. Start at the beginning and check the source and also see if anyone else is actually reporting it. And here's one that we will add; Watch Out For Influencers’ Influences We love our influencers and celebrities and we want to believe what they tell us is true. But many times what they are saying – and endorsing – they may be paid by someone to do this and they are supposed to let you know they are. So before you completely believe something you read or watch, you may want to just double check it is in fact true. Unfortunately, sometimes what you see is not the whole truth. https://lnkd.in/eFNiGXqx #news #fakenews #deepfake #technology #socialmedia #truth

How's your balance these days? Can you stand on one leg for 30 seconds? Can you do this with your eyes closed? What about on your non-dominant leg? Some recent research has found that your balance may be an indicator of how well you're aging. "Changes in balance are noteworthy. If you have poor balance, you're at risk of falling, whether or not you're moving. Falls are a severe health risk with serious consequences." So why not take a baseline and see how well you do? The good news is that we have ways to strengthen our balance so if you do find you are a bit wobbly, start some strengthening exercises today - your long term health is depending on you. https://lnkd.in/em-FKYxB #aging #longevity #retirement #health #mobility #falls #balance

When you are travelling somewhere do you speak to strangers? Or when you're in the grocery store, do you talk to any other customers? Even though you may think that it may be a much more peaceful experience when done in solitude, talking to strangers may actually provide you with more happiness. As Gillian Leithman shares in her recent article, "We humans are social creatures, and connecting with others—even in small, casual encounters—can have a profound impact on our happiness." So maybe strike up a conversation the next time you're in a store or ordering a coffee. You never know what might happen - you may just add a smile to your day. https://lnkd.in/eQWV9qdu #aging #longevity #loneliness #happiness #socialconnections

Interested in discovering some ways to add 7 years to your life? Then you won't want to miss tomorrow's FREE Brain Booster Challenge webinar! Dr. Gillian Leithman will be sharing some really fascinating research and activities that we all can do to help support our health and longevity. Register today to secure your seat! For more information and to register --> https://lnkd.in/dbcXPP8g #aging #longevity #health #brainhealth #webinar #freewebinar #brainbooster