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Life sometimes takes us down an unpredictable path. Find your financial footing once your primary earning years have passed.Millions of people in their 50s and 60s find themselves facing job and financial insecurity. Financial wellness can be defined as the amount that makes you feel grounded and content. You have to find a textured and meaningful life on a modest income. As you age, you may not be considered for jobs that pay as much as the last job you left. Consider taking a freelance position or two in order to generate income. Short consultancies, subletting rooms in your home and driving for a ride share service are options. Things beyond your control may have landed you in your current financial state. You can learn from past mistakes, but the economic state of the country doesn’t boost your savings. Listen as Elizabeth White joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to find your financial footing over 50.

Yoga is a fantastic way to improve mobility while taking it easy on your joints.When you reach a certain age, finding the right low-impact fitness can be a challenge. Yoga is a great option for middle-aged individuals to strengthen muscles and maintain mobility. Mid-life is roughly defined as ages 45 to 65. It’s a peak time for career-minded individuals, and the hustle and bustle of running a household is also a challenge. Yoga encourages stress reduction and mindfulness. Listen as Dennis and Kathy Lang join Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how yoga can benefit you in mid-life.

Men face specific challenges as they grow older.Men 50 and over have a lot of opportunity ahead of them. The trick is to be healthy to enjoy them. Older men often become more sedentary and neglect their health. Oftentimes, partners have to motivate them to get necessary screenings and make lifestyle changes to live longer. Tips for Men in Middle Years Get to know what’s most important in your life. Work to enhance those relationships. Eat sensibly. Cut out vices like smoking and alcohol. Get a good night’s sleep. Learn to adapt as you age and your body’s skills decline in certain areas. For partners, it’s ideal to be supportive and encourage longevity. However, you sometimes have to take control so the life-preserving actions can happen. Listen as Louis Bezich joins Melanie Cole, MS to discuss how to find fulfillment as you grow older.

What's the deal with perimenopause?Menopause ends the female reproduction window. Perimenopause is like adult puberty, the transition from regular menstrual cycles to one year without periods. Perimenopause is tough to define. Symptoms can occur for three to five years or longer. Menopause occurs when the ovaries have fully retired. Heavy or light periods, irregular bleeding, vaginal dryness, hot flashes and night sweats may pop up as the ovaries wind down their work. Until the ovaries shut down completely, it’s going to be a bumpy ride. Progesterone may be prescribed by your provider to even things out. Some over the counter products like black cohosh may provide some relief from symptoms. Listen as Dr. Mary Jane Minkin joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss what to expect from perimenopause.

Celebrate the joys of diverse cultures through Americanized food.Different cultures contribute to our culinary melting pot. The flavors of American foods alter with these new contributions, influencing generations to come. What was once known as “foreign” food eventually becomes adopted and Americanized. It’s inevitable that food changes as it mixes with American cultures. Lack of unique ingredients and brushing up against other cultures gives food a new identity. Americans are spoiled, as we can enjoy a panoply of flavors every day. The strength of our country is in our differences and should be celebrated. Be adventurous and try something new. Listen as Chef Edward Lee joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how Americanized foods are worthy of celebration.

It can be tough when your children move away. You're not alone.Parents can feel an emotional upheaval when their children venture off to find their fortunes. Empty nest syndrome is legitimate. From the moment the child is born, the focus of a parent becomes the best survival of that child. While watching out for the next milestone, personal activities and relationships can fall away. Start asking yourself what you’d like to be doing. What is fun for you? Re-engage with those things. Find time for yourself before your child leaves the nest so you can start to reclaim friendships and discover new interests for yourself. Listen as Samantha Lewis joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to prepare yourself for and survive empty nest syndrome.

Find out how to endure difficult and toxic people in time for the holidays.It’s not uncommon to have at least one person in your life who stresses you out. Holidays can force interactions with toxic family members. First, don’t take their toxicity personally. It’s often not about you. They may misdirect upset from other aspects of their own lives. You don’t have to have this person in your life regularly. If you are upset with someone, acknowledge the different viewpoint. “Interesting point-of-view; I have this point-of-view.” Unexpressed to the source of stress, this can help you handle their opinions. Repeat to yourself until you don’t feel as charged up about it. Additionally, you can be a kind and caring person without a toxic person in your life. It is a kindness to let them go. Be good to yourself and live your life without this person as a regular participant in it. Listen as Doris Schachenhofer joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how you can interact with toxic individuals... or not.

Aside from personal safety, a significant concern when leaving an abuser is financial well-being.Victims of abuse (physical, sexual, verbal) are often fearful of leaving the abuser for a number of reasons. Aside from personal safety, a significant concern is financial well-being. Many times, the "bread winner" of the household is the abuser, making it problematic for the abused to leave the relationship.  Rosemary Lombardy is a financial advisor with over 35 years of experience. Although her professional expertise is in financial matters, her perspective on marital abuse, divorce, and recovery is deeply heartfelt and holistic, having gone through her own abusive situation. Rosemary has some helpful tips for anyone who is in a dire situation and needs to seek help: Personal safety is the number-one priority. If you believe physical abuse is imminent, you have to protect yourself and your children. Never leave your children behind. This could be considered abandonment or be perceived as the abused falsifying accounts of the abuse. Before you leave or alert your partner you're filing for divorce, set aside cash and get a credit card in your name only. Transfer half of any jointly-held funds to another account, and have those bank statements sent to a PO Box or an address that is not your home. Make copies of bank statements or any other important documents. Store this "evidence" somewhere safe outside the home. Prepare a go-to bag, with cash, driver's license/passport, clothes, toys for kids, birth certificates, marriage certificate, medical and immunization records, prescriptions, insurance information, legal documents, and a restraining order if you have one. Document the abuse, take photos, and write down the name of any law enforcement officers you speak with. Keep "incriminating" emails, such as threats from your abuser or evidence of infidelity. If you're unable to afford legal help, shelters often provide a lot of assistance, such as free or reduced cost legal counsel, therapy, and job assistance if you've been out of the workforce. If you can, Rosemary suggests getting the advice of a financial expert in addition to your attorney. Listen in as Rosemary joins host Melanie Cole, MS, to learn more about the "right" way to get out of a bad situation and additional resources for those who are suffering abuse.

Find out why warming up and cooling down are so important.Warming up and cooling down are both important parts of any workout. People want to get to the meat of the workout, skipping these necessary parts. The warmup gets the muscles warm and pliable, making them ready for a complete workout. It also helps focus the mind on the work that’s to come. Blood flow is increased to the muscles and other parts of the body.  Tailor the warmup to the activity you’re about to undertake. Do the warmup close to the time you’ll be engaging in the activity so your body doesn’t cool off before you begin. The cooldown helps your heart settle down. It gives the lactic acid from the workout a chance to clear out a bit. If your head is above your heart during the main workout, the blood is pushed to the lower body. Cooling down allows the blood to return to other parts of the body, reducing lightheadedness after exercise. Listen as Dr. Brian Parr joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss the importance of warming up and cooling down.

Make the most of your dates to find your mate.What conversations should you have with your potential mate to know your love will last a lifetime? If conversations start out harsh, the relationship will often break down into loneliness and unhappiness for both parties. Conversations where each partner discusses the positive things they need tend to go smoother. You don’t have to hook up with your clone. In fact, someone a little different from you makes it interesting. You can learn from each other. Here are the topics that make a date easy and enjoyable, while giving you the information you seek quickly: Trust Conflict Sex and intimacy Work and money Family and children Fun and adventure Sacred beliefs and values Dreams for life Discussing the history, experiences and preferences with each of these topics will help both of you see if this is a relationship worth pursuing. Listen as Dr. John Gottman joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to have the conversations for a lasting love.

Men can navigate the modern landscape of relationships.The modern man can redefine himself. “Man up” no longer applies, because men’s roles have changed over the past century. Men need to create safe spaces in their relationships. Communication is key. They also need to practice self-care and express their feelings to their partners. The journey of manhood doesn’t end. You can be any man you want as long as you stick to your truth. Listen as John Kim joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how men can embrace manhood while maintaining integrity.

What happens when you enter menopause?Women of a certain age go through a transition from child-bearing possibilities to menopause. Menopause is declared when one has gone a full year without a period. Menstrual irregularity is common, but when related to perimenopause it kicks in between age 35 and 60. Hot flashes, night sweats and sleeping disturbances are normal American female complaints during perimenopause. If it’s been a year since your last period and you experience vaginal bleeding, contact your gynecologist. Make sure you feel comfortable with your health care provider so you can discuss your menopausal concerns openly. Listen as Dr. Mary Jane Minkin joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss what to expect when you reach menopause.

Find out how to help yourself heal from trauma.Trauma is subjective. It’s hard to measure and understand. Its effects can be physical or mental. Yoga has been proven to assist in healing from trauma. It promotes mindfulness and can help people let go. A simple start you can do anywhere is focusing on your breath. Put your hand on your belly and concentrate on your breath. Your diet impacts your mental health and ability to heal. Eat foods that support gut health. You may notice some of the physical symptoms associated with trauma subside. Listen as Liz Arch joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to help yourself heal from trauma.

How can you help a grieving loved one?Losing someone is incredibly tough. However, we tend to run away from grief situations. It’s easier for things to be happy and light. We need to process our own sadness instead of running from it. Don’t push friends to move past that grief. Feelings can build up from traumatic losses that aren’t discharged. Helping Your Mourning Friend Don’t say “I know how you feel.” Everyone has a unique grief journey and healing process. Ask “What can I do to help now?” The bereaved may not have the energy to make a request. Instead of offering to share a meal any time, ask when you can dine together. See when and how you can help. They may feel worse a few months later than when the loss initially occurred. Check in a few months later. They need casseroles and love beyond the first few weeks. For The Grieving Grief changes over time.  Take breaks from grief to find some happiness as the marathon of feelings continues. Get plenty of sleep. Nurture your immune system. Exercise to elevate mood. Push yourself to be social. There is hope. Listen as Dr. Sherry Cormier joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share tips for the grieving and how you can help your loved one after loss.

Life sometimes takes us down an unpredictable path. Find your financial footing once your primary earning years have passed.Millions of people in their 50s and 60s find themselves facing job and financial insecurity. Financial wellness can be defined as the amount that makes you feel grounded and content. You have to find a textured and meaningful life on a modest income. As you age, you may not be considered for jobs that pay as much as the last job you left. Consider taking a freelance position or two in order to generate income. Short consultancies, subletting rooms in your home and driving for a ride share service are options. Things beyond your control may have landed you in your current financial state. You can learn from past mistakes, but the economic state of the country doesn’t boost your savings. Listen as Elizabeth White joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to find your financial footing over 50.

Yoga is a fantastic way to improve mobility while taking it easy on your joints.When you reach a certain age, finding the right low-impact fitness can be a challenge. Yoga is a great option for middle-aged individuals to strengthen muscles and maintain mobility. Mid-life is roughly defined as ages 45 to 65. It’s a peak time for career-minded individuals, and the hustle and bustle of running a household is also a challenge. Yoga encourages stress reduction and mindfulness. Listen as Dennis and Kathy Lang join Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how yoga can benefit you in mid-life.

What's the deal with perimenopause?Menopause ends the female reproduction window. Perimenopause is like adult puberty, the transition from regular menstrual cycles to one year without periods. Perimenopause is tough to define. Symptoms can occur for three to five years or longer. Menopause occurs when the ovaries have fully retired. Heavy or light periods, irregular bleeding, vaginal dryness, hot flashes and night sweats may pop up as the ovaries wind down their work. Until the ovaries shut down completely, it’s going to be a bumpy ride. Progesterone may be prescribed by your provider to even things out. Some over the counter products like black cohosh may provide some relief from symptoms. Listen as Dr. Mary Jane Minkin joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss what to expect from perimenopause.

Seniors want the independence of aging in their own homes. What steps can be taken to ensure their safety?Aging in place is a way for seniors to live in a familiar environment while growing older. While it’s an ideal option, it can be very stressful for the loved ones of these seniors. Striking a balance between their independence and familial confidence in senior safety is the trick. Reasonable Risks Assess the dwelling for safety. Change handles and add grab bars as needed. Eliminate tripping hazards. Ensure frailer individuals have protection when falling. Walkers help but are a bit unbalanced. Clothing should be protective, especially where damage is likely. Adequate escalation. It isn’t always necessary to escalate immediately to emergency services. Behavior monitoring devices can track when a senior doesn’t move through the home predictably. This can help detect a fall. Listen as Philip Regenie joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss new technology to aid those aging in place.

Learn some tips for writing a great holiday letter.For those who still participate in snail mail, holiday letters are a fantastic way to keep in touch and update loved ones. No need to fret over your own holiday letter. Here are some tips for your own: Keep it short, about one page. Keep it real—not too cutesy or boastful. It should sound like you wrote it. Share specifics about activities and life happenings. Listen as Gretchen Anthony joins Melanie Cole, MSs to share how to write holiday letters that others will enjoy.

Protect yourself and loved ones from the flu.On the hundred year anniversary of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, flu prevention is top of mind. With the close quarters of the holidays at hand, it’s important to protect yourself and your loved ones from contracting the flu. Each season’s vaccine is based on an educated guess of the four most likely strains of flu to hit that season. As the predictions are made six months ahead of time to allow for vaccine creation and distribution, it sometimes misses the mark. Viruses mutate, but the vaccine is the best first defense against flu. Flu tends to come on quickly, prompting a feeling of fatigue and achy muscles. Recommendation is for anyone over six months to have the vaccine. Individuals with weakened immune systems should consult with their physician before getting a shot. Listen as Dr. Richard Webby joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss the importance of the flu vaccine.