Each month, you will receive some practical tips on ideas such as eliminating stress, finding your passion, clearing clutter, and maybe even some travel tips and more. Also look for helpful resources including book titles and websites. In addition, don’t be surprised when you find a call to action. I am a coach, after all! I hope you find some useful tidbits monthly challenges. If you know someone that you think may find something of value in here, please forward this newsletter on. And remember…the adventure begins at the start of The Trailhead!

Welcome to May! It’s been a long time coming but it looks like sun and warmth has finally arrived here in the Northeast. I wish the same for you wherever you call home.

I love this time of year! Renewal is everywhere you turn; from the shiny green leaves on the trees to the unfurling of the fiddlehead ferns in the woods, to the fuzzy ducklings following their parents lead on the nearby lake…this time of year brings a revival of spirit and energy.

A couple of weeks ago as I was driving past our local fire department on my way home, I noticed a sign out front that said, "Happy Birthday, Mrs. Shinn-106!" I looked twice at that sign, thinking I had misread the number-but I hadn’t! Whoever she was, Mrs. Shinn had just turned 106! A few days later, I saw a picture of Mrs. Shinn in our local newspaper…and she looked pretty darn good! Talk about spirit and energy! What an inspiration! It got me thinking that at 52, I might really be at the halfway point of my life and if all goes well, I’ve got another 52 to go. I have to say that’s an intriguing thought!

Think of all the folks you know or those you have heard about who have accomplished some pretty incredible things in their later years. There’s a book titled: What’s in an Age: Who Did What from Age 1-100 by Andrew Postman. It proves that age doesn’t have to be the thing that holds us back from great achievements.

More and more there are news stories of folks who are doing great things, well into their old age. Magazines and books are filled with ideas on how to extend our quality of life. What I’m realizing is that although we’re all going to get older, how we handle those changes is what will make all the difference.

I just heard an interview with two physicians, Dr. Michael Roizen and Dr. Mehmet Oz, who have written a new book titled YOU-the Owner’s Manual: An Insiders Guide to the Body That Will Make You Healthier and Younger. In the interview, Dr. Roizen said that 78% of how fast we age and how long we will live is in our control, depending on the choices we make. Certainly our genes play a role in that but even by the time we turn thirty, 60% of our longevity is in our control (barring any tragic accidents). And by the time we reach fifty, it’s about 80%. That is pretty astounding news! The interview continued with Dr. Oz (I like that name!J ) stating that the number one body part to take care of in order to age well is our arteries. In order to help improve our arteries, we need to reduce our blood pressure (115/75 is ideal). In order to reduce our blood pressure, we simply have to move more and eat less…as well as eat the right stuff which includes salmon, orange juice, walnuts, and even red wine and dark chocolate! As for the exercise, if we can get ourselves moving 3 times a week for at least 20 minutes where we break a sweat each time then combine that with a daily 30 minute walking regimen, we can begin to influence our longevity within a week of getting started. I don’t know about you but having the knowledge that, to a large extent, a longer, healthier life is in our own control by the choices we make…well; it’s a no-brainer! I think l better call up Mrs. Shinn and ask her if she wants to meet me for a stroll!

Oprah Winfrey says, "Every birthday you decide whether to mark it the end of your greatest days or the beginning of your finest hour."

What about you? The choice is YOURS!

The date on your birth certificate is only one small element affecting how you look and feel. Think about your own aging process and answer some of these questions (With thanks to Oprah!):

And now…what’s the next step for YOU to take to live a long and healthy life?

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YOU-The Owner’s Manual: An Insiders Guide to the Body that will make you Healthy and Younger by Michael Roizen, MD and Mehmet Oz, MD

Younger Next Year-A Guide to Living like 50 until you’re 80 and Beyond by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge

Inventing the Rest of our Lives: Women in 2^nd Adulthood by Suzanne Braun Levine

www.realage.com –an informative health site

Here’s another way increase your longevity…get outdoors and envelop yourself in the beauty of Nature. Join me for an Outdoor Retreat.

Join Coach Deb Martin (www.portagecoach.com) and me on the beautiful island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands, March 16-March 21, 2006 for a self-exploration retreat titled, "The Rest of your Life: A Playful Retreat for Successful Life Transitions" (Check out www.adventurecoach.com and click on the link St. John retreat link on the homepage)

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Here’s to YOUR long life!

Patt

To schedule a complimentary 30 minute coaching phone session, email me at patt.adventurecoach@verizon.net or call 609-953-0027