Podcasts

A gym class for older exercisers

My personal trainer (oh that sounds pretentious) is soon to start a class for the over-60s. I must admit I have hassled her over this, with pep talks about growing the business, extending her client base, and the splendid loyalty of older people once we find a regular activity that suits our needs. Truth is, […]

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Just when do you want to die?

Exactly when would you prefer to die? Soon, before you are too old? Most of us don’t have a choice. I wrote this poem for Sally Bond, who died at 95 in a rest home on Christmas Day, 2014. But perhaps it will fit someone else you know, including you and me, one day. I […]

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Not a senior moment

I hate the way I (and maybe you) assume that if you’re over 70 (or maybe 50) every tiny temporary slip of the memory is due to incipient dementia and old age. Senior moment? Never say it, write it or think it. Forgot why you went into the kitchen? That’s just your lovely brain doing the right thing, […]

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Forgot why you went downstairs? Try audible mindfulness: talking to yourself

Talking to yourself has had a bad rap. I do it, you do it (don’t you?), pretty well everyone does it. We’re not crazy! Self-talk has many useful functions and many benefits. For example, your out-loud private talk can provide company, a pep talk, a safety valve, devil’s advocate, or coaching from your infallible cognitive behaviour therapist. Often we […]

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