How Kabrina Clark’s wish came true: A tropical surprise

2022-12-12T10:51:00

(BPT) – When Kabrina Clark woke up on her 18th birthday, she had no idea what was in store for her.

Just four years earlier when she was 14, Kabrina was diagnosed with cancer of the soft tissue, facing the fierce realities and difficult medical protocols that come with a devastating, life-threatening diagnosis. However, Kabrina has always had a positive attitude and her grandmother shared that while they always thought they’d have to be Kabrina’s rock during her most difficult times, it turned out that Kabrina was everyone else’s rock, never letting her medical diagnosis define her.

While going through treatments, Kabrina and her family were introduced to Make-A-Wish. Kabrina’s wish was to travel to the tropical islands of Hawaii and experience something she had only dreamed of — swimming with dolphins.

Now on the morning of her milestone birthday, she woke up thinking she had to fill out some paperwork for her wish, with no plans yet set. On their way to the Make-A-Wish New Jersey headquarters in Monroe Township, Kabrina’s grandmother shared that she needed to stop at Subaru of Cherry Hill to look at a car she had been interested in purchasing.

To Kabrina’s surprise, when she and her family entered the showroom at Subaru of Cherry Hill, they were greeted by tropical decorations and a cheering crowd filled with Make-A-Wish and Subaru staff and volunteers. They all had one special birthday message for Kabrina — her wish to swim with the dolphins was coming true!

Kabrina shared her life’s journey with Subaru of Cherry Hill Owner Ziad Nashed during an interview on the showroom floor, holding back tears of joy.

“To see her so excited. I almost cried,” Nashed shared. “It just warms you up, seeing her feelings, how her grandparents felt. You can’t beat that.”

During the celebration, Kabrina was presented with a gift basket of goodies to take on her trip, her wish itinerary and learned many of the details about her wish, including her limo to the airport, her beautiful hotel in Waikiki, and all the exciting activities in store for her, complete with a dolphin experience.

Kabrina was overwhelmed with emotion as both of her grandparents hugged her. “I didn’t know anything,” Kabrina said while trying to hold back tears.

The celebration concluded with a special performance from a Hula dancer to get Kabrina and her family in the Hawaiian spirit. Then, Kabrina was serenaded by everyone in the dealership singing “Happy Birthday,” and was presented with a beautiful Hawaiian-themed birthday cake.

The smile did not leave Kabrina’s face as she continued to let the reality sink in that her wish was about to be granted, and in one short week, she would soon be basking in the sun in Hawaii, giving herself and her family a chance to exhale and begin a new chapter in their lives.

“I am just so thankful,” Kabrina kept saying to everyone.

Kabrina’s wish is granted in partnership with Make-A-Wish New Jersey and Subaru of Cherry Hill through the annual Subaru Share The Love(R) Event taking place now until Jan. 3, 2023. Throughout the nationwide campaign, for every new vehicle purchased or leased, Subaru will donate $250 to the customer’s choice of participating charities, including Make-A-Wish. Learn more at wish.org/subaru.

After 14 years, Subaru of America, Inc. and its participating retailers have donated more than $227 million to select charities through its annual Subaru Share the Love Event. For years, Make-A-Wish has benefitted from the campaign, having received more than $29 million in support, a generous sum that has helped the organization grant more than 3,000 wishes and spark everlasting hope and joy for wish kids and their families.

Scleroderma and PAH: Taking Control of Your Health

2022-12-12T08:01:00

(BPT) – It’s challenging to live with a rare disease. When faced with uncertainty about symptoms, support and treatment options, it’s critical to seek out information and resources that can help you take control of your health.

People living with scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis (SSc), understand this well. This condition is a type of connective tissue disease (CTD) that can impact a person’s skin, internal organs, bones and other connective tissues.

While SSc poses challenges of its own, many patients aren’t aware of the connection between SSc and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) — a rare, progressive disease that causes narrowing of the arteries from the right side of the heart to the lungs, leading to elevated pressure in the lungs. SSc can cause inflammation, which may then increase your chances of developing PAH.

Am I at Increased Risk?

While PAH can occur in people with many different CTDs, it’s most common in people with SSc. In fact, up to 19% of people with SSc will develop PAH. Several factors have been associated with increased risk of PAH-SSc, including age and sex — females and people over the age of 50 may be most at risk of developing PAH associated with CTDs such as SSc. Although PAH can affect people of all races, African Americans may be more likely to develop PAH-SSc.

What Symptoms Should I Look For?

Noticeable signs of PAH-SSc — which may start out mild and get worse over time — include light-headedness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, fatigue and swelling of the abdomen, ankles or legs (also called edema).

Because PAH-SSc can begin before you notice it, annual screening is an important tool that can help your doctor detect possible signs of disease. The earlier you’re diagnosed with PAH-SSc, the sooner your doctor can help determine the right treatment plan.

What Else Can I Do?

The best way to take control of your health is by talking to your doctor about your risk of developing PAH-SSc. You can also visit www.UnmaskPAH.com for more information about who is at risk for PAH, the importance of routine screening, and a downloadable discussion guide with questions to consider asking your doctor.

Being in the driver’s seat of your health means listening to your body, being aware of your symptoms and how you’re feeling, and communicating openly and often with your care team about screening and treatment options. Understanding your potential risk of PAH-SSc — and what you can do about it — is part of that journey.

Sponsored by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

5 ways to make holiday hosting a little sweeter this year

2022-12-12T08:15:00

(BPT) – Hosting during the holidays can be stressful but with a little extra prep, you’ll still have time to make memories with family and friends. Whether you are hosting this year’s holiday party or housing out-of-town guests, it’s essential to slow down and savor the moments that make this time of year so special.

See below for five ways to make hosting a little easier and a whole lot sweeter, so you can focus on what really matters.

1. Build in time buffers within your prep schedule

No matter how busy your schedule is, be sure to add extra time before or after events and errands, even if it’s just 15 minutes, to give yourself breathing room. Cushions of “empty time” will help relieve stress when traffic or other problems slow you down. When things go smoothly, they’ll give you a few minutes here and there to stop, take a deep breath and smell the holly!

2. Recruit your own elves

Invite your family to get in on the fun and help with holiday party prep. If you have kids in the group, assign tasks based on their ages and abilities. Have creative older children? Gather brightly colored paper and ribbons, fir branches and sprigs of holly, and let them create centerpieces, placemats and place cards for your dinner party. If your kids are a bit younger, try making templates for names on place cards and let them color in the letters. Relinquishing a little control over your preparations is well worth letting others help you out and will create a jolly, bustling atmosphere throughout your home. You and your guests will then be able to enjoy the meaningful touches you all have put on your gathering!

3. Cook ahead when possible

Take some of the pressure off hosting days by prepping or even cooking as much of the food ahead of time as possible. Beyond complete dishes that can be refrigerated or frozen and later reheated, consider trying the French culinary preparation technique called “mise en place.” It means “putting in place” and is done by prepping all your ingredients beforehand, such as chopping up veggies and measuring out liquid ingredients. By planning ahead, cooking on the big day will be a merry time!

4. Provide crowd-pleasing desserts with a side of nostalgia

To really win over the hearts of your guests, consider bringing in a nostalgic, fan-favorite dessert like a Carvel ice cream cake to round out your meal. The holidays are one of the most nostalgia-inducing times of the year, and a great opportunity to reminisce on all of the sentimental moments with family and friends over a shared experience. Take the time to reflect on the year behind as well as what is to come, acknowledging the lows and celebrating the highs.

If you know your guests prefer to express their own flavor, Carvel’s new Sundae Dashers® inspired by KIT KAT® DUOS could be your tasty solution. Featuring classic Carvel soft serve ice cream in either strawberry or mint, layers of hot fudge and topped with whipped cream and chopped KIT KATS®, you can’t go wrong with these frosty treats.

These delicious desserts are available at participating Carvel shoppes for pickup or can be delivered at home through food delivery platforms. Find your local Carvel shoppe and delivery availability at Carvel.com.

5. Create special keepsakes with ease

Create a special photo area with holiday decorations for picture-perfect holiday snaps. After the party is over and everyone heads home, send out handwritten thank you notes with the photos attached. Want to go all out? Consider using an online site to order personalized souvenirs using the photos and send them out as a memorable holiday gift.

What would your eulogy say?

2022-12-12T06:01:00

(BPT) – We plan ahead for the things in life we look forward to — the birth of a baby, weddings, vacations and holidays. It doesn’t come as naturally to plan for our funeral. It’s easier to avoid the conversation altogether. But, by discussing your personal wishes for your final arrangements, you can protect your loved ones from having to make difficult decisions in a time of immense grief, and potentially ease their financial obligations.

None of us wants to be a burden on those we love. Yet conversations around funeral planning can be tough. Some families find it more natural to discuss the details of their final wishes after the death of a friend or colleague. Others look for specific milestones, like birthdays or retirement. And some families don’t want to have the discussion at all, preferring to write their wishes down. (Just don’t forget to tell your loved ones where to find the document!)

Starting the conversation can be challenging, whether you’re talking about your funeral or asking a loved one how they want to be memorialized. Perhaps watch a movie with a funeral scene or even just schedule a casual conversation after dinner. Here are a few suggestions for kicking off the discussion:

  • Do you want to be buried or cremated?
  • Have I ever told you my favorite scripture?
  • If you could write your own eulogy, what would you say?
  • Would you prefer a traditional funeral or more contemporary celebration of life?

If you’re still unsure how to broach the subject, The Insider’s Guide to Funeral & Cremation Planning is a great resource. Following along with the free guide will help you and your loved ones understand the steps of advance funeral planning. Or you can download Imagine, a free booklet that will help you design the one-of-a-kind service you’d like to have.

Remember that almost any funeral or cremation can be planned in advance, including the venue, catering, mementos and cemetery property, but you might be surprised at all there is to consider. A memorial service is unlike any other event, and, by some estimates, your loved ones could have up to 200 decisions to make in a short timeframe, during the darkest hours of their lives. The most memorable services are planned thoughtfully, with personalized touches that reflect the individual and bring comfort to those in attendance. A Dignity Memorial funeral director can help you navigate your options and develop a plan for a truly personalized event.

Talking openly about the memorial you envision — and encouraging your loved ones to do the same — removes the guesswork from the planning process, and the focus can stay on honoring a unique life lived and celebrating the moments you and your loved ones cherish.

For more information, visit DignityMemorial.com.

How to Save With Amazon Access – The New Hub for Accessible Shopping on Amazon

2022-12-12T08:01:00

(BPT) – Amazon recently introduced Amazon Access, a new hub for customers to explore programs, discounts, and features that make shopping on Amazon even easier and more affordable. With the tough economic climate, and many facing rising costs on essential needs, Amazon is introducing even more accessible offerings on its site for all customers, no matter their circumstances.

Here’s how you can start saving today using Amazon Access:

  1. Register your SNAP EBT benefits. Did you know that Amazon was one of the first retailers to launch SNAP online purchasing? Amazon has expanded its reach to 99.7% of U.S. SNAP households with one or more SNAP online purchasing option, and customers with a valid SNAP EBT card in all states, except Alaska, can use their SNAP funds to order eligible groceries online from Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market, and Amazon Fresh.
  2. Enroll in Prime Access. Qualifying government assistance recipients in the U.S. can enjoy all the benefits and perks of a Prime membership for $6.99 a month — more than 50% off the cost of a full-priced membership. That includes fast, free delivery; unlimited streaming of movies and series like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and live sports like Thursday Night Football with Prime Video; ad-free access to millions of songs and thousands of podcasts with Amazon Music; free games with Prime Gaming; more than 3,000 books and magazines with Prime Reading; exclusive perks like a free, one-year Grubhub+ membership trial; unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos; and more.
  3. Reserve select items with Amazon Layaway year-round. That’s right — Layaway isn’t just for the holiday season. Customers can shop thousands of items with no credit check, interest, or fees, and pay 20% of the total cost of the selected items to lock in the price. You’ll have up to eight weeks to pay off the items in full, and then enjoy that fast, free shipping Amazon customers know and love. Shop everything from Beats headphones to Black + Decker vacuums and across categories like furniture, baby, toys, and lawn & garden.

3 ways women are taking control of their finances to reenergize their future

2022-12-09T15:05:00

(BPT) – Facing an uncertain economy, rising inflation and a potential recession on the horizon, many are stressed about their own finances, and women are especially feeling financial pressure. According to a new study by Fidelity Investments, nearly half (47%) of women say their outlook on money and economic issues has worsened over the past year.

With primary stressors including inflation (71%), the rising cost of essentials (65%), and not having enough saved for emergencies (58%), women are demanding more from their money and taking control of their finances to improve their immediate future, in three key areas: spending, saving and learning.

1. Continue evaluating spending

One of the first places to look when evaluating short-term finances is your spending. Many women are already scaling back on spending to make their money stretch further. Fidelity’s study found 53% of women cut back on nonessential activities and entertainment, while 39% cut back on travel and vacation expenses in the past 12 months. There’s never a better time than the present to evaluate your budget, income, and goals to see what changes you can make to make the most of your financial priorities. One quick way to cut back on costs is to review streaming services, monthly subscriptions and memberships and pause the ones you didn’t use much this year or didn’t enjoy using.

2. Saving for a rainy day fund

Because most women are concerned about not having enough saved for emergencies, it’s a great idea to start or add to an emergency fund. In fact, 30% of women are already planning to start or add to their emergency funds in the next 12 months. But it can be challenging to set aside money for emergencies, especially when money is already tight. When your budget doesn’t allow much wiggle room for emergency savings, you can focus on adding extra funds into an emergency fund. For example, take any money from cash gifts, cash back from credit cards or cashback services, and your tax refund and immediately deposit them into your emergency savings account. This will help you grow your fund while maintaining your current budget.

3. Boosting financial knowledge

Financial education can be a powerful tool to help you get the most out of your money and women are eager to learn how they can make their money work harder for them. More than a quarter of women surveyed want to learn more about managing debt and credit, 25% want to learn how to create and stick to a budget and 24% want to learn about savings.

Many women also want to change their financial habits and mindsets to get more out of their money, especially younger women. One in four Gen Z women are interested in learning how to improve their money mindset, such as learning how to overcome spending guilt, break bad habits or improve their overall relationship with money.

Developing a strong financial foundation and practicing good financial hygiene are all ways to help make your money work harder for you. Even though women want to learn, there haven’t always been resources for women to learn about money. Women want financial basics, but they also want to learn about them in an open and honest environment, and they want to learn about the unique money challenges facing women.

A learning community for women, by women

Reinforcing their ongoing commitment to helping women achieve financial success, Fidelity created Women Talk Money, a community made for women, by women, to help normalize money talk in an honest and open environment. Through the community, Fidelity offers live events, workshops, newsletters and educational content on everything from financial basics like learning how to save and invest, to more in-depth concepts like the financial benefits of life insurance, to career guidance, such as negotiating a pay increase. Women Talk Money also covers women-specific topics like gender pay gaps and career breaks to help women navigate the unique financial challenges facing them. And the community recently launched on both Instagram and LinkedIn, to help reach more women and meet them where they are.

To start demanding more from your money and controlling your financial future, visit Fidelity’s Women Talk Money hub.

Top tech tips: How to create the best interactive virtual experiences

2022-12-09T06:31:00

(BPT) – From small get-togethers and company-wide meetings to large-scale events and even global conferences, virtual live-streaming experiences have become vital for audiences around the world to engage with content and connect with one another. While the pandemic accelerated the need for and evolution of virtual events, technology continues to transform these gatherings into creative and compelling experiences by drawing from the worlds of social media, gaming, live music performances and more.

For anyone hosting a live streaming event, the good news is that today’s technology is accessible and easy to use. Individuals or organizations from social influencers and entrepreneurs to marketing professionals, corporations and institutions can use available tools to reach their audiences in new and exciting ways. So what makes for a successful, engaging event?

Here are tips to help anyone execute an outstanding live streaming event.

Keep it real. What makes live streaming so compelling is that it’s, well, live. The authenticity of live events creates a magic all its own that viewers often find more emotionally engaging than over-produced videos. Whether they’re watching an influencer give a how-to skin care tutorial or enjoying a live concert from a favorite artist, there’s nothing quite like watching something happening in real time.

Mix it up. Any event benefits from variety, combining exciting live moments with thoughtfully pre-produced content to enhance your digital storytelling. Draw on all the resources at your disposal, from visual artistry and music to influencers, personalities and thought leaders who can speak directly to your audience. Many of today’s best events are hybrid, combining live, in-person components with virtual elements for far-flung audiences, weaving together a variety of experiences for a unique result with a much wider reach.

Make it conversational. Live streaming is at its best when it’s not just a spectator sport. Interactive features like live Q and A, polling and chat will draw your audience members in and invite them to become part of your event as it’s happening.

Use the best tools. Even without tech experience, you can get stunning, professional-grade live streams with just a few clicks using BlueJeans Studio by Verizon. The new all-in-one event production and live streaming platform is designed to put control into the hands of the creator.

BlueJeans Studio allows anyone to produce, star and engage in live videos with ease, maximizing broadcast reach with live streams to Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, RTMP destinations and other platforms simultaneously. With easy video feed mixing, custom branding and endless streaming capabilities, you can produce TV-quality content that helps drive audience engagement and elevates any virtual event experience.

Key features of BlueJeans Studio:

  • No technology integration: The studio is web-based and built into the BlueJeans Events platform to enable anyone to host, manage and create stunning events — without technical or AV support.
  • Ease of use: No production expertise required; a few simple clicks create beautiful, engaging video streams.
  • Cost effective: You can save thousands compared to hiring production and AV support to improve the visual appeal of any event. Event plans start at $42 per month.
  • All-in-one event platform: Send invites, secure the event, get post-event analytics and save unlimited recording hours.
  • Highest video quality: 1080p picture quality elevates the event and brand.
  • Highlight more presenters: Capacity is up to 150 presenters — more than any other event platform.
  • Change onscreen layouts: You can even change onscreen layouts, using templates to create a more polished event look.
  • Host unlimited events: Monthly and annual plans allow users to host as many events as needed, rather than paying per event.

You’ll be able to have presenters engage your audience with chat, Q and A and polls in real-time — and highlight audience comments and reactions on screen. And you can integrate uploaded videos, images and screen shares during the broadcast.

To further elevate your brand, you can incorporate personalized logos, background and colors, ticker banners, name cards, lower third overlays and more to create engaging and buzzworthy content that can be recorded, edited and shared again and again. Launching as an included feature of BlueJeans Events, BlueJeans Studio will be available at no extra cost to Events subscribers.

Learn how you can make your live streaming, virtual and hybrid events sizzle at BlueJeans.com/products/events/studio.

5 tips to protect your swimming pool from severe winter weather

2022-12-09T06:01:00

(BPT) – If you have a swimming pool, it may be the last thing on your mind during winter. However, snowy, icy weather or severe temperature drops can bring risks to your pool.

The good news is, you can help protect your pool from winter storms and freezing temperatures with these tips from the experts at Leslie’s.

1. Keep excess snow from weighing down your pool cover

Occasional light snow is nothing to be worried about, but heavy snow can weigh down a cover. Especially when blizzard conditions dump a foot or more of snow at once, it’s cause for concern. Light, fluffy snow can be blown away with a leaf blower. But for wet and heavy snow, try using a soft broom or skimmer net to remove as much extra weight as possible. While removing snow, be careful to never step onto your pool cover — even if you think the water beneath is frozen.

2. Make sure your pool boundaries are well marked

To help avoid accidents and prevent anyone from stepping onto the pool cover, make it easy to spot the boundaries of your pool after a heavy snowfall. Don’t set heavy objects like patio furniture on the deck near the cover, because those items could damage the cover if they fall onto it. Setting lightweight objects, such as rubber or plastic cones or empty buckets, near the corners can help you see where your pool’s boundaries are located.

3. Check for fallen tree limbs after a storm

Fallen tree limbs are common after a heavy snowfall or ice storm. If they land on the pool, remove them as quickly as possible and check for cover damage. A rip or tear in the cover can allow debris to fall through or water to come out, and may even cause the cover to fail under strain. Multiple rips, or damage larger than a dollar bill, should prompt you to get a new cover, though smaller tears can usually be patched.

4. Make sure your cover is secured

In addition to causing fallen limbs, high winds can also damage your pool cover. Keep the cover well secured to prevent wind whip, and be sure that your deck and yard area is free of large, unsecured items, such as patio furniture, which may blow onto the cover.

5. Safeguard against a deep freeze

Unexpected freezing temperatures can happen anytime, anywhere. If you haven’t winterized your pool when frigid weather strikes, be prepared with a backup plan. Water expands as it freezes, which can cause damage to plumbing and pool equipment that’s still filled with water. DO NOT use any type of portable heater, heat lamp or electric blankets to protect the pump and filter — this can damage equipment or even start a fire. For pools with equipment that’s still connected, run the pump on high speed until the danger of freezing temperatures has passed. If your power goes out during freezing temps, you’ll need to act quickly to avoid damage.

Steps for emergency winterization:

  • Turn off the circuit breaker (so equipment doesn’t turn back on when power is restored) and remove all drain plugs from your equipment. Open the air relief valve on the pool filter, too.
  • Remove the top from any valves with water in them and set your multiport valve to “winter” or between any two settings.
  • Protect your tile line against ice expansion by placing air pillows, inflatable pool floats or empty, lightly weighted plastic jugs in your pool. A weighted 5-gallon bucket can also be set on the steps, as long as it breaks the water surface.
  • Avoid skimmer damage by placing an empty, lightly weighted plastic drink bottle (or skimmer guard, if available) into the skimmer.
  • Wrap a towel around the vacuum breaker of your auto-fill mechanism (if applicable) for insulation.

Need help? Leslie’s can provide assistance and resources to help you safely recover your pool after winter weather events, including at-home equipment inspections, winter pool maintenance, repair services and free in-store water testing or troubleshooting. Find your nearest Leslie’s location or visit LesliesPool.com for helpful tips and information.

3 gift ideas for every kid on your list

2022-12-08T17:01:00

(BPT) – Selecting the perfect gift can be a challenge, no matter who is on your list. However, when it comes to kids it can be particularly challenging to think of unique gift ideas year after year. With a record year of inflation, many are rethinking how they give gifts this holiday season and beyond.

According to a recent Fidelity Investments® gifting study, 42% of parents say they will spend less on their children’s gifts this holiday season due to inflation and the current economic climate. While parents claim they’ll be spending less this year, they still anticipate each child receiving an average of $996 worth of gifts collectively from themselves, family and friends.

The study breaks down gifting trends from over 1,000 parents across the U.S., and when asking what gifts they think their kids will want this year the top three responses include toys & games, electronics and apparel. While 35% of parents say they’ll be more likely to prioritize non-material gifts, here are three gift ideas that will never go out of style over the years:

1. Experiences

Whether it’s tickets to see their favorite musical artist or band, a day trip to a museum or amusement park, or even a promise to simply pick the next family outing — gifting an experience that allows the opportunity to continue creating memories with kids will never go out of style.

2. Education

With college costs increasing each year, saving for college is top of mind for parents now more than ever. According to Fidelity’s study, 84% of parents say they’d welcome contributions to their child’s college savings account in lieu of traditional holiday gifts, and with all the benefits of a tax-advantaged account like a 529 college savings, providing a lasting and meaningful gift like a contribution to a college fund has never been easier.

3. A Donation

When asking about their money wishes for their children, 1 in 4 parents wish their children would embrace charitable giving and think about others before themselves. Another gift idea could be to make a donation to a charity on their behalf, asking them to pick a toy or two to donate before opening other gifts, or even donating time together as a family and volunteering at a local food pantry or soup kitchen.

Whether you have a young child, a high school senior getting ready to leave the nest, or a niece or nephew, these gifts ideas will be a hit for any child at any age. For more information on college gifting visit Fidelity.com/collegegift. For the full study results visit: https://bit.ly/3PgUEP9.

The impact of physical activity on loneliness and social isolation for older adults

2022-12-08T16:47:00

(BPT) – It’s been well-established that physical activity like walking, yoga and going to a fitness center has many health benefits for older adults. These include better sleep, less anxiety and reduced risk of heart disease, along with many other benefits that may improve overall health.

But what if physical activity could help older adults feel less alone, even if they were exercising alone?

Researchers from AARP Services Inc., UnitedHealthcare and OptumLabs set out to investigate this question, focusing on two areas:

  • Could physical activity help to reduce social isolation and/or loneliness?
  • Could physical activity promote higher levels of resilience, purpose or positive perception of aging?

There’s a continued emphasis on supporting older adults as they work to find meaning, purpose and resilience as they age. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may have been harder to find opportunities to exercise, which contributed to greater feelings of social isolation and loneliness.

The results of the study point to strong evidence that physical activity can help older adults feel less alone and socially isolated, as well as positively increase their feelings of resilience and purpose.

Researchers found that:

  • Moderate and high physical activity were associated with significantly reduced rates (15%-30% lower) of severe loneliness and social isolation
  • The same level of physical activity was also associated with improved feelings (27%-150% higher) of resilience, purpose and a positive perception of aging

The level of physical activity came from the number of days a week someone would exercise (even walking or gardening), not the intensity of the exercise itself. Moderate to high levels ranged between three to four days a week or five-plus days a week, respectively.

“Continuing to be physically active over time may be one of the best things older adults can do for themselves to promote healthy aging — mental, physical and emotional,” said Shirley Musich, senior research director at OptumInsight and one of the co-authors of the study.

Talk with your doctor about healthy ways to incorporate fitness into your routine. For individuals recovering from an injury, consider seeking advice from a physical therapist who may identify areas requiring special focus.