Saturday, May 18, 2013

Login
Not a subscriber? Click here. Are you a WCN subscriber? Set up your password.
E-Mail
Password
	Remember me

	Forgot password?

Home

Home

Weekly News Stories

Weekly News Stories: • Section A: General News; • Eagle Ford News; • Obituaries; • South Texas Living; • Occasions; • Sports; • Agriculture Today; • The 411: Youth; • Special Section

AUTO

AUTO: • Wilson's AUTO Chooser; • Wilson's List/Classifieds

BURN BAN: Lifted

BURN BAN: Lifted: • Burn Ban Lifted

Special Features

Special Features: • Calendar Events; • Daily Updates via E-Mail; • Make Us Your Home Page; • Military Subscriptions; • Newspapers In Education; • Trial Subscription; • Links

News

News: • Weekly Headlines in Print; • Consumer Updates; • Funeral Notices; • National News; • Meeting Agendas; • Breaking News; • Election Coverage; • Scam Central

Living Blogs

Living Blogs: • A Salute to Our Military; • Calendar Events; • Church Directory; • Everyday Journeys; • Gardening Q&A; • Good News About Aging; • I Was Just Thinking...; • Keeping the Faith; • Military Memories; • On The Road To Forever; • Reunions; • Rose Petals; • Savvy Senior; • Things I'd Like To See; • Tips from the Coupon Queen; • Upbeat; • Wilson County Garden Day; • Wilson County Sesquicentennial

Fun Stuff

Fun Stuff: • Facebook; • Movie Reviews; • Twitter; • Video Vault; • Whatever the Weather; • Wildflower Watch; • YouTube

Opinion Blogs

Opinion Blogs: • Commentaries; • Frog Hospital; • Headlines & Between the Lines; • Larryisms; • One Opinion; • Political Soaps; • Roadmap for America; • TEA'd Off Americans; • Tell It Like It Is; • Time Warp; • The Right Angle

Sports & Outdoors

Sports & Outdoors: • Fishing Report; • NASCAR News; • Reb's Race Report; • Sports Scores, Playoffs, Updates

Classifieds/Shopping

Classifieds/Shopping: • Wilson's List/Classifieds; • Wilson's AUTO Chooser; • COUPONS: Print & Save!; • Showcase of Homes; • WCN TV; • Yellow Pages

Photo Galleries

Photo Galleries: • Weekly Photo Albums; • 2010 Post-Groundhog Day Snow; • 2009 Deer Blind Contest; • 2007 Ice Photos; • Extreme Home Make Over-Harris; • Floresville Opry � Aug. 2012; • Floresville Opry � Nov. 2012; • Floresville Opry � Feb. 2013; • Severe Weather 5/10/12; • Springtime Photo Contest; • Thank you, Wounded Warriors; • Wedding Photo Contest; • Wilson's Christmas Kids Contest

Special Publications

Special Publications: • Eagle Ford Directory; • Floresville Visitors Guide; • La Vernia Chamber Directory; • Medical Directory Guide; • Real Estate Guide

Services

Services: • Business Review Submission; • Calendar Event Submission; • Classified Ad Submission; • FREE Yellow Page Submission; • Letters to the Editor Submission; • Obituary Submission; • Reunion Submission; • Engagement Announcement; • Wedding Announcement; • Ad Rates, Display; • Ad Rates, Classified; • Ad Rates, Internet; • Distribution; • Photo Reprint Pricing; • Value of Advertising; • Showcase of Homes-Rates; • Terms of Use

Contact Us: • Contact/Email Us; • Daily Email Updates; • Find us on the Newsstands; • Meet the Staff/History; • News Tip Line; • Subscribe Today!

Preview the Paper

Good News About Aging

Good News: Want Better Brain Health- Take A Trip!

Disclaimer:
Mark Underwood is responsible for this content, which is not edited by the Wilson County News or wilsoncountynews.com.

September 7, 2012 | 576 views | 1 comment

While you’re having a great time taking photos of the Swiss Alps or the Colorado Rockies, you may not realize it but your travel experience is benefiting your mind. Scientific research agrees that lifelong learning, which includes discovering first-hand new places, people and cultures, is one of the primary factors that lead to better brain health.

Preparing to learn and travel

More seniors than ever before are planning road trips, cruises, railroad excursions, tours, hiking and biking expeditions to near and far locations. But some of these same travelers are not only choosing resorts, inns, air fare, itineraries and cruises; they are also sharpening their brain by studying the history and culture of the areas and learning the languages. Before they depart, they are taking non-credit academic courses to add to their travel experience.

Other travelers take time to read books by the country’s beloved authors, and learn about the local cuisine, music and art. All of these things help you stay active but they also keep the brain constantly engaged. Scientific research has found that a challenged, stimulated brain may be the key to a long healthy life.

Learn a language

Before you depart from home learn a new language or at least a few phrases. One of the most important things you can do to stimulate better brain health is to learn new language skills. You may not have time to immerse yourself in a language, but the more time you spend learning the faster you will learn. There are numerous ways to learn French, German and other languages. Join a class or listen to audio tapes or ask someone who speaks the language to teach you.

Planning tips

Other planning steps include making two copies of your passport. Take one copy with you and put in a separate location from the actual passport. Leave the second copy at home. Make a copy of your health insurance card from your home health plan and keep the copy in a location separate than your card. Take a mix of money such as one credit card, possibly a debit card, and cash including several $1 dollar bills.

Don’t keep all of your money in your wallet. Instead, divide it so you have it in more than one location in case your wallet is lost or stolen. It’s a good idea to have a health check-up before you leave home. If you’re traveling to a tropical or sub-tropical area, check health advisories for your destination. Talk to your physician about protection or immunization from diseases that might be prevalent in your location like malaria.

When you get to your destination

Always wear a seat belt in a taxi or auto. Avoid taking cabs after dark in developing countries or to areas far from your hotel. Don’t travel anywhere at night by foot or driving if you feel the area has questionable safety concerns. In some beach communities the main boardwalk or city center may safer for taking a stroll than a block or two off the primary tourist area.

Keep in mind if you are in a crowd waiting in line at a restaurant or buying tickets to a popular attraction you may also be sharing the crowded space with pickpockets. Consider wearing a money belt inside your skirt or slacks so that that it can’t be seen from the outside.

As a senior you can see the world without spending a fortune. But no matter where you go you need to prepare for a healthy vacation. Plan to be a healthy, safe and savvy traveler and you’ll have the time of your life.

Next Blog Entry (September 10, 2012) »

« Previous Blog Entry (September 6, 2012)

Your Opinions and Comments