The University of Arizona Innovations in Healthy Aging

Wellness Wednesday: What brings joy to people's lives? The Buckmaster Show's April 17 episode delved into this question with insights from Victoria Maizes, MD, founding executive director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, and University of Arizona Climate Scientist Zack Guido, PhD.

Tune in to the episode here: https://buff.ly/3y6iict

Tuesday Tidbit: Whether it's a quick trip to the grocery store or a leisurely bike ride across town, having the right tools can enhance your mobility. For example, using a cane can help reduce strain on a sore or injured knee, according to Christine Childers, PhD, director of physical therapy at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson.

From personal shopping carts to sturdy rollators and e-bikes, find what might work best for you to navigate more comfortably and safely in your neighborhood in this Consumer Reports article: https://buff.ly/3UoDzWz

Friday Fact: Less than one in three adults wake up feeling rested most days, but there are ways to improve sleep quality.

According to Michael Grandner, PhD, director of the sleep and health research program at the University of Arizona, stressors can disrupt sleep by keeping our minds and bodies alert. To relax, he said breathing exercises, meditation or simply waiting it out can be helpful for a better night's rest.

Read more sleep tips in this Everyday Health article: https://buff.ly/3WfVTDF

In our final Creative Encounters in Awe Walking event of the season on Saturday, May 4, 10-11:30 a.m., dive into the intersection of awe and writing with us at our Awe and Contemplative Writing workshop led by Charles Alexander!

Contemplative writing teaches us to slow down and bring intention to all communicative acts, highlighting the way we can feel, experience, and act in the world and allowing us to explore our surroundings with a newfound sense of creativity.

Explore how slowing down and infusing intention into writing can transform your perspective and enhance creativity.

Register today: https://buff.ly/3wp8da9

Friday Fact: Did you know personality traits may predict dementia risk? According to a recent NIA-funded study, traits like conscientiousness and positive affect are linked to lower risk, while neuroticism and negative affect increase the risk. Learn more about this fascinating finding by reading this National Institute on Aging article: https://buff.ly/3VHGImG

Connect, learn and share in the beauty of poetry at our upcoming Aging and the Arts Poetry Circle this Saturday, April 27! This month's theme features the works of poets Ofelia Zepeda and Allison Deming.

Led by docents from the UA Poetry Center, this monthly gathering offers a welcoming space for all, whether you're a seasoned poetry enthusiast or just starting your poetic exploration. No prior knowledge required!

Register before it's too late: https://buff.ly/3Q4HjLD

Wellness Wednesday: From the relentless desert heat to our year-round outdoor activities, living in Arizona can impact your risks for skin health.

In a recent interview on KJZZ radio, Lisa Quale, a health educator the University of Arizona’s Skin Cancer Institute, shared insights into the connection between sun exposure and the development of skin cancer.

Tune in to learn about the importance of sun protection, the role of vitamin D and how to choose the right sunscreen to best safeguard your skin's health under the Arizona sun. 🌞

Listen now: https://buff.ly/3IZmZam

Tuesday Tidbit: Deborah Szekely is the 102-year-old powerhouse behind two health and wellness sanctuaries. She founded them in 1940 and 1958 and continues to lead them today.

"Community survival is absolutely vital to longevity. The health and happiness of our neighbors are not only important; they are a requirement. Without the health of the things surrounding you, it’s hard to be healthy," Szekely said on the involvement of her sanctuaries in the community.

Szekely's lifelong commitment to health and leading by example inspires her guests and community alike. Read more about her journey and philosophy on wellness and happiness here: https://buff.ly/49x8aqe

Don't miss out on the upcoming Peña del SurCo on April 26 at the 4th Ave Coalition's new space at 311 E. 7th Street!

A peña is a celebration where Latin-American musical groups share their talents, inviting everyone to join in song and spirit. Led by ethnomusicologist Dr. Jennie Gubner and her Argentine/Chilean folk music trio El SurCo, Peña del SurCo embodies inclusivity and intergenerational connection through music. Che's Empanadas will sell food at the event.

Register today: https://buff.ly/49Cgmpp

Friday Fun Fact: From coffee, butter, whole milk to chocolate, these foods have previously been labeled as unhealthy but can actually offer a wealth of benefits for your well-being.

Dr. Stephen Dahmer, Director at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, said that avoiding certain foods can bring feelings of guilt, which is unhelpful in a healthy relationship with food. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of mindful eating and moderation.

Read more about the surprising benefits of nine commonly shunned foods here: https://buff.ly/3U1KHJe

Only two days left to register for our next Community Sing on April 20! 🎶

A Community Sing gives anyone who likes to sing — or would like to — an opportunity to do that in a group setting without the pressure of having to stand out. Led by experienced song leader Ted Warmbrand, it's a chance to come together, build community and celebrate the beauty of music and our natural environment just before Earth Day.

🌱 Let's raise our voices for a harmonious Earth! Register today: https://buff.ly/49jRZfR

Wellness Wednesday: Did you know workspace design can have a big impact on health and productivity?

"If we begin to design our office spaces and operate them intentionally, we will have a better, healthier, happier, committed workforce and the bottom line will be better," Dr. Esther Sternberg, author of Well at Work: Creating Wellbeing in Any Workspace, said in Episode 38 of "In Session: Leading the Judiciary."

Sternberg is also our Associate Director for Biomedical and Environmental Research here at Innovations in Healthy Aging.

Listen to Sternberg's expert advice on creating healthier, happier workspaces by integrating seven domains of health into office design here: https://buff.ly/43PKCMa