The NSGA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of competitive sports, physical fitness and active aging to adults ages 50+.
T (727) 475-1187
Email: NSGA@NSGA.com
National Senior Games Association
PO BOX 5630, Clearwater, FL 33758 USA
Many fitness centers and gyms are closed in support of containing COVID-19. We are all expected to do our part to maintain the recommended social distance, but Senior Games athletes can still follow a fitness routine to prepare to qualify for next year’s National Senior Games. Make lemons into lemonade by taking advantage of the moment to evaluate your overall training program and build a solid fitness foundation!
Your well-being involves more than physical activity, nutrition, mental health and environmental protection. It also involves social connections and personal safety. As Americans, we believe in justice for all. Yet, every year an estimated five million older Americans are victims of scams, exploitation, neglect and abuse.
Elder abuse is an intentional act, or failure to act, by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes harm to an adult 60 years and older. Feel more empowered in protecting yourself and others by acting on the suggestions in the tip sheet “Supports and Tools for Elder Abuse Prevention.” Moreover, the podcast below provides interviews with professional con artists and leading experts in the topic sharing tips with listeners on how best to protect themselves.
Long-term sleep deprivation is linked to diabetes, poor mental health, hypertension, motor vehicle crashes, stroke, increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, and more. National community risk factor data shows that about 1/3 of U.S. adults do not get enough sleep. There is even variation by regions of the country. In the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, it is especially important that active seniors “sleep to live and play well.” This podcast provides tips for getting a good night’s sleep. If you are beyond thinking about making a change in your sleep habits and are ready to take action we have provided a two-week sleep diary to assess you sleep patterns.
Several tangible habits contribute to our well-being and susceptibility to infections like COVID -19. These include genetics, exercise, stress, mental health, and hygiene to name a few. Physical activity research shows that exercise is medicine. NSGA specific screening results from the Senior Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) show that research participants exercise more than the recommended amount of daily physical activity. However, we do not have enough evidence to make similar conclusions related to healthy eating among Games athletes. It is especially important that active aging seniors “eat to live” during the pandemic. This article makes the case for adopting simple eating patterns based on nutrition habits of the top five overall healthiest countries.
Resilience is the ability to adapt to difficult situations. It is a helpful to have healthy coping skills to activate during a period of uncertainty. Many adults cultivate resilience as they transition through various stages of life. However, you do not need to wait to develop resilience. Learning the skills associated with resilience yields real time benefits to assist you in thriving during COVID 19, illness, and injury related training setbacks. This article by the Mayo Clinic elucidates the key characteristics that mark healthy resilience.
Saline wash, antibiotics, chlorine spray, hand dryers, garlic, 5G mobile networks, disinfectants and colloidal silver all have common threads running through them - they are on an FDA watch list and false claims are being been made about them! There is no evidence that they truly work in treating or preventing COVID -19, and many will make you ill. Arm yourself with knowledge so you will not be a victim by losing money on bogus miracle cures.
This United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) sports psychology article suggests that the keys to maintaining a healthy state of mind during COVID-19 is based in a good sleep routine, creative exercise, nutritious foods, social connection, and breath training. This “USOPC News and Updates” resource provides specific tips and recommendations that support mind and brain wellbeing.
During this time, it is best to maintain physical distance when encountering others in the great outdoors. Infectious disease expert Dr. Frank Esper provides tips on avoiding COVID-19 when engaging others outdoors, addressing such topics as “no-go” activities, things to watch out for when outdoors, and the effect of heavy breathing when interacting with others.
Of the big three recommendations for COVID-19 prevention, the one that is most difficult to maintain is avoiding face touching. Many now realize they had no idea how often they actually touch their face. It is a deeply-rooted habit that is tough to change. Behavioral health specialists from the Cleveland Clinic break down the steps to reducing unneeded face touching.
Mindfulness-based stress management practices have grown in popularity in recent years. Solid evidence shows that when these meditative methods are practiced frequently and consistently, brain functioning can actually change. This results in a positive impact on mental well-being, including stress management, anxiety, depression and conflict management. These benefits can carry over to the ability manage ourselves in competition. Learn to practice mindfulness with by taking action in three easy steps found in this informative challenge from the Wellsource Group.
The brain is an organ that can experience ‘dis-ease’ like other organs in the body. However, there is strong evidence that mental well-being is positively impacted by moderate physical activity, meditative/mindfulness practices, relaxation techniques, and various therapeutic approaches. Learn more in this video from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
