EVERYTHING LISTED UNDER: Aging Well

As the passing of renowned physicist and public intellectual Stephen Hawking is met with grief and remembrance the world over, Next Avenue wanted to honor the man who educated the world on a host of issues by sharing five important lessons we learned from him:1. Trust in science, but remember that we haven’t uncovered all its mysteries yet.At 22, Professor Hawking was diagnosed with a rare form of motor neuron disease and told he only had a few years to live.

Whether or not we actually do the right things to improve our health, many of us probably assume we know what they are. Walk more. Quit smoking. Eat healthier.It’s a familiar list, and a good one. As a primary care doctor, I spend plenty of time counseling people to do exactly these things. But here’s another, less familiar thing I think you should consider: get engaged in your community.

Reap the benefits of health, happiness and gratitude on your next journey. [Photo credit: Adobe Stock][/caption]By Wendy Sue Knecht for Next AvenueSome people are just lucky — they’re born with it. I’m not talking about good looks or money. I’m talking about wanderlust …. that something inside of you that just makes you want to go places, explore and of course, wander.

Playing a game at an assisted living facility opened up connections [Photo credit: Adobe Stock][/caption]By Reyna Marder Gentin for Next AvenueMy friend runs an assisted living residence not far from where I live. When she called to say she had a mitzvah (a good deed) for me that was “right up my alley,” I was wary, to put it mildly. She explained that she was running an event where the residents would play a game encouraging them to share, open mic style, stories from their lives. My friend knows I write — essays, memoir pieces, a novel. I tell stories.

How to save precious images so future generations can enjoy them [Photo credit: Adobe Stock][/caption]By Claire Zulkey for Next AvenueDoes that box of unsorted family photos in your closet give you a gnawing feeling? Always wonder what you’re supposed to do with your old slides? Make it a winter project to organize and annotate your family images and records, not just for your current family but for future generations.