Wednesday, April 28, 2021

AGING BABY BOOMERS RE-ENTER THE OUTSIDE WORLD

AGING BABY BOOMERS RE-ENTER THE OUTSIDE WORLD


Lockdowns are being lifted. Yay!

Risk assessments (see previous post) are done. Whew!

What's next for Baby Boomers?

Decide how to rejoin the outside world.


Will you:

Eagerly plunge into resuming all pre-lockdown activities and behaviors, such as: in-person socializing, attending indoor events, pursuing adventures ...

Or

Gradually re-enter the outside world one activity at a time.

If this is your choice, what will you do first:

- Reunite with grandchildren, extended family, friends ...

- Participate in religious services at a house of worship

- Dine indoors at a favorite restaurant

- Attend large celebrations, sporting events, concerts ...

- Enroll in classes, visit museums/art galleries, concerts ...

- Travel by airplane, cruise ship, road trip ...

- Wander around large shopping malls ...

Whatever you choose, do not be alarmed if you notice diminished strength and endurance after emerging from lockdown.

Boomers, especially first-wavers, may feel a bit like a car that sat unused for a year. If so, rather than speeding down the highway and going on long-distance drives, it makes sense to warm up our aging engines and take a leisurely short drive before we let it rip.

COMMENTARY

Unfortunately, Baby Boomers can expect lockdown side-effects. In fact, we do not yet know every consequence of spending a year being mostly inactive and isolated, with no schedules and no structure.

The remedy is to limit re-entry to one activity and/or one social engagement per day (or week, or whatever feels right for you). Steadily increase step-by-step. Keep going.

Let's resolve that we will overcome the effects of lockdowns and recover our prior strength, endurance, and other consequences. 

Think positively!

STAY TUNED ...

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: drwendykyman@gmail.com

 

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

COVID PANDEMIC AND LOCKDOWNS, BABY-BOOMER STYLE PART 4

 COVID PANDEMIC AND LOCKDOWNS, BABY-BOOMER STYLE  PART 4

Are you looking forward to The Big Decision?

What? When?

Namely, what actions will Baby Boomers take after a large portion of the population is vaccinated, Covid cases are significantly decreased, and lockdown restrictions are lifted?

CHOICES

- Resume pre-pandemic lockdown lifestyle

- Continue lockdown lifestyle

- Wait and see

- Undecided

One way to decide is to conduct a risk assessment, i.e. weigh benefits vs. risks, as follows:

- Identify favorite activities and behaviors you determine have benefits (rewards) that outweigh risks.

- Identify favorite activities and behaviors you determine have risks that outweigh benefits (rewards).

In essence, what do you value strongly enough that is worth possible consequences? What is not worth possible consequences?

Which of the following matches what you value and also your level of risk tolerance:

- Do you place value on resuming all activities and behaviors enjoyed pre-lockdown? Do you place heightened value on fulfilling wish lists and emptying bucket lists before time (life) runs out? What benefits outweigh what risks?

- Do you value 'doing whatever is necessary to survive?' Do you believe the benefits of (non-guaranteed) protection from Covid and/or other illnesses are worth the risks (hardships) of choosing self-imposed lockdowns, for an indeterminate amount of time?

- Do you choose moderation by limiting activities, as well as reducing bucket and wish lists? Will you categorize activities and items on lists  according to perceived benefits that outweigh perceived risks? What will you place on hold? What will you completely abandon?

COMMENTARY

There is no one-size fits all level of risk tolerance.

There is no correct timetable to conduct risk assessments.

Trust your commonsense to do what is best for you.

Most of all, rely on your aging Baby Boomer-wisdom to guide the benefits vs risks decision-making process. 

STAY TUNED

Part 5

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com 

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

COVID PANDEMIC AND LOCKDOWNS, BABY BOOMER-STYLE PART 3

 Hooray for good news:

Vaccines and effective therapeutics are available. Many places are no longer in lockdown. Others are on the verge of fully opening.

Despite the good news, not all Baby Boomers are ready to totally jump into a post-Covid world. 

After all, for more than a year boomers have had to cope with the frightening statistics that we (along with those older than us) are at high risk of contracting a heinous virus, and possible dying. Gasp!

In effect, boomers have been forced to face our mortality. Double Gasp!!

There is no magic switch that turns off a year's worth of fear, anxiety, and stress. If only.

There is no need to justify or defend feelings and reactions.

There is no need to submit to pressure to 'get over it.'

COMMENTARY

Have patience with yourself. Each of us will recover from this terrible ordeal at our own pace.

Have compassion for yourself. Especially, if you feel your gratitude for, thus far, eluding Covid (or surviving it) is overshadowed by mourning all who did not survive, particularly loved ones and contemporaries.

Let's stay positive and believe, sooner rather than later, all of us will (mostly) recover from virus-related fears and anxiety, and hopefully, the grief.

Reminder: We are The Baby Boomers

We are resilient. We are bold. We are feisty.


STAY TUNED

Part 4

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

COVID PANDEMIC AND LOCKDOWNS, BABY BOOMER-STYLE PART 2

COVID PANDEMIC AND LOCKDOWNS, BABY BOOMER-STYLE  

PART 2

From the onset of the Covid Pandemic countless experts and newscasters reported that Baby Boomers (especially first-wavers) are susceptible to this potentially deadly virus.


So, of course, we paid attention to reports, eager for information. After awhile some of us tuned out. Why? 

Mainly because a lot of media sites started to sound as if a vinyl record was stuck on an endless loop of doom-and-gloom.


These boomers became skeptical. Was there another side to the story? Something, anything hopeful?

Skepticism escalated into disillusion when too many in the media did not distinguish between actual facts and unproven opinions. 


Yet, quite a few boomers continue to tune in for daily doses of unconfirmed, grim reports, even though they likely lead to raised stress levels, heightened fear, increased anxiety, and ...


If you have had enough, consider how your frequently-viewed media sites and expert guests have influenced your wellbeing, perspective, and subsequent decisions regarding Covid and lockdowns.


Then, consider an alternative. Tune out doom-and-gloom. Be pro-active. Located current, objective, reputable, empirical research. Be persistent. It is not easy to find.


COMMENTARY

Knowledge is power.

Proven facts give Baby Boomers worthwhile knowledge.

Opinionated statements and unverified claims rendered by media personalities propped up as omnipotent experts give us worthless notions.


STAY TUNED

Covid Pandemic And Lockdowns, Baby Boomer-Style  Part 3


CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: drwendykyman@gmail.com