Boost Wellness: Solo Exercise, Penguins & Inspirational Widow’s Story

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World Penguin Day Special: This Week’s Must-reads

In honor of World Penguin Day, we are sharing art from illustrator Abbey Lossing as well as an all-penguin “joy snack” later in this newsletter. Read on to learn about “widow’s work” and solo exercising. But, first, let’s take a look at some must-reads from this week:

• An arthritis drug that can help old dogs deal with side effects
• Understanding ‘oil pulling’ and its effects on oral health
• The influence of disinfectant chemicals called ‘quats’ on brain health
• Investigating the myth of synchronized menstruation in cohabiting women
• Exploring whether dogs can ‘catch’ yawns from humans

Understanding the Daunting Task of ‘Widow’s Work’

An essay by Barbara Morris, a 92-year-old writer, shed light on the emotional and logistical trials of widowhood this week. Notably, she discussed the concept of “widow’s work” — the complex array of financial, medical, insurance, and legal paperwork that surviving spouses must navigate after the death of a partner.

To minimize the stress of “widow’s work”, AARP provides an array of useful guides. Here are four steps you can take now to simplify life for you or your loved ones in the event of a death.

1. Prepare an End-of-Life Notebook: Start compiling all the necessary legal, medical, financial, and end-of-life documents with the help of this AARP worksheet.
2. Write Your Advance Directive: Access the right forms for your state on the AARP website. An advance directive helps your family make medical decisions on your behalf.
3. Make a Will: With less than half of Americans having a will, according to Gallup, it is important to have one in place to ensure your assets are distributed as per your wishes. Legal services like Nolo or LegalZoom can assist with this process for a fee.
4. Create a Digital Estate Plan: The AARP guide can help you manage and share information about utility accounts, credit cards, and social media passwords.

Solo Exercise and Staying Safe

When exercising outdoors alone, whether hiking or running, it is crucial to prioritize safety. The most common dangers are weather conditions, falls, and injuries. A number of resources are available to help you stay safe, including HikeSafe.com, which provides regional advice and a safety knowledge quiz. For more comprehensive advice, read our full article.

Glucose Monitors for Non-Diabetic Individuals

Why are healthy individuals, without diabetes, using continuous glucose monitors? These devices have become popular as a way to keep track of blood sugar fluctuations caused by factors such as diet, exercise, and stress. They can provide real-time data that some individuals find informative and motivational. For more details, read our full column by Harvard physician Trisha S. Pasricha.

Celebrating World Penguin Day

World Penguin Day is celebrated annually on April 25 to raise awareness about these delightful creatures. To celebrate, we are featuring our best penguin content from our archives:

• Penguins in Antarctica taking a surprisingly good ‘selfie’
• A couple’s journey to see all 18 species of penguins
• Adorable penguins discovered on a trip to Antarctica
• A male penguin pair doing a ‘great job’ raising baby chick
• A heartwarming penguin love story with an age gap

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