Although it’s been a few years since I played it, I’m no stranger to the game of Candy Crush. There, I’ve said it. But it seems a bit old hat now that there are so many more online gaming options to choose from.

Online gaming has become an increasingly popular activity for adults of all ages. It can be a great way to keep your brain active and engaged, while also providing a fun activity to share with grandchildren or friend

No matter why you choose to play, maybe whilst travelling, waiting for someone, or simply to while away the time during your coffee break, studies have shown that playing online games can help improve memory, concentration, and reaction time in adults. So there are some secret benefits of online gaming for adults

Nowadays, there is an online game to interest everyone, from gardening and cookery, to learning about money, or how to run a burger bar. All are designed to help you develop new skills, all from the comfort of your own home!

As people get older, the old ‘use it or lose it’ adage becomes a kind of mantra. Many mature folks turn to crosswords or Sudoku to keep their mind and brain active. But online games provide so many more benefits than simply sitting with a pen and filling in squares with letters or numbers.

You will find gaming can improve your concentration and focus, and enhance your hand-eye coordination, and reflexes because you need to have quick reactions and precise movements, and complete multiple tasks all at the same time.

Some of the key advantages of regularly doing some online gaming are that they present you with challenges that need creative thinking, logical reasoning, and planning, which you then carry forward into other areas of your life.

Some of the most challenging online games I’ve come across are to be found quite unexpectedly here

The choice is amazing, and there is something for everyone. I especially like this one it’s absorbing and not too frantic.  The idea is to build a salad, from the ingredients shown on the grid. You move things like tomatoes, onions, and various salad items around until they ‘merge’ into one, and you’ve created a plate of salad.  Each completed salad moves you further toward an upper level.

There is a tutorial to help you get started, and you could quite easily play this game with children of any age to help them recognise different vegetables and salad ingredients. You can turn off the toot-toot music if you want to, although I don’t find it intrusive at all.

This game needs cognitive skills, and decision-making, and will also need to recognise patterns and retain information. All of these online skills can extend and help you with real-life situations.

Online gaming can improve concentration and focus but it’s important to say that too much gaming can have negative effects too. It’s crucial, as you get older, to maintain a healthy balance between gaming and other activities and to prioritize physical exercise, social interactions, and other aspects of well-being.

So when you feel it’s time to move on from Candy Crush, you might find else something that appeals to your sense of creativity, and helps you to use it, not lose it!

Sixty may seem like a scary age, but it doesn’t have to be! In fact, 60 can be the best decade of your life. You’re finally out of your 20s and 30s, and you’ve learned a lot about life by this point. You know what you want, and you’re not afraid to go for it. Here are some tips for living your best life in your 60s.

Travel

Take a trip somewhere, preferably overseas. You have time to travel now that you’re not working full time and don’t have kids at home. This can be a great way to see the world before it’s too late for you. It’ll also give you some perspective on life outside of your home country, which is always good when trying out new things or learning about other cultures.’

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Stay Active And Healthy

Now that you’re a little older, it’s more important than ever to stay active. You don’t have to go to the gym every day or run a marathon, but try to find some way to move your body every day. This will help keep you healthy and strong as you age. It’s also vital to never skip any of your annual check-ups. That means doctors and dentist appointments. If there are any problems, they can be mitigated quickly—especially your teeth. If there is a problem that arises, find out if you are suitable for getting porcelain veneers.

Keep Learning

The more you learn, the more you’ll realize just how much there is left to explore. So continue pursuing those interests you’ve always had, and try something new too.

Stay Social

Spending time with friends and family is a great way to stay connected and feel supported. Make time for the people you love most, and enjoy doing things together. Spending time with the people you love is important for both your mental and emotional health. Make sure to schedule regular gatherings with loved ones so that you don’t miss out on all of their wisdom, support, and laughter.

Embrace Change

Things will change as you get older, and that’s okay. So let go of what’s no longer working for you and welcome the new opportunities that come your way. 

Just because you are getting older, doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the things you used to. There are many options available such as respite care, and other support if you feel worried about going out. 

Make Time For Yourself

Taking a little time each day for yourself can help reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. Take a walk, read a book, or take a yoga class – whatever makes you happy.

Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva from Pexels

Find A Hobby

Having something that brings you joy is essential to living your best life at any age. Consider starting gardening, painting, knitting – whatever makes you happy.

Enjoy Life

This is your time! Don’t spend all of your time worrying about work or retirement or what might happen in the future. Instead, enjoy the present moment and live each day to its fullest. You only get one chance at life, so make the most of it!

The best way to live your life in your 60s is by embracing the new you. This means taking care of yourself both mentally and physically by doing things that make you happy. Living your best life in your 60s is about embracing all that this stage of life has to offer. It’s a time for reflection and celebration while also embracing new challenges and opportunities.

The Benefits of the Cycle to Work Scheme

A UK government programme called cycle to work encourages workers to commute by bicycle rather than use their car. This programme offers employers and employees tax and National Insurance savings in addition to several other financial advantages, as discussed below:

Tax and National Insurance savings 

Employers can buy bicycles and equipment worth up to £1000 for their employees under the cycle to work programme without paying taxes or National Insurance contributions. Because of this, the programme is a desirable choice for businesses wishing to reduce their payroll expenses.

Employees can also benefit from tax savings when they repay the bicycle’s cost in monthly instalments from their wage without paying any tax or National Insurance contributions.

Cost savings for employers

 Employers can profit from reduced parking, fuel, and maintenance costs when their employees choose to cycle rather than drive, in addition to the financial advantages of lower tax and National Insurance contributions. As a result, businesses may eventually experience significant cost reductions as a result of this.

Lower travel expenses

Compared to driving or using public transit, cycling to work is a significantly more affordable means of transportation. Employees can save money on gas, parking, and transportation costs by cycling to work. Over time, this can save a lot of money.

Free implementation 

Local governments may offer bike sheds for free or at a discount, with funds set aside to promote cycling.

Health benefits for employees

 Regular riding has health benefits and financial advantages in the cycle-to-work programme. Cycling is a fantastic exercise that enhances general well-being, lowers stress levels, and improves cardiovascular health. Frequent cycling can also assist in reducing sick leave, which can help businesses save even more money.

Employer branding, recruitment, and employee welfare

 Cycling to work benefits corporate branding and may increase your appeal to prospective hires as one of the incentives you offer employees. It exhibits concern for the welfare of a company’s workforce.

Cutting down on commuting times

 Traffic congestion and the time spent stuck in it are two of the most annoying aspects of travelling to and from work, especially after a long day at the office. This is especially true when there are delays caused by accidents or roadworks!

Environmental benefits

 Cycling to work is a sustainable mode of transport that reduces carbon emissions and traffic congestion. Employers encouraging cycling to work can demonstrate their commitment to corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability.

Encourages corporate social responsibility

 Promoting cycling as a mode of transportation to work shows a company’s dedication to environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility, which can improve its reputation and draw in socially conscious workers.

Retention

 Like other income sacrifice programmes, a cycle-to-work system may be a delaying factor for job changes.

In conclusion, employees and businesses can benefit financially from the cycle-to-work scheme. In addition, the programme can lower travel expenses, boost health and productivity, and create a cleaner, more sustainable environment by encouraging more people to cycle to work.

Whoever invented them should be punched hard, on one side of their face, and smothered with kisses on the other. Has one item of clothing ever been so loved and hated in equal measure?

Loved, I would guess, mainly by women, hated, I can confidently say, mainly by men.

Every autumn, when bare leg days are behind us, I vow that when the chill does finally come into the air, and it’s time for chunky jumpers and warm jackets, I will NOT, most definitely NOT succumb to wearing that ‘capsule’ item of clothing found lurking in almost every woman’s wardrobe, BLACK LEGGINGS.  But every year, I always do, and I hate myself for it.

But aren’t they oh so easy to wear, so comfy, so cosy, and best of all, so flipping cheap!  Perhaps therein lies the irony of it all.

Many girls pop on leggings these days, almost the same way they pop on their knickers, they wear them EVERY time they go out.  It’s only their tops and shoes, which change, depending on the destination.

Leggings have become the young Mum’s uniform of choice. Teamed with baggy T-shirts and woolly socks for indoors. Baggy T-shirts, a waterfall cardi, and flip flops for a trip to the local shops. Baggy T-shirt, jacket, and Ugg boots for the school run, and if they are really pushing the boat out, hardly any T-shirt at all, and SPARKLY leggings, with sky-high shoes for clubbing.  Dress ‘em up, dress ‘em down. Anything goes.

Having said that, it’s quite a challenge dressing leggings ‘down’ any further than they already ultimately go.

But what about us more ‘mature’ ladies?   Have you said, Hello Sixty, bring it on, but I won’t be a slave to fashion? I can’t wear leggings at my age, they are far too unkind to my figure, it’s not what it was.  Jeggings are the way forward for me!

Regardless of age, should we look on leggings, as our comfortable friends, or are they the work of the ‘does my arse, tummy, hips, thighs, and legs, look big in this’ fat fairy in a bad mood.

Do you wear them to Waitrose, or are they something you prefer just to wear in the privacy of your own home?

Men hate leggings, and that’s a fact.  I recall in the late ’80s when leggings first became popular, a ‘gentleman friend’ of mine once commented that the sight of me, in leggings, reminded him of Max Wall. I’m still wounded. He is not my friend anymore. Max Wall indeed.

But what is it about leggings that turn men off so much? I mean they are black, and they cover your legs, pretty much like stockings, but I guess that’s where the similarity ends.

Leggings clearly do not have the same appeal to men, as a silky 10-denier black lacy-edged stocking.  But both are black, and both cover the length of your legs, but I think they occupy the same space in a man’s head as tights, without the gusset.

SUCH a great word GUSSET. It’s worthy of a mention for no other reason.

Strange isn’t it that many things that men find sexy are so bloody uncomfortable. Suspenders. Corsets. Stilettoes……you know it’s true.

How typical, that something as comfy as leggings, should be such a turn-off. So tell us where you stand on the legging front. Will you be wearing them loud and proud this winter, or could nothing persuade you to go there?

73 QUESTIONS ABOUT ME

Well someone at Vogue thought it would be a good idea to ask some celebs these 73 questions, https://video.vogue.com/series/73-questions and whilst I can’t aspire to the dizzy heights of celebdom, I was asked by http://www.suefoster.info to take part.

So grab a coffee and if you have the time and inclination, here are my answers!

1. What is your usual Starbuck’s order?
I don’t ‘do’ Starbucks, but in a café, it would be a one shot flat white. Strange how I hardly ever drink coffee at home, only when I go out!
2. What does your workstation look like right now?
My workstation is my pine kitchen table, sitting on a bright pink painted kitchen chair, with big soft cushion as I spend so much time here. My puppy is asleep in his bed under my ‘workstation’!
3. All-time favourite food?
Roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, but only a home made one.
4. Favourite author?
Caitlin Moran
5. What do you think of open relationships?
I think it has the potential to be very dangerous, it’s not for me.
6. Favourite video game?
I have never played a video game and feel no overwhelming desire to ever do so!
7. Guilty pleasure treat?
Crips and Hummus dip with a glass of Barefoot Merlot
8. Favourite film?
I’m stuck in a time warp, I still love Love Actually
9. Favourite book?
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
10. Twitter or Instagram?
Instagram, but I still don’t ‘get’ how people make fortunes, someone tell me how to do it. (more…)