shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com January 28, 2020 • Page 13 5 Tips to Help Older Adults Be Healthier in 2020 (StatePoint) For many, the new year is about establishing goals for the year ahead. But where should you start? As we age, an increasing number of us link our emotional and physical well-being to our overall health. After all, you can’t do the things you’d like if you aren’t healthy. With that in mind, Cigna and its Medicare Advantage (MA) fitness partner, the Silver&Fit Healthy Aging and Exercise Program, share these five tips to help older adults get fitter and stronger and be less stressed and happier in 2020: 1. Hit the gym. Exercise is a proven way to help you get fitter and stronger, improve balance, lose weight, reduce blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, manage pain and even be more social. Many gyms offer such options as free weights, machines, pools, classes, private instructors and other amenities that can inspire you to try new things. Prefer working out with others? Group classes can help you discover a new exercise, stick to a schedule and find exercise buddies. If you’re new to exercise, remember that slow and steady is the way to build good habits, avoid injury and achieve health goals. It’s always a good idea to consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program. Can’t afford a gym membership? You may be surprised to learn that many MA plans offer exercise programs at top fitness centers and YMCAs for no extra cost. Check your plan for details. 2. Nourish your body. For optimal health, nourish your body with healthy, energizing foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, fish and healthy oils, such as olive oil and sesame oil. Limit pre-packaged, processed foods. Set an achievable goal. Try cutting out one unhealthy food each month, such as sugary soft drinks or chips. Your body will love you for it! Also, stay hydrated, especially when exercising. At the same time, eliminate unhealthy habits, such as smoking or drinking alcohol in excess. With an MA plan, you may be able to get help with smoking cessation products or alcohol counseling at no extra cost. 3. Stress less. Stress can be toxic and debilitating. Develop a “PLAN” to deal with it. According to Cigna’s Dr. Stuart L. Lustig, this includes identifying a Period of time to unwind, a Location to de-stress, an Activity to enjoy and the Name of someone with whom you can talk. Yoga, tai chi and meditation may help you cope with stress, as well as going for walks, listening to music, comedy or audio books -or even coloring. If you’re experiencing extreme stress, talk to your doctor. Remember, the mind and body are connected, and stress takes its toll on physical health. 4. Get social. According to a 2018 Cigna survey, loneliness in America has reached epidemic levels. Nearly half of Americans report sometimes or always feeling alone (46 percent) or left out (47 percent). Loneliness has been shown to negatively impact physical and mental health. Alleviate loneliness by taking one proactive step each week. For example, call or get coffee with friends or family, join a club or volunteer. You can also connect with other active adults on social media. Check out the inspirational health and fitness posts on the @SilverandFit Facebook page and join in the conversations. thankfulness. Think about people and things you feel grateful for, and start a gratitude journal. By doing your best to incorporate these five tips into your life, you’ll kickstart your journey toward a healthier 2020. 5. Practice gratitude. Happiness comes with New Technologies Boost Winter Road Safety While Reducing Salt Use amounts of salt. Experts say that smarter salt spreaders offer a variety of spreading patterns to cover multiple lanes simultaneously, allowing for greater coverage in less time so that salt trucks don't need to make multiple passes to sufficiently clear the roads. As a result, roads can be driven on safely without delay, reducing labor time and related costs, which is attractive to budgetstrapped municipalities. (StatePoint) Last year's long and brutal winter depleted road salt supplies throughout much of the U.S. As a result, a number of cities have experienced significant price spikes when placing their salt orders this year. At a time when experts are highlighting the environmental and infrastructural damage caused by excessive salt use on roads, new technologies are helping American communities reduce their growing dependence on salt, while still keeping roads safe. The U.S. spreads up to 22 million tons of salt per year, a large portion of which finds its way into rivers, streams and soil. Numerous environmental groups and universities have documented the tremendous damage that road salt does to soil conditions, water quality and wildlife. What’s more, excessive road salt also damages roads and bridges, creating the need for millions of dollars’ worth of repairs nationwide every year. Experts say all this salt is not necessary, pointing to Europe where, thanks to smarter technologies, less salt is spread on roads without comprising safety, even in countries with significant snowfall. “The U.S. lags Europe by at least a decade in the adoption of smart salt spreading technologies,” says Marcus Scherer, senior vice president of research and development for Aebi Schmidt, manufacturer of Swenson smart spreaders. “Heavier, wetter salt sticks where it is put down and jumpstarts the melting process. However, we still see some municipalities in the U.S. using dry salt, which is highly inefficient because it bounces or blows off the road before it has a chance to work. Even those U.S. cities that do use wet salt primarily use a mixture that’s less efficient than For more information on the latest smart salt spreading technologies, visit spreadsaltsmarter. com. As road salt takes its annual toll, experts say it’s time to stop over-salting U.S. roads. Luckily, new technologies are making it possible to keep roads safe in budget-friendly and environmentally responsible ways. those used in Europe -- as little as a 5% brine mixture in the U.S. as compared with Europe’s 70:30 ratio which includes 30% brine.” Scherer goes on to explain that most salt spreaders currently on the road in the U.S. cannot handle the preferred mixture used in Europe, largely because their pumps and tanks aren't large enough to accommodate the additional brine. In addition, they don't offer precision placement technologies that carefully and consistently spread salt on the primary driving surfaces. Instead, they randomly drop excessive Let Our Family Business Keep Yours In The Go With: • Farm Filters • Hydraulic Hoses • Bearings & Seals Cox Auto Great Deal! 6 spd. Stick According to Scherer, several cities in the U.S. have already incorporated smart Swenson spreaders into their fleets and have documented salt and labor savings as high as 35%. Such success opens the door to additional testing in other markets, especially given the public's increased focus on the environmental impact of road salt and the growing burden of rising salt prices on city and department of transportation budgets. 1007 Broadway Ave Yankton, SD FREE Community Concert Monday, February 10, 2020 7:00 p.m. Lewis & Clark Theatre 605•665•4494 2014 Chevy Cruze Power Windows, Power Locks, New Tires,Very Clean, Dark Gray $4,995 605-665-3720 • Yankton, SD 328 Walnut St., Yankton For your free tickets go to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. www.afheartlandband.eventbrite.com Click on Yankton concert. Click on green “register” button. Select number of tickets and then click on check out. Enter information requested and complete registration. Click on blue “go to my tickets” button. Click on free order and print your tickets. If you do not have internet access you can pick up tickets at the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, 319 Walnut, Yankton. This concert brought to you by the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, Yankton Hy-vee and Lewis & Clark Theatre Company.