College After 50: A New Educational Trend

Hello there fellow Ageless! As March unfurls its tapestry, let's explore the thoughtful and engaging content we've arranged just for you:

🏋️‍♂️ Vibrant Living: Empowering Your Health and Wellness

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds: Micro-dosing with LSD and other psychedelics, once considered taboo, is currently being explored for its potential benefit in treating anxiety and depression. Elon Musk was reported as taking Ketamine to ease his depression and Prince Harry said mushrooms helped him deal with the grief of losing his mother. Recently, across the country, working moms, wealthy women who lunch, empty nesters and menopause sufferers alike are toting it as life’s newest hack to a clearer and happier mind. The pressing questions here are: What exactly is this, is it safe, and is it legal?

In recent studies, taking a small dose of certain psychedelic drugs has been reported by individuals to lead to improvements in mood, creativity, and anxiety levels, without the intense hallucinatory experiences associated with higher doses. Recent clinical trials have led to breakthrough therapy status for a drug known as MM120, allowing the FDA to further study this drug as a potential treatment. While all drugs and medications have inherent risk and contraindications, micro-dosing with psychedelic drugs may be safe when done under the supervision and care of a licensed health professional. However, while drugs like Ketamine are legal with a prescription, other drugs in this category are pending research and approval. It is also important to consider, as with any drug, the potential for abuse and resulting need for safety protocols. Promising research like this, as well as recently introduced legislation in several states, may lean toward a future where these drugs are more mainstream. While this change in the narrative may be for the better, more rigorous studies are needed before that can be determined.

💰Wealth Wisdom: Securing Your Financial Future

The Sheconomy And What It Means For Women As They Are Aging: As Barbie mania takes the world by storm and Taylor Swift continues to generate wealth both on the stage as well as the football fields, the Sheconomy, emerging prominently in 2024, symbolizes the increasing economic power and influence of women, catalyzed by enhanced participation in the workforce, educational achievements surpassing those of men and significant societal shifts toward gender equality. These changes have led to women controlling a substantial portion of global wealth, a trend that is projected to escalate. The narrative of the Sheconomy encompasses not just the rise in women’s earnings and spending, but also their growing dominance in consumer decision-making and investments. This shift in economic dynamic underscores a broader societal transformation where women are increasingly recognized not only as consumers, but also as investors, entrepreneurs and leaders.

This new visibility necessitates a more proactive financial approach to maintaining and enhancing this newfound economic independence. Women need to seek financial education to make informed decisions, invest in diverse portfolios to spread risk, and engage in long term financial planning over short term gains. This approach would also include retirement planning that accounts for longer life expectancies and potentially unique career paths which may include breaks for caregiving or part time employment phases. Women can also consider maximizing retirement contributions and exploring retirement savings accounts specifically designed for long term growth. Additionally, we can leverage the growing number of resources and platforms aimed at enhancing female financial literacy and empowerment. By doing so, we can not only preserve our earned status, but also allow our wealth to grow for generations to come.

📚 Lifelong Learning And Brain Boosts

College for Learners of All Ages: The perception of college as a domain exclusively for the young is rapidly changing. Institutions worldwide are recognizing the rich tapestry of experiences that older students bring to the academic table. For learners over 50, college is not just about pursuing a degree; it's a journey of personal enrichment, intellectual stimulation, and social engagement. It’s a chance to redefine retirement, stay connected with evolving industries and even pivot to entirely new careers. Additionally, the pursuit of higher education later in life is linked to improved mental agility, a deeper sense of purpose, and enhanced well-being. Older students involved in social activities are less prone to develop certain health illnesses like cancer and heart disease. Intergenerational learning is also advantageous to the younger students. It helps lessen their negative impressions of older people by seeing them engaged and stimulated in a learning environment. Further, it promotes shared engagement paving the way for meaningful interaction and conversations where older students are able to impart life experience knowledge and wisdom on their younger fellow classmates, while simultaneously learning from them as well.

Colleges are responding to this growing trend by offering flexible schedules, online courses, and tailored programs that cater to mature students' needs. This is particularly important in lieu of the current shrinking population in colleges and encroaching enrollment cliff we are all witnessing. Declining birth rate, lower numbers of immigrant students and a growing loss of affinity with the value of higher education among the younger generation, are all contributing factors and are leading higher education to a position of concern. The rise of older people enrolling in college may be the impetus that it currently needs. Engaging in college education later in life opens doors to new social networks, reignites passions, and is breaking the stereotype that learning has an age limit. It's a powerful testament that personal and professional growth continues at every stage of life, proving that college truly is for learners of all ages.

A Time Out For Adults: Lying down on the floor for breaks is becoming a well adopted practice for stress relief and physical health improvement. This position allows for better connection between the brain and body, helping release tension stored in muscles due to stress or extended periods of sitting. Experts suggest that the physical act of lying down can also prompt the body to enter a more relaxed state reducing the pressure on the spine significantly compared to sitting and enabling a more complete muscle relaxation, leading to a calmer and more grounded state.

Furthermore, this practice not only aids in reducing mental and physical tension, but also supports blood circulation and encourages a shift in perspective, which can foster creativity and problem solving. Historically, the reclined position was common for various activities, highlighting its longstanding benefits. Embracing this simple act as part of a daily routine could offer significant benefits for both mind and body, contributing to a healthier, more mindful lifestyle. One caveat… if you are home alone, make sure you can get up by yourself! 😅

👗 Trend Transcendence

Barbie Celebrates Her 65th Anniversary Yet An Age Old Gap Remains: Since her introduction in 1959, Barbie has evolved from a mere fashion doll to a symbol of empowerment and possibility. Representing over 250 different careers, Barbie has been very busy shattering stereotypes and promoting the message that young girls can be anything they dream. With the introduction of more diverse dolls, Barbie is more representative of the real world embracing all skin tones, body types, and physical abilities. This evolved version of Barbie challenges conventional beauty standards and inspires inclusivity. Unfortunately, this inclusivity has yet to include age.

Mattel maintains that "Girls in particular need to be able to see women telling their own stories, writing their own narratives, living out their own dreams.” In keeping with this sentiment and to commemorate Barbie’s Anniversary, the company has created eight “Role Model” dolls honoring women who are doing just that. Two of the recipients, Viola Davis and Helen Mirren, are over the age of 50. This is the first time that Mattel has introduced a Barbie in this age group. While it is wonderful to see a doll being created that honors the achievement of older women, it is important to note these dolls are not for sale. We say: why not? By excluding dolls of an older age bracket, Mattel is missing an opportunity to engage in the conversation about the value society places on age and the message we are sending to our children and grandchildren about growing older. By expanding Barbie’s representation to include all stages of life, there could be a profound opportunity to teach respect and appreciation for aging, fostering a more inclusive view that beauty, aspiration, and dreams do not diminish with age. Born in 1959, Barbie is a card carrying Baby Boomer who technically just celebrated her 84th birthday as she was born at the age 19. Isn’t it time to honor her presence and success by memorializing this very exciting stage of life in this iconic doll that has clearly stood the test of time?

🔗 The Extras - Fun Stuff We Had to Share

• Shakespeare with Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal? 2025 cannot come soon enough. Check out the details here.

• Is there a gene for poetry?

• Meet the Globe-Trotting Goddess Sailor Cole Brauer who is the first woman to race non stop alone around the world.

• Barbiemania was strongly represented at the Oscars. Watch here to see how Ken won the Oscars without taking home the award.

🌟 Community Spotlight

Remember this section is all about YOU and your fellow Ageless adventurers. We're always on the lookout for inspiring stories, achievements, and how you're living your best life. Got a story to share or know someone who does? Hit reply and tell us all about it. Your journey could be the next feature in our Community Spotlight!

🌿 Sage Reflections

“Everything you do is habit forming, so make sure what you do is what you want to be doing.”

-Wilt Chamberlain

Contrary to popular belief, there is no specified time period associated with creating a new habit. The time it will take depends on what the habit is, as well as surrounding circumstances. Read more about it here. Eager to start? Consider any of these habits which can dramatically improve your life.

Remember, Ageless Ascent is more than a newsletter; it's a community, a movement, a way of life. We're here to explore, learn, and grow together. So, what are you looking forward to the most? Let us know by replying to this email. Your feedback is the compass that guides our adventure.

Till next time,

The Ageless Team

P.S. Stay curious, stay engaged, and most importantly, stay you. The best is yet to come. 🌟