Why is the Truth So Difficult

Does Anyone Know What Time it is?

March 06, 2025

Hello there fellow Ageless!

As Women's History Month unfolds and International Women's Day approaches, we're celebrating a truth that defines our generation: authentic power comes not from perfection, but from honesty. This week, we're examining the "white lies" we tell our doctors—and how embracing candor might transform our care. We're also confronting an uncomfortable truth about grandmothering in the modern age: does openly valuing our time diminish or deepen our family bonds? Meanwhile, could the beauty industry's favorite red light be hiding benefits we've been too modest to claim? And as we prepare to lose an hour to Daylight Savings Time this weekend, we're honestly questioning why we still accept this disruptive ritual. This month, as we honor women who changed history, let's remember that our authentic voices—not our perfect appearances—create our most meaningful impact.

🏋️‍♂️ Vibrant Living: Empowering Your Health and Wellness

The White Lies That Could Be Hurting Your Health: We've mastered the art of presentation in our lives—from the perfect social media posts to those carefully worded updates to our adult children. This carefully curated image often follows us into our doctor's office, where up to 90% of us modify our health stories. Not because we’re lying, but because we’re trying to manage impressions— "I try to walk every day" (meaning we walked twice last month), or "I'm cutting back on wine" (while that nightly glass has become a generous pour). We're not reckless teens hiding bad decisions; we're experienced women who have learned that our concerns are often dismissed as "just aging." And we’re not imagining it—research shows women's symptoms are more likely to be overlooked or minimized. This leads many of us to downplay or reframe our issues just to be taken seriously. Unfortunately, these well-intended edits may be working against us.

These omissions can have real consequences, affecting not just us but potentially our loved ones. Without full transparency, doctors can’t tailor the best care—especially for chronic conditions. That "harmless" omission about the new herbal sleep aid might be why your blood pressure medication isn't performing as expected. Those unreported dizzy spells could mask a simple vitamin deficiency rather than a more serious concern—but your doctor needs the complete picture to make that call. Beyond individual health, this pattern contributes to billions in preventable healthcare costs. The good news? Research shows that when there's better communication with our healthcare providers, we're significantly more likely to share important health information—in fact, privacy concerns about medical records, which cause about 1 in 10 women to withhold information, decrease significantly with better patient-provider relationships.

Here’s the shift: instead of telling doctors what we think they want to hear, let’s use the skills we’ve mastered elsewhere—negotiation, advocacy, leadership—to drive better care. Before your next appointment, write down what you've been reluctant to share—not as confessions, but as discussion points. Forget aspirational habits—report your real daily routines. Many practices offer patient portals where you can message concerns in advance, leading to more productive conversations. Consider scheduling earlier day appointments when doctors are less fatigued and more attentive. Studies show decision fatigue affects medical providers just like anyone else, potentially impacting the quality of care later in the day. Remember, your doctor won’t be shocked by your honesty—they’d rather know the truth than make assumptions. No one’s asking us to take an oath before an appointment, but when we bring our full truth to the table, we help ensure the best care possible.

💰 Wealth Wisdom: Securing Your Financial Future

Seasoned Love Knows Its Worth: In less than two months, I'll become a grandmother for the first time. Along with the joy comes an unexpected financial discussion: my daughter, living 300 miles away, hopes I'll help with childcare. While my heart leaps at the chance to bond with my grandson, my mind turns to the economic realities. For our children's generation, facing crushing student debt and soaring living expenses, grandparent care often seems like the only viable option. Recent Labor Department data shows families spend up to $17,000 annually on childcare in urban areas—consuming nearly 20% of a median family's income. But this raises a familiar question for women over fifty: why is our time still considered free?

The economic impact of unpaid care work falls disproportionately on women, an issue that becomes particularly acute after fifty when we're often at our professional peak. Research shows that women providing regular family care sacrifice an average of 5.7 to 24.4 hours weekly—time that could be spent growing businesses, mentoring others, or monetizing decades of expertise. Some countries already recognize this economic reality—Sweden now allows parents to transfer up to 90 days of paid parental leave to grandparents, acknowledging that our time and expertise carry real value. It's a stark contrast to our experience watching our mothers provide endless unpaid labor, their real contributions invisible in economic terms.

Whether providing occasional help or regular care, families today are finding ways to balance love with practicality. Some families arrange hybrid schedules that protect professional commitments while nurturing relationships. Others establish clear compensation, acknowledging that experience doesn't lose its worth just because it's offered to family. Needing or wanting compensation doesn't diminish our love for our grandchildren; it simply acknowledges our worth. The key is finding ways to honor both the priceless moments with our grandchildren and the practical realities of modern life. And truthfully? While I ponder the financial implications of this issue with you here, my heart is already practicing lullabies.

🧠 Lifelong Learning And Brain Boosts

The New Glow Up For Memory: Wouldn't it be something if the same red light we've been using to smooth wrinkles and boost collagen could also help keep our brains sharp? Turns out, that's not just wishful thinking. Scientists are now exploring how near-infrared light could help improve memory, attention, and daily functioning in people experiencing cognitive decline. While it sounds like science fiction, the evidence is compelling: when this light reaches our brain cells, it reduces inflammation and boosts cellular energy—exactly what we need to stay mentally vibrant. Understanding how this breakthrough works could change everything we thought we knew about protecting our aging brains.

Think of your brain cells as having tiny batteries that sometimes need recharging—that's where near-infrared light comes in. This special light can actually penetrate through the skull (amazing, right?) to reach those batteries, called mitochondria, and give them a boost. When these cellular powerhouses are energized, they help our brain cells communicate better and stay healthier longer. It's like giving your brain a natural energy drink, but without the jitters! This process increases blood flow and reduces stress on brain cells—two things we definitely want as we age. Research on traumatic brain injuries suggests that this light therapy not only aids in recovery but also reduces neuroinflammation and improves cognitive function—effects that could be just as beneficial for age-related brain health. The benefits don't stop there: a 2023 study showed that women who used this therapy not only thought more clearly but also slept better. Some researchers even believe red light therapy could be used to enhance neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form and reorganize connections, which could be groundbreaking for stroke recovery and age-related memory loss.

Of course, no one's saying red light therapy is a magic cure for dementia—at least not yet. The research is still in its early stages, and while results are promising, larger studies are needed before doctors start prescribing infrared helmets alongside crossword puzzles and fish oil. But what's compelling is that this is a non-invasive, drug-free intervention that could offer real benefits with little to no side effects. The devices already exist, and while they're not yet mainstream for cognitive health, companies are racing to bring them to market. If science is proving that light can help our skin bounce back and our brains fire up, maybe it’s time we stop dimming ourselves just because the world expects us to fade.

Time Out: Brace yourself—this Saturday night, we lose an hour of sleep as the clocks spring forward once again. If you’re anything like me, you’ll spend Sunday groggy, wondering why we’re still doing this. Changing the clocks might have been fun back when all we had to adjust was the kitchen wall clock. Now? My microwave, my car, and my body clock will be out of sync for weeks. And while our smartphones update automatically (thank heavens for small mercies), our bodies aren’t as quick to adjust. That morning meditation routine we finally perfected? The 3 PM tennis match that keeps us sharp? Suddenly, they feel like they belong to another time zone—because, well, they do.

Here’s the kicker: this system was designed in 1918 to save energy during World War I. Back then, aligning our waking hours with daylight made sense. But in today’s world of 24-hour streaming, remote work, and round-the-clock grocery stores, we’re not exactly burning whale oil anymore. Studies show any energy savings are minimal at best—but the health costs are real. Research links daylight saving time (DST) to higher rates of heart attacks, strokes, workplace injuries, and car accidents due to sleep deprivation. Even our mental health takes a hit with studies showing increases in depression, anxiety, and seasonal affective disorder as our internal clocks struggle to keep up. And for those of us already navigating menopause, sleep apnea, or the joys of 2 AM bathroom visits, losing an hour feels less like an inconvenience and more like a personal attack on our circadian rhythm.

Like it or not, we’re stuck changing the clocks this weekend, so if you’re dreading the adjustment, small tweaks can help. Gradually shifting bedtime by 15 minutes in the days leading up to the change, getting morning sunlight, and keeping a steady sleep routine can lessen the shock. The good news? Change is on the horizon. More than 30 states have introduced legislation to ditch the twice-yearly switch. And they’re not alone—polls show that nearly 60% of Americans want to eliminate this outdated practice for good. Some want permanent standard time (better for sleep), while others push for permanent DST (more evening light). Either way, the debate rages on, and we’re still stuck changing the clocks this weekend. But why not make this the next outdated system we help phase out? We wore pantsuits when they were scandalous, embraced technology when they said we couldn’t, and redefined what it means to age with confidence. Maybe it’s time we fix the clock, too. Until then, I’ll be showing up an hour early (or late?) to book club, blaming it all on Benjamin Franklin—apparently, this was his idea first. Some founding father wisdom, like democracy, we keep. Others, like DST? Maybe it’s time to let it rest.

🔗 The Extras - Fun Stuff We Had to Share

🌿 Sage Reflections

“Reflect upon your present blessings of which everyone has many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all [people] have some.”

-Charles Dickens

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