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The Fountain of Youth Might be A Good Night’s Sleep

Traveling after the nest empties presents the opportunity for growth and adventure, but too many Baby Boomers choose not to hit the road once they retire, worried about the lack of sleep that can make you feel terrible and harm your health. However, the symptoms you assume are age-related are treatable, the culprit: sleep apnea. CONTINUE READING >> 

Traveling after the nest empties presents the opportunity for growth and adventure, but too many Baby Boomers choose not to hit the road once they retire. Instead, they accept slowing down as a part of getting older. People incorrectly assume that symptoms like memory loss, grumpiness, difficulty concentrating or fatigue are all inevitable and simply accept their fate.

Don’t.

As we age, our bodies change. Your body doesn’t recover as quickly as it once did. Hamburgers stick to your ribs a little longer, you can’t sleep as much, and you might be feeling a lack of energy during the day. However, the symptoms you assume are age-related might be a more serious (but treatable) culprit: sleep apnea. Everyone knows how sluggish you feel after a poor night’s sleep — imagine feeling this way throughout the work day.

Not only does a lack of sleep make you feel terrible, it also harms your health. Some sleep apnea side effects include daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating and a depressed immune system. Sleep apnea can affect your health beyond sleep deprivation. Studies show a correlation between obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes, heart disease, as well as  depression.

Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most dangerous untreated sleep disorders. Sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, triggering an awakening or a drop in blood oxygen levels. It is hard for people to know they’re suffering from sleep apnea because most visible symptoms of the condition occur during sleep. Most people learn the severity of their sleep apnea after being filmed sleeping.

Treat Sleep Apnea

Do you suspect you’re suffering from sleep apnea? When your brain is sleep deprived, you may see a difference in:

♦ Attention span
♦ Cognitive speed
♦ Memory
♦ Decision making
♦ Emotional intelligence
♦ Overall behavior

It’s almost impossible to to appreciate the benefits of traveling if you sleepwalk through your journey.

The first step of treating sleep apnea is a sleep test. Your healthcare provider will probably want to perform a pulse oximetry test. This overnight test will reveal how much oxygen is in your blood when you sleep.  If your pulse oximetry test indicates further testing is necessary, you will need to complete a sleep study in a sleep clinic or at home.

A home sleep test is cheaper than a clinic test, and you tend to sleep better in your bed than in a sterile clinic. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, the next step will be your doctor giving you a prescription for a CPAP machine.

CPAP

A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine keeps your oxygen levels at appropriate levels while you sleep by supplying a constant and steady air pressure. There are three basic components: the motor, the hose, and the CPAP mask.

The CPAP motor is basically a small compressor that draws in room temperature air and gently pressurizes it. Some masks have humidifiers to moisture the pressurized air. The hose simply delivers the pressurized air from the motor to the CPAP mask. CPAP masks come in three variations: nasal pillow, nasal mask, and full face mask. When choosing a mask, the most important things to consider are size, fit and comfort.

Traveling with a CPAP Machine

A new CPAP machine can be seem taxing to travel with, and you might be tempted to leave your CPAP at home (or simply avoid traveling). However, it is crucial to be consistent with your sleep therapy, so be sure to bring your machine along no matter how short your trip. With some forethought, traveling with a CPAP machine will become second nature.

Travel tips:

♦ Invest in a travel bag to keep your machine dry and safe.
♦ Bring an extension cord & batteries so you can stay flexible in a hotel room.
♦ Consider a travel machine, which can run off battery power and fits in your back pocket! A travel machine is especially helpful if you plan to sleep on a train, plane, or automobile.
♦ Bring extra supplies! All CPAP supplies require replacement and cleaning, so be sure to stay on top of your resupply schedule.
♦ Pack backup energy sources. If your travel plans include time away from a power source (like camping), there are several battery powered CPAP machines. Because the battery can usually be charged using a standard vehicle lighter, it is a good to have if you need to snooze on a long road trip.

Flying with a CPAP

Boarding a plane for your summer travels? Your machine is considered a medical device and is cleared for air travel. That said, you should always check with your airline to become familiar with their procedure for checking a CPAP machine at the gate. This will save you a good bit of time and hassle once you get to the airport. It’s always a good idea to have a prescription on hand in case security needs to further check your device.

Using a CPAP during the flight will depend on your airline. Some airlines will require 48 hours of advance notice, while some have less stringent guidelines. A phone call to your airline should provide all the information that you need. For more on CPAP machines and airlines, the FAA portable electronic regulation report is a great source for traveling with your machine.

If you’re traveling internationally, be sure to research your power options and bring along the correct plug adapter. Your adapter might vary based on where you are, so it’s important to be prepared before you embark on your trip!

The Fountain of Youth

Sleep apnea is insidious because you might not even notice you are affected when it happens to you. Sleep apnea symptoms are treatable. If you’ve assumed your sleep apnea symptoms are related to the natural aging process, treating undiagnosed sleep apnea could feel like the fountain of youth. If you  need CPAP equipment, be sure to find out if you qualify through insurance for your CPAP supplies.

We are happy to feature this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

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3 Ways to Add Some Luxury to Your Camping Holiday

If you fancy a change from the traditional camping trip, we’ve found three camping holidays that combine the great British pastime with a luxurious edge for your next summer holiday… CONTINUE READING >> 

When you’re planning your next luxury holiday, a camping trip may not be the first thing that might come to mind. Camping tends to evoke images of drizzly summer staycation trips, but this type of holiday still holds a special place in the hearts of most UK residents.

If you fancy a change from the traditional camping trip, we’ve found three camping holidays that combine the great British pastime with a luxurious edge for your next summer holiday.

Glamping in the Isle of Wight

Just off the coast of Hampshire is the Isle of Wight, a popular tourist attraction due to its distinctive landscapes, its dramatic cliffs and hidden beaches, which make it the perfect holiday destination for those who love camping.

Add a touch of luxury to your Isle of Wight camping holiday by researching some of its glamping spots that have the beach right on their doorstep. Stylish yurts complete with room service, en suites with roll top baths and swimming pools are all available to find – with this level of luxury, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were holidaying abroad!

Camping in France

France is full of options for beautiful spots to go camping. Whether you want to head to Pyrenees in the south of France, Loire in central France or Brittany in the north, camping is a great way to get closer to nature in this beautiful country.

With delicious food to try, a rich culture and stunning sights, anyone with a love of the great outdoors will love camping in France. Go to an outdoor holiday specialist like Eurocamp to find some luxury camping options in France – forget about traditional camping, where you’re pitching up a tent in a field. You could have a mobile holiday home complete with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, wooden terraces and gas barbeques.

Stay in a Treehouse in South Africa

One of the most breath-taking examples of luxury camping abroad is at Lion Sands Game Reserve, a nature retreat with stunning open-air treehouses, so you can sleep under the stars. It’s comfortable, luxurious and romantic, with the chance to share private dinners surrounded by the majestic landscape, as well as getting closer to the sights and sounds of the wildlife in South Africa.

If you love camping but you’re on the lookout for a luxury getaway this summer, our three suggestions are the perfect mix of the two. Whether you want to go glamping, hire a holiday home or stay under the stars in a treehouse, you can enjoy a nice (and more comfortable) change from the traditional camping holiday.

We are happy to feature this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

The UK’s Top 4 Most Scenic Walking Holiday Destinations

The UK is home to some of the best walking holiday destinations in the world. What with so many areas of beautiful scenery, gorgeous lakes, craggy mountain ranges and luscious rolling hills, it’s the perfect landscape for enjoying a fun filled walking holiday. CONTINUE READING >> 

The UK is home to some of the best walking holiday destinations in the world. What with so many areas of beautiful scenery, gorgeous lakes, craggy mountain ranges and luscious rolling hills, it’s the perfect landscape for enjoying a fun filled walking holiday. With this in mind, we’ve selected 4 of the most breath-taking destinations from each country to get you inspired to plan your next rambling trip:

England

When it comes to England, there’s one walking holiday destination that beats the rest and it has to be the Lake District. Incredibly beautiful the emerald valleys of the Lakes inspired the likes of the romantic poets to write they’re most famous literature the sights are so beautiful. So, don your walking boots and head to Grasmere and follow in the footsteps of Wordsworth and Coleridge as you hike through the steep hills of this gorgeous part of the world.

Scotland


Image via Flickr by ro431977

Enormous mountains, deep valleys and tranquil lochs, Scotland’s West Highland Way is one of the world’s most famous walking trails. Starting in Glasgow and extending all of the way to Fort William. The route offers over 90 miles of rushing rivers and stunning rock formations making it both challenging and beautiful at the same time.

Northern Ireland

Beautiful coasts and rugged rock formations, the stunning areas of natural beauty make it one of the most visited walking destinations in the world. Made famous by the blockbuster movie P.S I Love You, hundreds of people flock to Northern Ireland each year to admire the luscious green valleys for themselves. On a walking holiday, the Causeway Coast is perhaps the most popular route highlighting the diverse natural landscapes.

Wales


Image via Flickr by dave-pemcoastphotos.com

With 3 national trails and over 30 long distance routes to explore, Wales has an amazing variety of options when it comes to walking holidays. One offering the most sensational views is the Pembrokeshire Coast Path which has an abundance of things to see and do including tons of wildlife spotting opportunities, rugged beaches and secluded coves.

With so much to offer when it comes to scenic views, people going on walking holidays in the UK are spoilt for choice with all these stunning areas to choose from. Head there with an experienced walking tour operator to make sure you get the most out of your trip and don’t forget your camera to take some postcard perfect snaps of those stunning views.

We are happy to feature this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Top 4 Safe and Practical Traveling Tips For Seniors

You shouldn’t stop traveling just because you’ve retired. On the contrary, retiring is easily one of the best opportunities for traveling. CONTINUE READING >> 

You shouldn’t stop traveling just because you’ve retired. On the contrary, retiring is easily one of the best opportunities for traveling.

Ask yourself a serious question: would you rather continue living your day-to-day life in your Ottawa apartment or house you’re renting, or would you rather travel and see all the places in the world you’ve always wanted to see?

Granted, traveling for many people over the age of sixty five is not exactly the same as for people who are many years younger. Physical limitations do exist for individuals who are older, but this should not deter you from going out and enjoying yourself. You just need to know how to travel safely and practically to ensure everything goes smoothly and without incident.

Here are the top four safe and practical traveling tips for seniors:

Find Travel Insurance

While travel insurance is something that any traveler of any age should get, it’s something that’s even more important for seniors. The reason why is because older travels are simply more at risk for illnesses, injuries, or needing medication. You can also turn to travel insurance if you lose your prescription meds or if your passport or any other valuables become lost or stolen.

Travel insurance will help ensure that you are fully covered even when you are in a foreign country, and it won’t even add a whole lot to your monthly expenses.

Keep Track Of Your Medicine 

You should treat the same amount of attention to your medicine as you do to your passports, money, and other valuable items. Never leave your medicine out in the open in your hotel room (or anywhere), and as a golden rule always have at least a two days’ supply on you at all times.

Print Out Your Travel Documents 

You should print out your travel documents so you always have them handy. To be more specific, you’ll want to print out copies of your passport ID, visas, medical info, travel insurance, and a list of emergency contacts with their home and cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

Bring As Few Valuables With You As Possible 

Finally, you’ll want to keep the valuable possessions you bring with you to a minimum. Examples include nice electronic equipment, jewelry, watches, and so on. By bringing these items with you and having them on full display, you’ll only put a target on your back for thieves and robbers.

While it is true that certain travel insurance plans can help cover the cost of any valuables stolen, it would still be better if none of your valuables were stolen in the first place, right? Therefore, think carefully about what you will bring with you, and if you do bring valuable items try to keep them hidden as much as possible both in your hotel room and on your person.

Traveling Safely

By following the tips you have learned in this article, you can ensure that your worldwide travels are equally as safe as they are fun.

We are happy to feature this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Save For That Next Big Trip

One of the first questions anyone who travels a lot gets asked is How do you find the money? There are probably as many answers as there are travelers but perhaps the best way is to save money on the things we use every day… CONTINUE READING >> 

One of the first questions anyone who travels a lot gets asked is How do you find the money?

Well, there are probably as many answers as there are travelers because we all have our little tricks to help us keep our expenses down. But perhaps the best way is to save money on the things we use every day. That’s where a website like CouponGrind can really come in handy.

There are big savings available on most anything and everything, from clothes to computers, and gifts to groceries. For us vagabonds, there are also values to be had on the items needed when planning for a big trip.

We found coupons for luggage, like the bags we use when packing with our One Trip Rule. This is our philosophy where every item we have must be able to be pushed, pulled, gripped, strapped, or carried simultaneously.

The “One Trip Rule” makes it so much easier to keep track of everything, and our belongings never get left unattended while moving between airports, taxis, trains, shuttle busses, and hotels. When no bags are feeling lonely and neglected, no bags mysteriously disappear.

Another rule of ours is to never leave home without a couple of cameras, and we found deep discounts on them at CouponGrind as well.

There are big bargains offered on most everything needed to make any trip enjoyable and economical, like hotels, restaurants, and apparel, so traveling and savings can be simultaneous.

We discovered discounts for amazing attractions like diving, zip lining, dolphin encounters, and exploring Mayan ruins at Xcaret in Cancun. As much as we like to push the envelope, there was one event even we would have to pass on, swimming with sharks. Oh wait, it’s perfectly safe. They are nurse sharks and don’t think of us as dinner at all.

One exceptional deal we found could come in extra handy for those who have to leave a beloved pet behind when gallivanting across the globe. CouponGrind’s favorite litter box, Luuup, is on special so that friends and family who serve as pet sitters can relax and have a lot less mess to mess with.

Luuup has revolutionized the kitty clean-up process with the three sifting tray litter system. It’s the smartest and cleanest way to manage your kitty litter needs and surely the last litter box you’ll ever need.

Just LIFT & SIFT to clean the litter box. Lifting and gently sifting the top tray easily separates the waste from the clean litter. This economical and innovative litter sifting system removes only what needs to go, so litter lasts longer while away on vacay, saving both time and money.

Dare we say that Luuup’s quality materials and the aesthetic design can make tossing those scoops a pleasant experience? Yes, we dare so check out the Luuup discount codes and coupons at CouponGrind. No wonder they’re one of the fastest growing and bestselling pet product companies out there!

Maybe that extra cash could pay for an extra day or two of vacation.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

We are happy to feature this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Come With Us to Cornwall

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Thanks to the folks at Country Walkers, we are on our way to England for a self-guided tour of the rugged seaside landscapes of Cornwall.

CONTINUE READING >> 

Thanks to the folks at Country Walkers, we are on our way to England for a self-guided walking tour of the rugged seaside landscapes of Cornwall.

Fear not, self-guided doesn’t mean that we will be left to fend for ourselves.  Every aspect of the trip has been carefully planned and detailed maps with route notes ensure that we’ll always find our way.

While we are following these comprehensive itineraries, seamless luggage transfers will whisk our bags from hotel to hotel. Even many of the meals are included, making it so easy to Explore the World One Step at a Time®.

By being able to go on our own we can set our perfect pace, hiking harder when we feel rough and ready, or lingering longer when the spirit moves us.

We will be hiking along England’s longest marked walking route, the famous South West Coast Path.

At over six hundred miles, we can’t possibly cover it all, (OK, it might be possible but we’d rather not commit an entire year to the trek) so our week-long adventure will focus on a portion in Cornwall.

This Cornish quest begins in the fishing port of Padstow, where we expect to work up an appetite for its some of famous, fresh seafood.

Next, we will explore the beaches of St. Ives, where unexpected palm trees give the beach a Mediterranean feel.

We finish our excursion at St. Michael’s Mount near Penzance. Pirates or not, we will be checking out the 12th-century monastery and castle that rises out of the sea just off the coast. Our timing has to be good, because it is only accessible by a narrow cobblestone path that rises above water at low tide.

Then, after we return we will be posting in depth stories detailing every step along the way.

So come with us as we discover the invigorating and intriguing pleasures of Cornwall while exploring it the most intimate way possible, on foot.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Join us LIVE all week on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Read all about the Country Walkers Cornwall tour here.

4 Questions To Ask Before Purchasing Senior Travel Insurance

If you’re currently retired and plan on traveling around the world often, then you definitely will need to purchase senior travel insurance. While you may believe that travel insurance is not necessary, the truth is it can help cover any emergencies you face during your trips for that particular year. CONTINUE READING >> 

If you’re currently retired and plan on traveling around the world often, then you definitely will need to purchase senior travel insurance. While you may believe that travel insurance is not necessary, the truth is it can help cover any emergencies you face during your trips for that particular year.

Senior travel insurance is different from the senior life insurance like you might buy from seniorlifeinsuranceplans.com. Therefore, you need to ask yourself a different set of questions before deciding on which specific insurance you will buy.

Here are the top four questions to ask before purchasing senior travel insurance:

How Long Will Your Trip Last? 

First, you need to ask how long your trip will last, and be specific. The reason you need to ask this question is because certain travel insurance plans will only cover trips of a certain length. The best plans to get will be ones that offer coverage for transportation in the event of medical emergencies for trips a minimum of six months in length.

Do You Have Any Pre-Existing Conditions?

Pre-existing medical conditions are a major factor to take into account for anyone over the age of 65 who is purchasing travel insurance. Several plans out there do not cover pre-existing conditions, which will obviously not work for you if you do have such a condition. Be sure to speak with the insurance provider(s) you are considering about any coverage for pre-existing conditions they offer.

Does The Insurance Provider Cover Travel Accidents?

Next, ask if the provider you are considering covers any accidents sustained on your trip. This will be especially important if you plan on doing anything like mountain climbing, skydiving, or anything that’s athletic or high risk.

What Are You Bringing With You?

Finally, do you have any valuable items in your suitcase that you’re breaking along with you? If so, be sure to go with a travel insurance provider that will offer coverage for any items that become lost or stolen on your trip. The coverage insurance providers here can vary significantly. Some will cover the actual price of the stolen or lost item, while others will only cover the current market value of that item. It’s also important that you have receipts for each of your valuable items as well that you can show to your provider.

Finding The Best Senior Travel Insurance Coverage For You

Traveling is something that you should be doing more, not less of, after you hit sixty five years of age. After all, your retirement years are your opportunity to do everything you have on your bucket list.

To guarantee that your travels are equally as safe as they are fun, it’s important that you purchase the very best senior travel insurance plan that you can. By asking yourself these four questions for each of the plans you are considering, you will ensure that you receive more than adequate insurance coverage for your next trip.

We are happy to feature this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.