Washington County Weekend Post

2 • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2022 GMTODAY.COM Dining out was once a rarity reserved for special occasions. More recently, consumption of food away from home has played an increasingly larger role in everyday life. According to the United States Department of Agri- culture's Economic Research Service, the increase in din- ing out since the 1970s is owed to a larger share of two-income households, more convenient and afford- able food outlets, increased advertising and promotion by food chains, and the smaller size of most house- holds. One shouldn't discount the wide array of options and the convenience that dining out can provide. There are many advantages to dining out, and the deci- sion to do so during the pan- demic can help local restau- rants stay afloat as they con- tinue to confront the chal- lenges of the COVID-19 out- break. 1. It's fun and exciting Dining out can be a fun and exciting experience that takes people away from the routine of daily life. Dining out presents an opportunity to look forward to a specific day on the calendar. For many, it can be a respite from making meals at home. Din- ing out is a social endeavor, even if you aren't interact- ing with that many other people in the restaurant. 2. Introduces new foods Dining at a restaurant can be eye-opening for cus- tomers willing to try new things. Restaurants that spe- cialize in ethnic cuisine can introduce diners to classic recipes from around the world — something they may not normally try if they do not dine out. 3. Prolongs the dinner hour Dining out gives diners a chance to linger and con- verse without the distrac- tions of home and daily schedules. A restaurant can be a good way to focus on communication with family and friends. 4. Escape workplace distractions A workday lunch or busi- ness meeting held at a restaurant can help cowork- ers escape workplace pres- sures and distractions. Such meals also can be a great way for managers to foster strong relationships and build camaraderie within their teams. 5. Convenience One of the best argu- ments for eating out is the convenience factor. When time is of the essence, mak- ing a reservation, eating out and allowing the restaurant to handle everything from service to cleanup cuts down on work at home. This frees up opportunities to do other tasks, including spending time with one another. 6. Variety Many households are comprised of people with dif- ferent palates. Restaurants have many offerings, which means that each member of the dining party can choose his or her own unique dish. This is not something easily achieved at home. Dining out has been gain- ing popularity for more than 40 years. Individuals and families can explore the many different advantages to enjoying a meal at a local eatery. 6 advantages to dining out The idiom "kick the bucket" is a euphemism for passing away that does not paint such a rosy picture if you consider its origins. However, the phrase "bucket list," though undeniably related to "kick the bucket," definitely sheds a brighter light on the topic of mortali- ty. A bucket list is a plan for living life to its fullest and prioritizing opportunities to engage in all sorts of activi- ties. A bucket list can be made at any point in life and is not exclusive to individu- als facing their own mortali- ty. Here are some tips for putting bucket list plans into action. • Stop and think about what you really want to expe- rience in your lifetime. Leave factors like money or proximity out of it. No ideas are off-limits. This is your opportunity to brainstorm, and nothing is too crazy or silly. • Write the bucket list in a comfortable or inspiring place, which may help ideas flow more freely. The place might be a cozy nook at a bookstore or a quiet spot on the beach. • Choose things that are meaningful to you as well as ideas that are frivolous and fun. Make your list a mix of each, and don't take yourself too seriously. • Divide the bucket list by time. Are there items you can check off in a particular season, such as skiing the Alps? If your bucket list involves moving to a bustling city, determine if you'd like to do that after your children have reached adulthood or if you want to expose them to city life as youngsters. Categorizing the list by periods of your life can make it easier to priori- tize certain activities over others. • Determine if each buck- et list activity will be a soli- tary or joint pursuit. Various activities are more enjoyable when shared with others, but some you might be more inclined to do alone. • Set aside a budget for funding bucket list activi- ties. Bucket lists may include some costly activi- ties, so start saving now so money does not stand in your way. Open a savings account specifically for fund- ing bucket list excursions and set up automatic deposits. Bucket lists can encour- age people to live life to the fullest and it's never too early to get started on a list of your own. How to make a bucket list a reality In an ideal world, people young and old exercise each day. But as men and women age, finding time to work out is not so easy. Commitments to work and family often take prece- dence over daily exercise. As a result, many people 50 and over might not have exer- cised regularly or at all in many years. But as children grow up or even move out, people facing down their golden years are often com- pelled to get back in the gym. That's a wise decision that can increase a person's chances of being healthy and happy in retirement. But before beginning a new exercise regimen, men and women over 50 should take heed of the following safety tips to ensure their efforts are not derailed by accident or injury. • Speak with your physician. The National Institute on Aging notes that even people with chronic conditions such as heart dis- ease, diabetes or arthritis can be physically active. However, anyone with such a condition and even those who don't fall into those cat- egories should consult with their physicians and receive a full physical before exercis- ing. Such a consultation and checkup can shed light on any unknown issues, and physicians can offer advice on how to safely manage any problems that may arise. • Begin with low-inten- sity exercises. Even if you feel great and have main- tained a healthy weight, don't push yourself too hard at the start. Your body needs time to adjust to physical activity, so choose low-inten- sity exercises like walking and light strength training so your muscles, tendons and ligaments can adjust. Initially, exercise every other day so your body has ample time to recover between workouts. • Stay hydrated. The NIA notes that many people lose their sense of thirst as they age. But just because you aren't thirsty does not mean you don't need water, especially while exercising. Water regulates body tem- perature and lubricates the joints, thereby decreasing your risk of injury during exercise. Exercising after 50 can help people live healthy well into retirement. But caution must be exercised when aging men and women return to exercise after a long break. Exercise and aging: How to work out safely after 50

• Cover