July is National Sandwich Generation Month as we celebrate family caregivers who are caring for two generations simultaneously – younger children and older parents or grandparents. In this episode we are focusing on how the Sandwich Generation can find self-care for International Self-Care Day on July 24. We also look at summer travel and how we are going from staycations to what Sherri calls mini “wellcations.”

We start with Sherri’s inspirational interview with Steve Nygren, the founder and CEO of Serenbe – one of the top wellness spots to live in the U.S. and a growing trend of neighborhoods built with biophilic design that means “love of life and nature” and which Sherri writes about in her upcoming book, “The Snug Home – A Family Caregiver’s Guide to Well Home Design.”

Caregiver Wellness News

We also offer some tips for caregivers in our Caregiver Wellness News on how to find a little me time and self-care for International Self-Care Day on July 24. Sherri shares a recent study showing most Americans are suffering from a self-care shortage – she explains how little stress-free time Americans get during the day, what are the two barriers to practicing self-care and easy tips on how to find your “me time” and personalized self-care routine. Another study showed parents pass on their love of nature to their children. And finally, one more study found people closer to nature eat healthier – more veggies and especially good greens.

For our Well Home Design News we provide Summer Travel Tips for the Sandwich Generation – including something you may not know about – respitality – and the latest trend in virtual travel. Sherri explains how it is all about going from “staycations” to “wellcations.” Sherri also shares information on the latest travel trend for older adults who find physical travel challenging – virtual travel with services from Discover Live, Wowzitude or Heygo.

And Sherri shares science-backed data on why living in a biophilic environment both increases well-being and health but can also lower dementia and Alzheimer’s risk particularly in older adults.

Me Time Monday Wellness Hack

We finish the episode as always with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack on music therapy. We continue our theme for 2022 of “Living Colorfully” by focusing on the color green. It means calm, renewal, refresh and good luck. Sherri explains the color psychology and science behind “green living.”It’s all part of Sherri’s upcoming book, “Me Time Monday – The Weekly Wellness Edit for a Wonderful Life.”

RESOURCE LINKS

Serenbe

ARCH National Respite Network – find resources to get respite care help and find respitality in assisted living

UsAging – find resources to get respite care help and find respitality in assisted living

Respitality in Scotland

Freebird Club – an article by our friend Rich Eisenberg on a new trend in age 50+ AirBnB model of travel

Recent study showing most Americans are suffering from a self-care shortage.

Study showed parents pass on their love of nature to their children.

Another study found people closer to nature eat healthier – more veggies and especially good greens.

A study found growing up near nature can reduce cellular aging maybe even more than exercise in children.

Another study found a decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s in adults over age 60 who lived in biophilic-designed environments.

Sherri’s articles related to this episode

Biophilic Home Design Fuses Nature and Neuroscience

Biophilic Design on a Budget

A new kind of 55+ community is wooing residents with wellness, nature and cultural connections – MarketWatch

New Trends in Retirement Living – PBS Next Avenue

Finding Happiness As a Caregiver – Forbes

Happiness article (Spanish translation for Univision) – Univision.com

9 Ways Caregivers Can Get a Free Respite Break – PBS Next Avenue

How family caregivers can use a Monday routine to reset self-care – Considerable

How a New Mental Health Issue – Solastalgia – Could be Affecting Your Older Loved One