Whether you’re travelling by car, train, plane or coach, whether for work or leisure, a little creativity and preparation can go a long way to transform what could be seemingly endless boredom into endless fun. Here are some great ways to make a long journey more entertaining and enjoyable.

Make a travel playlist

Music is many people’s go-to when it comes to filling time on a journey of any length. Why not add new artists and songs to a special travel playlist? This could be a great opportunity to discover new favourite genres and artists. A great way to make a long journey more entertaining.

Alternatively, you can stick to the music you already know and love. Getting lost in your favourite beats, melodies and lyrics is never a bad way to spend a few hours.

Read a new book or listen to an audiobook

If you’ve been putting off getting back to that book you started reading or picking up a new one, a long journey is the perfect time to commit. Diving into a good story or an inspiring autobiography can help you lose track of time and seemingly reach your destination a little sooner.

For those who get travel sick while reading, listening to audiobooks is a great alternative to consider. You can sit back, eyes open or closed, and follow the story along without having to focus on the words in front of you.

Play games

Playing games alone or with your fellow travellers is an engaging way to pass the time on a long journey. Depending on your mode of transportation, you could get out a pack of cards or set up a board game, or play multiplayer games on your phones or tablets.

From the thrill of mobile slots to the competitive worlds of Fortnite and Warzone. There are so many options when it comes to playing games during travels. It doesn’t matter if you’re travelling alone or with others, gaming is always there to provide relief from travel boredom.

Watch films or videos

There’s always the option to sit back and relax with your choice of films, TV shows or videos. Many people indulge in movie marathons, particularly on planes. You could enjoy a series of films, binge-watch a TV show you’ve been dying to watch or deep-dive into your favourite YouTube channels. This is a great option on your phone, tablet or laptop. Bring a good pair of headphones for the full effect!

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Consider running a game of bingo to boost the party mood! Make sure it goes without a hitch by following this guide to hosting a bingo event which includes caller tips and decoration and gift ideas.

1. Create a fun atmosphere

No event is complete without over-the-top decorations! Go all out to create a lively and fun atmosphere for your bingo event.

You could have a theme for your evening and use decorations to bring this to life. Why not try to recreate the glitzy luxury of the casino with a red tablecloth, black and gold banners, and giant fluffy dice? Alternatively, go for something silly to encourage your guests to let their hair down!

Background music and finger food are essential as well to complete the party mood.

2. Get the bingo essentials

Don’t forget to get the bingo essentials for your game. You could mimic the traditional bingo hall and hand out paper grids and daubers, or play a group game online via a bingo app from a reputable provider.

3. Hone your hosting skills

As the party planner, you’ll need to run the game and ensure that play stays fair. In advance of the event, take time to hone your hosting skills so that you’re comfortably in command on the day.

First and foremost, make sure that you understand the rules! You’ll need to explain to everyone how to play and make sure that no one is cheating so that the game runs smoothly. The standard 90-ball bingo has two major winners – the first to a row, and the first to a full house.

You could also look up tips on how to be a good bingo caller. Why not attempt the East End London Cockney rhyming slang that has become synonymous with the game?

4. Mix up the games

Especially if you have time for a few rounds, mix up the games to keep up enthusiasm and competitive spirit.
75-ball bingo is a version of the game that’s popular in the USA, where players can complete rows horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. There’s also a super quick 30-ball version.

For something more inventive, consider changing the completion pattern or switching out the numbers for words, songs, or celebrity names.

5. Prepare your prizes

Lastly, don’t forget to prepare your prizes! You can go for gifts commonly awarded at game nights or be more creative and tailor your offering to your friendship group.

Safe bets include scented candles, bath bombs and essential oil diffusers, boxes of chocolates, and film tickets or gift cards. At the other end of the spectrum, you can have a lot of fun with joke presents like comedy keychains and fancy dress items.

As well as rewards for the winners, you could introduce forfeits for the losers! This might include a performance of their favourite karaoke song, or asking them to be a waiter for the night.

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The sooner you spruce up your kitchen, the sooner you can enjoy cooking in it again. The sooner you address your lounge, the sooner you can host with pride. But an often-overlooked part of the house is technically not part of it at all: the outside. Addressing your garden can feel a step too far, and especially so in the wintertime. However, the sooner you design your ideal outdoors, the sooner you can avail of the spring and summer weather alone or with friends. How should you approach this project, though? Here’s how to design the outdoors of your property.

Add a Patio

One of the better ways you can engage with your outdoor space is to make it more useful as well as more aesthetically pleasing – that is, to install a patio. Patio spaces are at once great vessels for design and aesthetic expression, and useful areas for social engagement and quiet reflection.

The patio can itself reflect your own aesthetic leanings, too, dependent on how you choose to construct it. A paving-stone patio can effect a modern but natural feel while keeping your patio relatively easy to clean, where old-school flagstones can make for a much more rustic feel.

Diversify Materials

Speaking of materials, diversifying the materials you use across your garden can have a powerful impact on its overall design. For example, you could contrast the sleek and isometric design of a paving-stone patio with more rustic wooden-sleeper flowerbeds along and down your garden.

Pathways could use cobblestone, to match the colours of existing patios or side-paths, and metal planters could set off against them for added texture. Even gravel or pea-shingle can be used to great effect, where gravel areas can be contrasted with metal arches, themselves home to climbing or hanging plants.

Read more: cosy winter interior design ideas

Decking

Of course, a patio is not the only option available to you when it comes to creating social spaces outdoors. Indeed, patio spaces can be difficult to arrange when space is at a premium, let alone the state of your landscaping budget. In these situations, decking may be an accessible and sustainable alternative.

Decking can be made multi-level, allowing you to step your garden up to meet a raised back door. Or, even create a raised social space above your garden, functionally increasing the amount of room available to you and your guests. Decking can be just as easy to maintain as a patio, and can be used for just as many things.

Planters

We’ve already touched on planters, with regard to materials and the creation of textural contrast in your garden’s design. But some more nuanced thinking about the type and placement of your flowerbeds and planters can bring your garden to life for relatively little cost. Wildflower beds marked out with stone can create a wonderland feel at the foot of your garden. While built-up sleeper beds can hold crops and make them much easier to harvest.

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Dr Max Gowland

Since 1900, the average life expectancy has risen from 47 to 79, with women living around two to three years longer than men. Improved hygiene combined with better nutrition are two significant contributing factors of longer life, alongside advances in medicine. Now that we’re living longer, we’re noticing some health changes as we age.

As we reach our fifties, we tend to notice a decline across a range of health areas. The four main areas we should turn our attention to include:

• Cardiovascular system
• Cognitive function
• Gut and immune health
• Body composition

Cardiovascular health

Our heart beats 100,000 times every day, pumping five litres of blood through 60,000 miles of capillaries. It’s an extraordinary organ, but one that is prone to disease as we age.

What happens?

Coronary Heart Disease is the most common problem we deal with, affecting around 7.6 million people in the UK alone. It occurs when the large coronary arteries of the heart become narrowed due to a build-up of atheroma, a complex fatty deposit that increases over time.

What causes it?

It is far more complex than just ‘eating too much cholesterol’. Around 80% of cholesterol found in a typical lipid panel blood test is a result of one’s tendency to produce it ‘endogenously’. In other words, the cholesterol is produced within the body rather than as a result of eating fatty foods.

Pain from this fatty plaque blockade can manifest itself as angina – chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles. If a full arterial blockage occurs, this can become a myocardial infarction, which is a type of heart attack.

Unfortunately, the biggest risk [to our hearts] is age itself.

Other risk factors of poor cardiovascular health include smoking, a poor diet, stress, obesity, and lack of activity. Unfortunately, the biggest risk is age itself.

How can we manage this?

Exercise is the magic silver bullet. Combined with healthy eating, this will ensure your heart will stay as healthy as it can be for as long as possible.

On the supplement front, Omega 3 fatty acids (which are found in fish oil and krill oil) contain the most important active ingredients: DHA and EPA. Both of these are essential for not only heart health, but vision and brain health, too.

These nutrients exist naturally in fish oil, though data from Public Health England (PHE) has shown that the average intake of oily fish is only a third of the daily recommendation.

Other supplements that can aide in good heart health include Thiamin (Vitamin B1) which has been proven to promote the normal functioning of the heart, and Vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 is known for its contribution towards bone strength, which is does by depositing calcium into the bone by ‘stealing’ that calcium from the inside of our arteries, which lessens the risk of heart disease caused by fatty plaques.

Cognitive function

The brain makes up 2% of our overall body weight, yet it requires 20% of the energy available to the whole body. It’s a nutrition-greedy organ composed primarily of fat.

What happens?

After the age of forty, our brains decline by around 5% every year. A lot of this damage is what scientists call ‘oxidative stress’. This is where reactive biochemicals from the energy-making processes in our bodies create damaging ‘free radicals’, which attack our cells.

According to the Prime Fifty White Paper Market Research (2014), most people interviewed said they were worried about their brain health and cognitive abilities as they aged. They were keen to avoid dementia, particularly the devastating Alzheimer’s disease which, as we know, robs us of the ability to think logically.

What causes it?

Alzheimer’s is caused by the presence of protein deposits that have become insoluble and disrupt the brain’s ability to function properly. Lack of quality sleep has also been shown to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease, so sleep is a massive priority as we age.

How can we manage this?

Exercise and good nutrition is the best way to stave off dementia, as well as quality sleep and a no smoking mindset. Staying mentally active and maintaining social interactions has also been shown to help with extending cognitive ability into older age.

Again, Omega 3 fish oil is a well-proven brain health supplement, but there are many other nutrients that support the same benefits. These include: iron, zinc, iodine, calcium, magnesium pantothenic acid, and co-enzyme Q10. It would be beneficial to find a UK-manufactured product which has been specifically formulated for brain health, to avoid buying all of these nutrients individually.

Gut health and immunity

Scientists are now In agreement that our gut plays a significant role in our overall health and wellbeing. One of the better-known gut health connections is the gut-brain axis of influence. The latest science is showing that our gut health influences many more aspects of our health, including our weight and body composition, our cardiovascular health, and more.

There are around 10 trillion human cells in our body, yet our gut and colon contain near 100 trillion bacteria cells, making us technically more bacteria than human! It’s easy to see how this huge amount of biochemical ‘soup’ has such an influence on our overall health.

What happens?

One of the issues with ageing is that we tend to exhibit what is called dysbiosis, which is where the balance between ‘good’ or healthy bacteria and ‘bad’ or pathogenic bacteria becomes out of balance. This makes the gut more prone to various issues such as IBS, constipation, and bloating. In turn, this can reduce the protection offered by our immune system. This is known as immune-senescence, which is when the immune system becomes less affective and is less able to protect us against infections.

What causes it?

Keeping our gut healthy is essential. With time, our gut tends to undergo structural changes which can give rise to constipation. Other factors that can influence our gut health and immunity include lack of exercise, not drinking enough, medications, poor diet, poor sleep health, stress, and perhaps most importantly, not eating enough fibre, which is so important for regularity.

PHE data shows clearly that the vast majority of older adults are not getting the recommended daily intake of many essential nutrients, which in turn will lead to a weakened immune system.

How can we manage this?

There are some gut and immunity supplements that have been formulated specifically for older adults. Typically, these products will contain all the important immunity vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins C, D, B6, B12, folate, copper, and selenium. Consuming these nutrients is key to keeping our immune systems healthy.

These supplements should also consist of a multi-strain probiotic blend of various live bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, usually in a protective hard-shelled capsule to ensure their safe and protected transit to the gut. There are some single strain products, but it has been shown that multi-strain products are by far the better supplement, as they are more effective in bringing bacterial diversity to the gut.

Immune attack explained

Weight and body composition

Most people will recognise that as we age, we tend to put on additional weight, which tends to be fat instead of muscle.

What causes it?

We tend to be less active as we grow up, thus burning less calories. We also have a slower metabolism, which means the calorie burning is much slower. Most of this is due to the aforementioned loss of muscle mass, as the muscle tissue is the key factor in burning calories. In short, the less muscle we have, the fewer calories we’re burning.

Another cause for weight gain is due to hormonal changes. For women, the menopause brings around the decline in oestrogen, progesterone, and sex hormones. For men, it’s all about their testosterone levels. Lower testosterone and growth hormones in men causes muscle loss, and encourages fat to be deposited more easily.

How can we manage it?

We have to exercise daily and ensure we eat healthily, while avoiding high calorie meals that are notoriously full of fat and sugar, and typically low on healthy micronutrients. It’s also fair to say that there is no quick fix. Ultra-low-calorie dieting is not advisable, despite its short-term effectiveness. Admittedly, weight loss is usually rapid during this fasting process, but in most cases the ‘diet rebound’ can cause even more weight gain as the body’s metabolism adjusts to the previous starvation diet.

There are also no magic supplements that can help. Don’t believe all you read in the press or on the internet. There are also large numbers of products advertising themselves as effective ‘fat burners’, but the science clearly tells us that these simply do not exist.

Things to take away

Whether it’s your cardiovascular health, your immunity, your gut health or your overall brain health, there is no mistaking that there are four basic pillars of health and longevity, that if managed well, will yield a long and healthy life.

1. Managing your nutrition

Manage your nutrition with a healthy, well-balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veg, protein and fibre too. Avoiding high sugar products and high sugar sodas is essential.

Supplements are also a useful addition to a normal diet to ensure that all the necessary vitamins and mineral requirements are met on a daily basis.

2. Incorporating regular exercise

Exercise is key. There are now so many high-calibre scientific articles on this subject, demonstrating the significant effect that regular exercise can have on all facets of your health, including your mental health too.

3. Establishing a sleep routine

We know from many sleep studies that lack of sleep is clearly linked to a raft of disease states, including cardiovascular disease and surprisingly cancers too. It’s also imperative for a healthy mind. Getting that eight hours every night is key.

4. Handling stress

We all have stress of various types in our lives and each time we feel stressed, a cascade of unhealthy biochemical effects occurs which can do long term harm to our health in general. Stress is known to exert negative effects on our cardiovascular health and of course our psychological wellbeing too.

Some manage stress better than others and if possible, you should find ways of dealing with stress as a failure to do so can produce negative consequences on our overall health and general wellbeing.

Carly Pepperell

Carly gets to do everything under the sun, including writing, editing, taking photos, creating stories, and swanning around at launches. She can down a glass of Prosecco without pausing for breath, and aims to be the youngest Pulitzer winner ever.

The post Four health changes we experience as we reach 50 appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Style icons such as David Niven and Ronald Coleman, usually swaddled in dashing winter wear for photographs, provide little guidance for sartorial holiday wear for chaps.

What we do know is that the winter layering process must be stripped down in balmier climes. Wearing fewer layers requires more thought, as each of those fewer layers must be the sine qua non of their function.

How to pare to the bone

You may only have space for one jacket in your luggage, so make sure it will cover all eventualities – including feeling rather warm under the collar. The temptation may be to ‘go native’ and loaf about in khaki shorts, flip-flops, and a T-shirt. This, for a chap, would be a dereliction of duty, a sop to the multitude.

If the clobber outlined below sounds like it will need several trunks to be transported, the answer is to wear the main components on the journey and fill your hand luggage with the rest of the lighter items. It is perfectly plausible to visit a hot country, including the UK with its legendary three-day heatwaves, in an ensemble that not only prevents one from slowly melting in the midday sun, but which displays gentlemanly sartorial credentials.

You never know; a chance encounter with a stray countess at the beach bar may lead to an invitation to a cocktail party, and that’s where your flip-flops would severely let you down.

More – see Autumn wear from Gustav

Footwear

A word of warning to the travelling chap, whether to foreign climes or the English Riviera: you are very likely to encounter the shoeless. While exterior temperatures will, it must be admitted, preclude the full brogue boot on the beach, there is no need to allow standards to drop as low as the flip-flop.

Even the popular Birkenstock sandal flies dangerously close to being infra dig. Why would a grown man wish to be shod like a five-year-old boy? It is worth adding that there is no known trouser that looks good with such a scandalous sandal.

“…there is no need to allow standards to drop as low as the flip-flop.”

Grenson has produced the Quincy Sandal, priced at £180, based on those available in most traditional shoe shops in southern Europe, which at least covers the toes and the heel. A more economical pair, the Angulus, is available at £116.

For a shoe that one could actually enter a restaurant wearing, saddle shoes are another light option. Rocket Originals and Collectif make them for men, priced at £99 and £95 respectively. Loafers also cut the mustard. Jones the Bootmaker makes an acceptable penny loafer for £89, and don’t forget to stick a penny into the upper for that preppy detail. But don’t go too preppy and wear them without socks. Only an aged Italian rogue can get away with this look.

Grenson Quincy Sandal, £180

Trousers

Lightness of cloth is paramount when strolling about during the passeggiata hour; but so too is lightness of colour, especially if wearing a dark blazer.

Although sartorial rules dictate that one’s trousers should always be darker than one’s jacket, the Riviera look is the exception, and obeys the light chino/dark blazer diktat. For the vintage look, Darcy Clothing offer a lightweight cotton moleskin cricket trouser at £86, while those unafraid to clothe their pins in a more contemporary silhouette can head straight over to Spoke London for a pair of their cotton lightweights at £99. Walker Slater’s linen pantaloons are also worth a try, especially their Edward Trousers at £145, for which the matching jacket may also be acquired.

Spoke London trousers, £99

Shirt

If (or rather, because) you are wearing a jacket or blazer, this is very likely to be removed when the sun is high in the sky, so opt for something that tells its own story, such as this navy striped linen shirt from Sirplus, priced at £95. This company also makes short-sleeved shirts, which may be necessary in the tropics, such as a yellow Tencel Cuban shirt in cotton, £95. Under no circumstances is it acceptable to wear a Hawaiian shirt; unless you have been invited to a fancy-dress party while on your hols.

Sirplus linen shirt, £95

Jacket

This will be your most essential item, as you will need it for the journey abroad, so as many pockets as possible is a prerequisite for all the millions of forms, vaccine certificates et cetera you will need to present at the airport.

For a lightweight cotton twill jacket, Universal Works presents the most favourable option, the London jacket, £175, which boasts a total of five pockets, including one for a pocket square. It comes in colours ranging from cream to dark navy.

Walker Slater’s collaboration with The Chap resulted in the Chap Linen Suit (jacket £245, as worn by yours truly, pictured). A cream linen three-piece suit is the ideal garment in which to saunter about the summer streets of any resort in the world. The cut of the jacket gives a relaxed fit with soft shoulders, a single vent, two flap pockets and a breast pocket and three-button fastening. The lightweight satin viscose part-lining ensures further relaxation potential when temperatures begin to soar.

The Chap linen suit, jacket £245

Neckwear

It is around the throat that a chap may display his dandy credentials most effectively, and the least sweltering neck adornment is of course the cravat.

The more sartorially adventurous may wish to brave the foulard, or neckerchief, for a slightly more playboy look. Geoff Stocker has turned his pocket square skills to what he has named a bandana, in 30% silk and 70% cotton, measuring 24 inches on each side. It is designed to be thrown around the throat carelessly, so that it flaps in the breeze and pretty ladies can spot one from a distance. It is appropriately called ‘The Waking Dream’ and costs £85. The Chap cravat, £35, based on the peacock pocket square, will liven up any plain shirt with its splashes of purple, aquamarine and burgundy.

Geoff Stocker cravat, £85

Headwear

A Panama is clearly the only acceptable option for sultry climes, and Pachacuti make the highest grade, peddled from a website site called www.panamas.co.uk. Prices for their ethically produced Ecuadorean Panamas range from £85 to £320, but their prices reflect a product built to survive the fierce summers and tropical downpours of equatorial regions.

“…the main purpose of wearing a Panama is to advertise that a British gentleman is in town, but if you wish to rule out every last shred of uncertainty, then wear a straw boater.”

Olney’s Panamas are more affordable, starting at £60 for a white one with a traditional black band – a tradition that began with the death of Queen Victoria and never stopped. Of course, the main purpose of wearing a Panama is to advertise to the other tourists that a British gentleman is in town, but if you wish to rule out every last shred of uncertainty, then wear a straw boater.

Sunglasses

Probably the most important accessory to pack is one’s lunettes de soleil, for without these you will be so blinded by the sunlight that admiring glances from the local populace will go unnoticed.

Why are decent sunglasses, or spectacles for that matter, so darned expensive? Nobody knows, but the answer is not to grab a cheap pair at the airport. Kirk Originals‘ Warwick in amber tortoiseshell with dark green lenses will set you back £225, but you will never grow out of them.

The more economical option comes from Dead Men’s Spex, whose range is so vast – and helpfully categorised by decade – that you are likely to find something similar to those you covet elsewhere, at a much more affordable price. Their Classic American Atomic Age frames in black acetate frame with metal brow detailing are £60, plus £45 for non-prescription polarised lenses.

Kirk Originals Warwick sunglasses, £22

Socks

You could try strutting about in a pair of loafers or deck shoes without socks, but this will not mark you out as a man of style, and certainly not as a British gentleman. The lightest socks on the market that eschew any absurd patterns or motifs are from Dueple (dueplesocks.com), who also make rather fetching ribbed socks for winter. Their Fine Guage 220 Needle Socks, £9.90, come in a huge range of plain bold colours, as well as white or black.

Gustav Temple has been editor of The Chap Magazine – Britain’s longest-serving gentleman’s quarterly – for 20 years.

Gustav Temple

The post Sartorial holiday wear for chaps appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Confessions of a mid-life gamer

I am often guilty of sharing Too Much Information (TMI). I deal in the currency of brutal honesty and will happily over-share details of dating fails, spout well rounded paranoia over the future of AI, and will give chapter and verse on the over-reliance of music sampling by lesser talented artists.

I rarely reveal my most enduring addiction – that I am a middle-aged gamer

However, I rarely reveal my most enduring addiction – that I am a middle-aged gamer. I simply never speak of it in case I incur the type of eye-rolling one might expect when surveying an enthusiastic but hopeless skate-boarding dad in low slung jeans.

Since childhood I have always had a game as a backdrop to my life, much like music.  I learned basic programming on my first crush, a ZX Spectrum. On the Commodore 64 I felt love for my adorable Little Computer Person, a forerunner to the Tamagotchi. That game taught me how to look after something; my little person needed feeding, bathing and entertaining (it died in bed, hungry and bored).

From those early games I never looked back. I bonded with a boyfriend over James Bond Golden Eye, played Pinball Dreams for nine hours straight after a heavy night and shimmied away the baby weight with Zumba Fitness on the Wii.

The continued rise in love for gaming

Now in my 50s I remain an active gamer but I’m still too embarrassed to mention it even to my closest friends. Recently when there was a clash between a lunch date and the final battle for my Empires and Puzzle clan, I did the only thing a committed gamer could do… I made the ‘important phone call’ excuse and quietly sloped off to the ladies to unleash hell.

I did the only thing a committed gamer could do… I made the ‘important phone call’ excuse and quietly sloped off to the ladies to unleash hell

Traditionally it has been assumed that only children and teenagers played games on computers, consoles and the like but with the convenience and availability of mobile games the gamer demographics has shifted massively; the gamer is getting older and spending more.

Even through a raging pandemic which destroyed businesses across many industries, the reverse was true for the gaming industry. One of the avenues people chose to cope with all the doom and gloom and was though mobile gaming.  According to stats in 2020 there were 2.69 billion mobile gamers globally with games accounting for 43% of all smartphone use. 50% of mobile gamers are 34 or older and 36% of surveyed 65 to 74-year-olds play once to several times a day.

So, if that’s the case, why isn’t gaming a ‘thing’ that we actively share about ourselves?

My generation was the first with a computer in the home, so it stands to reason that we now turn to a gaming device to relieve stress, pass the time, or immerse ourselves in another world. But we are so very reluctant to reveal how deep-seated our gaming is and how much it plays an enjoyable part of our lives. As 85% of mobiles gamers don’t identify as gamers why the secrecy and, dare I say, shame?

The first rule of Mid-life Gaming has always been – yes you guessed it – no talking about MLG. But there has been a recent exception, which was Pokémon. Downloaded excitedly under the pretence it was for my sons, it quickly took over.

The three of us walked whine-free for hours in order to catch a recently spawned Legendary, racking up precious kilometres in to hatch an egg and exchanging light-hearted Pokémon banter with other parents and strangers alike. It was over this year of peak Pokémon that I discovered how many people were secret gamers, leaning in conspiratorially and, in hushed tones, confess they played too.

Mental health benefits of gaming

These days I no longer choose the frenetic arcade styles games, and I can’t afford to idle away a big chunk of weekend in the hope of slaying the multi-headed hydra on level 30.  I prefer a more sedate game play, a quick dip into a word puzzle or two, Mahong when I want to unwind.

As my gaming habits and brain mature, could gaming be helping my cognitive health?

And, as my gaming habits and brain mature, could gaming be helping my cognitive health? In moderation, gaming is reported have a whole lot of benefits from reducing depression to beating stress, and whilst wider research is needed, some apps and games studied in clinical trials appear to improve the brain’s processing speed, attention, and memory.

So, if you can’t confess to Candy Crush and The Sims is still a secret, maybe the brain boosting benefits would be something the shy gamers could finally shout about?

Amanda’s recommendations for aspiring older gamers

Quirky Whodunnit: Among Us

Among Us characters

One of the most popular multiplayer cloak and dagger games. You are one of eight crew members on a spacecraft but amongst you are two murderous imposters.

Its comedic art style offsets the surprisingly tense gameplay, use logic and detective work before the baddies come for you.

Calm and Creative: Redecor

Like a sophisticated colouring book for adults, Redecor gives you a blank canvas room and a simple brief, then it’s up to you.

Add colour, artwork, furniture and flooring with your final creation garnering a score from the Redecor community. A gentle dip-in game to immerse yourself in.

No limits: Pocket Build

Pocket Build has acquired a huge fan base; an open world game where you can build whatever you like without limitations or restrictions.

A simple farm, elaborate castle, or an epic fantasy city? Engaging, simple graphics and intuitive gameplay is a big plus.

Looking for some more entertainment? Have you taken our quiz yet?

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If you’d like to receive a regular mini-magazine direct to your inbox with a selection of editorial features to read at your leisure, please sign up for our newsletter. We also run the odd competition and offer and whatnot, and newsletter members get the heads-up first.

The post Are there older gamers out there? And is gaming good for your brain? appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Yes, that early summer fashion dilemma – warm in the daytime, but chilly at night. And yes, there’s still rain. What to do? Let’s look at your wardrobe…

We’re all about minimalism and colour blocking this early summer fashion season, and keeping warm and dry! Gotta love the British weather. So whether you’re looking for summery warm bits for festivals and outdoor events, or you just want to sit outside for longer, read on…

Barbour Portree Umbrella, £32.95

M&CO, Lurex Straw Hat, £18.99

M&CO, Cat Eye Sunglasses, £12.99

Oliver Bonas, Pink and Camel Colour Block Scarf, £38

Joe Browns, Ravishing Ruched Sweater, £45

White Stuff, Knitted Stripe Wrap, £59

White Stuff, Abstract Wool Mix Funnel Neck Jumper Plum, £59

TK Maxx, Zebra Umbrella, £6.99

Soho House, Eloise Linen Short Pyjamas Oatmeal, £140

Regatta, Women’s Fairweather II Wellies Multi Stripe, £34.95

Oliver Bonas, Turquoise Tie Dye Fabric Shopper, £14.50

Oliver Bonas, Pretty Orange Check Scarf, £35

Looking for hot summer 70s looks?

Lili Lowe

Lili works across all the channels; writing articles, taking photographs, creating content, and designing eye-capturing imagery. She’s an animal-lover who cries just seeing a picture of a baby sloth.

The post Early summer fashion edit – it’s not that hot yet! appeared first on Silver Magazine.

We went along to see it at Brighton’s Theatre Royal, and our hands were red from the applause by the end. The play, the cast, and the fantastic breaking down of age barriers made for a riveting evening. Here’s our Private Lives review…

Breaking expectations

Patricia Hodge as Amanda and Nigel Havers as Elyot

If you’re looking for someone well-versed in Noel Coward’s fanatical plot to critique an adaptation, you’re in quite the wrong place. I honestly had no idea what to expect, though I didn’t imagine I’d laugh quite as much as I did. I was so pleasantly surprised with how well everything and everyone worked together.

We all love a middle-class comedy drama – Absolutely Fabulous is a household gem – but I did have a moment of ‘will this been an archaic, droll take on an overdone storyline?’ The answer, it turns out, is no. Thankfully, my suspicions were incorrect. From the physical design of the set to the absolutely incredible vocal notes from Patricia Hodge, the two hours spent watching this adaptation could not have been better spent.

Patricia Hodge as Amanda and Nigel Havers as Elyot

Despite being written almost a century ago, I found the sentiments of the storyline quite relatable to the modern era; it was ahead of its time. This adaptation cancelled out any of the potential risks of mediocrity or monotony that sometimes come with aged works of art. It was quite conceivable that this story could have been written recently.

The plotline was sometimes predictable, and it wasn’t completely unique, but it was a solid story that stuck to what it knew, and gave us more than we expected. There’s nothing quite as bad as going to see a film or TV show that has tried to out-perform every other member of its genre, and in doing so has lost all sense of what it set out to do.

Age is but a number

Dugald Bruce-Lockhart as Victor and Natalie Walter as Sibyl

The playing around of stereotypes made the storyline enjoyable, and the actors were so well cast. They played up to their character’s comedic tropes – the misogynist, the insecure new woman – in a way that allowed us to laugh at the people these tropes represent, rather than the perceived victims of the jokes.

In fact, the female characters were much more likeable than they are usually represented in these sorts of stories – generally shrill and scornful, unable to have a good time – and the strength in the portrayal of these characters made for enjoyable watching as the drama unfolded. It was hard to decide on a ‘villain’ and hate any of them; though Havers’ character was the playboy pig, the charm that Havers brought to the role made for unwitting likeability.

The cast played their parts so well, it seems foolish to imagine anyone else in these roles. Some talk online suggested that perhaps the cast could have been younger, but I heartily disagree. The cast members’ ages added a certain wisdom and authenticity to the roles that I just don’t think would have been present otherwise.

Patricia Hodge as Amanda and Nigel Havers as Elyot

The credibility these actors brought to the play made it relatable and original, which only adds to the humour of realising your ex-spouse is honeymooning with their new spouse in the hotel room next to yours.

While the first act laid the groundwork, the second act brought the drama. The bickering was so highly amusing, and the reactions that certain scenes got from the audience made it almost seem scripted. The unanimous gasp at the blatant sexism, the squeal of delight at a slap, the rambunctious chuckling… To be united as one laughing at a fantastically created production was the chicken soup for the soul we needed after the past two years.

Check the tour dates and locations here.

Carly Pepperell

Carly gets to do everything under the sun, including writing, editing, taking photos, creating stories, and swanning around at launches. She can down a glass of Prosecco without pausing for breath, and aims to be the youngest Pulitzer winner ever.

The post Noel Coward’s Private Lives: a review appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Nootropics are – according to Wikipedia – “drugs, supplements and other substances that are claimed to improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, memory, creativity or motivation in healthy individuals.” The word ‘claimed’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence. So do nootropics actually work?

…the target market is old timers who are hoping to regain a fraction of the wakefulness and mental grip we took for granted not so long ago.

Lately, a number of beautifully packaged and branded sub-pharmacological propositions are being marketed at silver panthers, or whatever the marketing goons are calling the 50+ demographic this week. Basically, the target market is old timers who are hoping to regain a fraction of the wakefulness and mental grip we took for granted not so long ago.

I wanted to find out if these non-prescription novelties worked. I am 56, and general wear and tear is setting in.

Memory is a thing I remember fondly

This getting-old lark doesn’t sound so bad if you can laugh at yourself, I had thought, expecting it to start happening when I was 70. But no, it kicked in at 54. Suddenly, I was unable to ascend the stairs without blood draining from the brain to such a degree that I forgot the word ‘scissors’ long enough to remember that that’s why I went upstairs in the first place.

Two flights of stairs to the attic room and I was wiped clean. I could barely remember what year it was let alone the purpose of the mission. I had to stick a list of things I might go upstairs for to the landing wall. But I couldn’t read it because I lost my glasses. So I’d look for clues and spot a cup of tea I made half an hour earlier from a previous futile expedition upstairs.

This getting-old lark doesn’t sound so bad if you can laugh at yourself, I had thought, expecting it to start happening when I was 70. But no, it kicked in at 54.

The tea would be cold, most likely with an insect floating on the surface, but still look drinkable. So I’d take the tea downstairs, scoop out the fatality, and pop it in the microwave so my spirits would be revived and I could start again. Because – obviously – I’d rather take a layer of skin off my lower lip than admit defeat and waste 4p on a new teabag.

Halfway down the stairs, I’d congratulate myself for my economic insight. Perhaps I could share the tip with Martin Lewis at MoneySavingExpert.com. ‘Save money on hot drinks by sweeping the house for half-finished mugs of forgotten tea whenever you go upstairs’.

A never-ending cycle

Lost in this reverie, I failed to notice the cat asleep on the ninth step. Five years ago, my wife bought the cat in a conspiracy with the kids. I assume they chose it deliberately to blend in with the stair carpet. If not, it really is the most extraordinary coincidence. I wouldn’t be surprised if she took a swatch to the breeders to get a good match.

“That’s the colour and the pile I want! If he is going to trip and fall to his death, it needs to look plausible,” she would have said, while cheerfully packing the feline into the car.

I have not yet fallen to my death, but I have had a few close calls. It is at best very unsettling when a step gets up and bolts from beneath your feet, leaving you grasping the banister, heart thumping, system surging with cortisol and adrenaline. This is when I need a biscuit with my tea. I look for the biscuits in the kitchen – and there they are in a sealed packet. That’s why I was looking for the scissors! That cycle can go on for hours. Up and down the stairs, in and out of rooms, back to the kitchen, open the microwave, find another forgotten cup of tea…

Searching for a remedy

It is enough to drive you insane – and into the arms of snake oil salesmen, offering you a return to your scissor-sharp mind. So courtesy of Silver Magazine, I received taster packs of such products. Dr. Vegan offers Vegan Minds pills for memory and focus and Stay Calm pills to manage stress and anxiety. These were to be taken with food, which in my case often means burgers, bacon, or fish, but Dr. Vegan did not specifically counsel against meat-eating, except as a general moral principle.

Noggin meanwhile offers uppers and downers called Oomph and Pause (rather than Oomph and ‘00 mph’, which would have pleased me, but probably lost sales). These had a slightly more impressive list of ingredients than the vegan option – lion’s mane mushroom, rhodiola rosea extract and magnesium, alongside the usual alphabetical suspects. Vegan Minds contains no Magnesium (OMG!) but did have something called ‘BacoMind’ which I hoped might be a concession to carnivores.

So, did they work?

Hard to say. Perhaps I should have set myself specific tasks to determine the enhancement of my cognitive capacities but my daily pandemic schedule – walking the dog, tinkering with copy and providing subordinate services to my wife who is the main breadwinner and Head of Household – is perhaps not the best test of a world class intellect.

But I didn’t feel myself undergoing the kind of transformation one sees depicted in movies by flickering digital code and bullets floating harmlessly past your head. To be fair, neither of them did any harm either. And seeing one’s urine turn the colour of lemon curd, as one’s kidneys frantically try to eject the excess minerals does at least remind you of your good intentions.

I was a poor judge of the third product. Centra Peak, another vitamin-and-mineral concoction, arrived in stylish, masculine navy and bronze packaging. It too has a strong ingredient game, with several unique elements with harvested-from-the-secrets-of-the-rainforest-sounding names. Mucuna pruriens alone is worth the price of admission.

But I cannot pronounce a verdict on Centra Peak because its USP is that it is a male vitality booster that will “enhance your testosterone production”. If it can do so, more power to its elbow. But I found that my testosterone was catastrophically low some years ago and have been on a proper testosterone replacement therapy programme ever since. My testosterone levels were those traditionally associated with an 80-year-old man.

Better the devil you know

As far as over the counter remedies go, however, do any of them give you the kick that a double shot of artisan Arabica – or even a heavy spoonful of instant – can? No, I am afraid not.

When it comes to delivering a cognitive boost, three simple, legal things have worked for me. One is caffeine, obviously, and I dose up on that regularly. I’m sorry to say the second one is nicotine. I don’t use it anymore. But nicotine is a proven, effective cognitive enhancer.

But the third and most surprising boost was changing my diet. Wheat-based foods – bread, pasta, biscuits, and pies – and all sugars are gone. I eat toast in the evening much as one might take sleeping pills.

We are all different and trial-and-error is the only way to find out what works for you. But anything that pretends to deliver the punch of a controlled substance, presented in a jar that looks tasteful on your spice rack, is probably worth taking with a significant pinch of flavour-enhancing sea minerals.

You can follow Simon on Twitter at: @TheSimonEvans

Wondering about vitamin supplements? Find out more here. 

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The post Simon Evans: do nootropics work? appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Turmeric has long been revered for its health benefits. The history of this bold orange spice as a therapeutic goes back at least 4,000 years with the origins of Ayurveda in India. It is also a mainstay of traditional Chinese medicine.

Interest in alternative and complementary therapies is on the rise in the UK. So it’s not surprising that more people are investigating the power of turmeric to help prevent or treat a range of ailments.

And the research backs up the medicinal magic. Turmeric’s active ingredient is curcumin, which gives the spice its bright colour and rich flavour. But this versatile member of the ginger family is not just a delicious addition to curries. Studies have shown that curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. So what are the health benefits of turmeric?

Beyond the curry pot: health benefits of turmeric

According to studies from across the world, including from Spain’s Institute of Health Research, the American University of Beirut, and the University of Michigan Medical School, turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties can help a range of conditions, including heart disease, metabolic syndrome, joint pain, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The antioxidant properties of turmeric have been examined closely in a study by India’s Annamalai University’s biochemistry department. Researchers found that curcumin is a potent antioxidant that can neutralise free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms that can damage cells.

The antioxidant effect can help reduce the risk of cancer. And fend off the effects of infections and pollutants that can cause disease and hasten the ageing process. Such as cigarette smoke exposure, alcohol, and poor diet.

As we get older, these health issues tend to become more common. But turmeric or turmeric supplements can help ensure that our quality of life does not have to decline as soon as we celebrate certain birthdays.

Benefits for the mind as well as the body

Along with improving joint health and playing an important role in fighting serious diseases, curcumin has been found to have benefits for the brain.

It is thanks to scientists better understanding of neurons that we have learned that they can form new connections and even multiply long after childhood. A study by Argentina’s Universidad Favaloro focused on the role of a protein in the brain that is responsible for promoting the life of neurons. A depletion in this protein has been linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia. A combined study between Korea’s Kyung Hee University and the University of Pennsylvania found a link between curcumin and an increase in this essential protein.

Susan’s story: An anti-ageing insurance policy

Executive coach Susan Castle is a long-term advocate for the benefits of turmeric. She started taking turmeric supplements for joint pain and hasn’t looked back.

“I wasn’t convinced my turmeric supplement was that effective until I ran out. I woke up the next morning feeling like I’d aged 50 years,” she says, “so I wouldn’t be without it now.”

“…turmeric is genuinely more effective than paracetamol or ibuprofen if I’ve overdone it at the gym”

Susan saw how her mother was affected by arthritis, so she is motivated to maintain her joint health.

“My mum suffered really badly, so it’s something I really need to keep on top of,” she says. “For me, at the moment, it’s just general creakiness first thing in the morning or if I’ve been stuck at my desk for too long.”

“It’s more than just an insurance policy for old age – turmeric is genuinely more effective than paracetamol or ibuprofen if I’ve overdone it at the gym.

“I was really surprised at how quick the effects are,” Susan says. “I went for a run and woke up the next morning feeling terrible. So I went to the local health food shop to buy a turmeric supplement, took it and noticed the benefit almost immediately.”

As well as taking supplements, Susan uses turmeric in her cookery. And in smoothies with black pepper to further boost the absorption of curcumin.

How to use turmeric

Supplements are an easy way to take turmeric and experience the benefits of curcumin as rapidly as Susan has.

Along with supplements, turmeric can be incorporated into a balanced diet. Most of us are familiar with adding turmeric to a curry for colour and taste. But there are other ways to enjoy this magical spice.

Turmeric will liven up soups, stir-fries, egg dishes and dips – and a little will go a long way. Or blend it into smoothies with some black pepper or soy lecithin to add a healthy flavour punch. If presentation is your thing, a dash of turmeric brings a pop of colour to rice, couscous or quinoa, especially in salads.

Georgia Lewis

In a career that has spanned Australia, the Middle East and the UK, Georgia has written about all sorts of things, including sex, cars, food, oil and gas, insurance, fashion, travel, workplace safety, health, religious affairs, glass and glazing… When she’s not writing words for fun and profit, she can usually be found with a glass of something French and red in her hand.

The post Magic turmeric: the science and the actual health benefits appeared first on Silver Magazine.