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"My brother and I are safe and alive": Lil Tay speaks out

<p>Rising to online stardom at the tender age of nine, rapper Lil Tay, the child prodigy, has defied widespread reports of her demise, as confirmed by her recent statement following a <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/death-announced-of-child-star-and-her-brother-at-just-14" target="_blank" rel="noopener">death announcement that appeared on her official Instagram page</a>.</p> <p>Speaking to TMZ, the 14-year-old social media sensation expressed her relief, saying: "I want to make it clear that my brother and I are safe and alive, but I'm completely heartbroken, and struggling to even find the right words to say. </p> <p>"It's been a very traumatising 24 hours. All day yesterday I was bombarded with endless heartbreaking and tearful phone calls from loved ones – all while trying to sort out this mess."</p> <p>Those past 24 hours have certainly been harrowing for Lil Tay, having to deal with a barrage of anguished and tearful phone calls from concerned relatives. </p> <p>Lil Tay has come forward to explain that her Instagram account, which initially held 3.3 million followers and now exceeds 3.5 million, was subjected to a hack before the now-deleted misleading announcement was posted.</p> <p>"My Instagram account was compromised by a 3rd party and used to spread jarring misinformation and rumours regarding me, to the point that even my name was wrong. My legal name is Tay Tian, not 'Claire Hope'." </p> <p>Early on the morning of Thursday August 10, a message surfaced on the official Instagram account, proclaiming the "sudden and tragic" passing of the artist – the first post to surface since 2018.</p> <p>In the heartfelt message, it was conveyed, "Words fail to capture the insurmountable void and inexpressible anguish. This outcome took us by complete surprise, leaving us all in a state of disbelief."</p> <p>"We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribably pain. This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock."</p> <p>It was also claimed in the statement that Jason Tian, Lil Tay's 21-year-old brother, had also died.</p> <p>"Her bother's passing adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief," the statement continued. "During this time of immense sorrow, we kindly ask for privacy as we grieve this overwhelming loss, as the circumstances surrounding [Lil Tay] and her brother's passing are still under investigation."</p> <p>"[Lil Tay] will forever remain in our hearts, her absence leaving an irreplaceable void that will be felt by all who knew and loved her."</p> <p>Following the announcement, Variety initially reported Lil Tay's management as confirming her demise. Nonetheless, Insider revealed that Lil Tay's father, Christopher Hope, refrained from commenting on the Instagram post and declined to address queries regarding her current state.</p> <p>During her brief yet impactful three-month presence in the social media landscape, Lil Tay found herself entangled in various controversies, most notably offering an apology after employing a racial slur in one of her videos.</p> <p>Yet, as swiftly as her rise to virtual stardom unfolded, Lil Tay faded from view. Lil Tay's ultimate Instagram post before the now-deleted death notice emerged on June 19, 2018. This post was a tribute to the late rapper XXXTentacion, who tragically lost his life at 20 years old the preceding day.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

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What are the health benefits of tai chi?

<p><a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-health-benefits-of-tai-chi">Tai chi</a> is growing in popularity.</p> <p>It has been practised for years in China – often by big groups in parks. Tai chi or “taiji” is a form of qi gong, an umbrella term for ancient Chinese traditional practices of <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eternal-Spring-Taijiquan-Cultivation-Happiness/dp/1848190034">self-cultivation and energy preservation</a>. And it is different to the martial art form known as “Tai Chi Chuan” or “Taijiquan”. Tai chi is a “mind-body exercise”. You do slow, gentle, and fluid movements with your body. While doing this you focus on the movements and your breathing and forget about the stresses of life.</p> <p>Anyone can do tai chi. It is suitable and safe for people of all ages and abilities – though may need to be adapted for certain people or if you have a medical condition.</p> <p><strong>Tai Chi research</strong></p> <p>A lot of claims have been made about the benefits of tai chi.</p> <p>Studies have found, for example, that tai chi improves <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004963.pub3/full?highlightAbstract=withdrawn%257Cexercise%257Cexercis%257Cbalance%257Cbalanc">balance</a> and <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD012424.pub2/full?highlightAbstract=fall%257Cwithdrawn">prevents falls</a>, a key issue for older people as falls can result in hip fracture and a fear of going outside independently.</p> <p>Research has also suggested that tai chi may be good for reducing pain, for example in people with <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004849.pub2/full">rheumatoid arthritis</a>. And that it may also help to prevent <a href="https://www.cochrane.org/CD010366/VASC_tai-chi-to-prevent-cardiovascular-disease">cardiovascular disease</a>, be effective in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5758591/">coronary disease rehabilitation</a>, and help ease breathing difficulties in people with a <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD009953.pub2/full">long-term lung problem</a>.</p> <p>In addition, it has been suggested that tai chi can improve mental health by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%252Fs12529-013-9351-9">and enhancing general stress management</a>. Research has also suggested it could help to improve <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229914001010?via%253Dihub">how well you feel physically and mentally</a>.</p> <p>Despite these reported benefits, however, a lot of the above research on tai chi has been of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4962385/">poor quality</a>, with unclear or a high risk of bias in results because of the way the studies were carried out – for example, not making sure people are randomly assigned to a tai chi or control group. This is important, as there needs to be no difference between people in the two groups other than doing tai chi or not. Without such controls, it is hard for researchers to draw accurate conclusions. So while current studies suggest it is possible that tai chi offers health benefits, more evidence is needed to truly say if this is the case.</p> <p><strong>Tai chi and dementia</strong></p> <p>Tai chi has also been touted as a possible method for helping to prevent dementia or for slowing down the progression of the disease. Studies, for example, have shown that it can enhance <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4055508/">cognitive</a> <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jgs.15714">functioning</a>, such as better performance on tests for speed to understand and respond to information, attention, and memory for current tasks.</p> <p>And tai chi is also considered to have the potential to delay the deterioration in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4055508/">cognitive</a> <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jgs.15714">functioning</a> associated with dementia. Indeed, a study from 2015 found that people who did aerobic exercise or a mind-body exercise like tai chi were less likely to have dementia <a href="https://www.jamda.com/article/S1525-8610(15)00491-0/fulltext">six years later</a>.</p> <p>I recently led a team to <a href="http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/tai-chi">study the benefits of tai chi</a> for people with dementia. The people in our study were able to learn tai chi and <a href="http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/32386/">enjoyed the sessions</a> – research shows that finding a form of physical activity that <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953616301733?via%253Dihub">you enjoy</a> increases the likelihood of you starting and <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338630390_A_Meta-Analysis_of_Self-Determination_Theory-Informed_Intervention_Studies_in_the_Health_Domain_Effects_on_Motivation_Health_Behavior_Physical_and_Psychological_Health">maintaining</a> a <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17437190903229462">physically active lifestyle</a>. We also found that tai chi had strong potential to <a href="http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/tai-chi">reduce falls</a> and sustain a good quality of life in older people with dementia.</p> <p>We avoided the risks of bias in earlier studies by conducting a gold-standard study (a randomised controlled trial). Though it was a small study to determine if it’s worthwhile to invest in a larger more expensive randomised controlled trial. So we hope to conduct another study in the future to confirm our results in a larger study.</p> <p>Though, as yet, the evidence does not strongly support one particular idea for why tai chi may improve brain health and only a few studies have been done with people who have dementia, there are several <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4055508/">theories</a> as to why tai chi may improve brain health. For example, tai chi involves learning and remembering new movements. It requires sustained attention and multitasking. Its relaxing aspect is like mindfulness or “moving meditation”. The aerobic exercise aspect could also enhance the efficiency and flexibility of neural connections in the brain. But it is not yet known if tai chi is better for improving these aspects over other types of exercise and mindful activities.</p> <p>What is clear though, is that tai chi is to be encouraged, as it is safe, easy to learn, enjoyable and has a lot of potential to bring <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4962385/">holistic health benefits</a>. What’s needed now is more high quality research that will allow firm conclusions to be drawn as to how much it improves our overall health.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/130630/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: http://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/samuel-nyman-950689">Samuel Nyman</a>, Interim Deputy Head of Research, Department of Medical Science and Public Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bournemouth-university-1215">Bournemouth University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/tai-chi-health-benefits-what-the-research-says-130630">original article</a>.</em></p>

Body

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How to cross the street in Ho Chi Minh City

<p>Crossing the road in Saigon, on any normal day, is an utterly terrifying act. But with a hangover? It's like playing Russian roulette.</p> <p>After some liberal vodka pouring on the last night of our Pandaw cruise along the Mekong river from Cambodia to Vietnam, I find myself at the infamous roundabout outside Saigon's Ben Thanh Market.</p> <p>Before me, four main arteries are converging into a muddle of trucks, buses, cars, bicycles and motorbikes. This bustling metropolis holds over eight million people and almost as many motorbikes, and it feels as if they've all gathered right here to spend the morning doing laps.</p> <p>For the past five head-throbbing minutes there hasn't been a single break in the stream. I've simply stood here, sweat trickling down my back, sunbeams squirting into my eyes, the drinks stall across the road shimmering like a mirage.</p> <p>This morning's advice from a travel companion, who has visited Saigon a dozen times, echoes in my fuzzy brain. Realising I have no other choice, I step off the curb. Just as I do a pair of locals materialise by my side. Without stopping they march into the traffic with all the confidence of Beyoncé prancing out on stage, giving the bikes a "talk to the hand" gesture.</p> <p>The traffic miraculously parts and flows around them. I scuttle behind, using them as a human shield until I arrive on the other side.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34586/image__498x245.jpg" alt="Image_ (137)"/></p> <p>In celebration of completing this death-defying act, I treat my aching body to a massage. Because my brain has been replaced by needles and it hurts to think, I walk into the first massage joint I see.</p> <p>It has a flashing neon sign, a hand-written price list, and is possibly a brothel. Nonetheless the massage turns out to be good. Although sadly I miss half of it by dozing for what seems like seconds, but is in fact half an hour.</p> <p>I wake to "massage is finish" being whispered into my ear and realise I'm late for lunch. After dressing hurriedly and being bullied into tipping almost more than the price of the massage itself, I lurch around the corner to Pho 2000, made famous by Bill Clinton apparently eating his first pho here.</p> <p>I slide into my seat on an avalanche of sweat and apologies. The fragrant, herby, noodly broth arrives before me and my goodness, it is lifesaving. Forget pizza and burgers: pho, effectively Vietnam's national dish, is where it's at for soothing your alcohol-soaked soul.</p> <p>Brain still switched firmly off, I take a postprandial walk through Saigon's Fine Arts Museum. All airy corridors and verandas, this elegant colonial-era building houses an impressive selection of Asian art. While it would usually be a lovely way to pass an afternoon, it's not ideal when you have five vodka sodas trying to squeeze out of your system.</p> <p>By the time I leave, it's raining hard. I decide getting soaked will be good for my sore head, refusing myriad invitations from cyclo drivers, "Hey miss, where you go?" My hangover has taken my sense of direction hostage and a walk that should take 10 minutes ends up taking 60. Luckily, the best way to see Saigon and its wide tree-lined boulevards and French colonial architecture is by foot.</p> <p>After many wrong turns and five cheek-reddening minutes finding refuge for my soaked body in a high-end department store, I find what I've been looking for. The boutiques of Mac Thi Buoi Street. In Amai, I unearth handmade pottery, delicate baskets and linen scarves. In Lam, '20s-style velvet pants and silk slips. They say never to shop with a hangover. They are right. I buy too many things; I do not think them through. Lord knows how four flimsy tea cups will make it back home unscathed.</p> <p>By now my tummy is grumbling again. My travel buddies and I head to Secret Garden, a restaurant on the sixth floor rooftop of an ex-factory building. We sit among fairy lights and potted plants and plow through a mountain of delicious home-cooked food.</p> <p>Spring rolls, garlic spinach, spicy tofu and the hair of the dog I've been waiting for, a Vietnamese 333 beer. It's enough to get me through the 10-minute walk to the rooftop bar at The Rex hotel, which in the '60s and '70s was an infamous gathering place for war correspondents. I gaze out across the glittering lights of Saigon, G&amp;T in hand, finally feeling human again.</p> <p>Have you ever been to Vietnam?</p> <p><em>Written by Nina Karnikowski. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p>

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Tai Chi perfect mind and body exercise

<p>Have you ever tried meditation? If you haven’t, don’t feel badly – it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But the wellness benefits for one’s mind are such that you should consider giving it another try. If sitting still isn’t working for you, you may want to consider Tai Chi. It has many of the same benefits as meditation, plus a few more.</p> <p>Tai Chi is a non-competitive martial art that focuses on stretching, gentle movements, and mindfulness instead of offensive technique. This ancient Chinese tradition has been around since the 12th century, and has maintained popularity in Australia for many years. So let’s take a look at why you should give it a try.</p> <p><strong>Bigger brain</strong></p> <p>Several studies have shown that the practice of Tai Chi actually makes your brain bigger. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22451320"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">According to results</span></strong></a> from Fudan University in China and the University of South Florida, seniors who practice Tai Chi three times a week for 40 weeks have increased brain volume. As grey matter usually shrinks with age, it’s astounding to know that there’s a way to turn back the clock.</p> <p><strong>Physical health benefits</strong></p> <p>It should come as no surprise that regular practice of Tai Chi’s slow, purposeful movements can help reduce the risk of falls in seniors. As well as better balance, people who practice Tai Chi attribute various physical benefits to the activity, including more energy, better flexibility, improved muscle strength, and greater aerobic capacity.</p> <p>But what you might not know is that studies have indicated that Tai Chi can have marvellous positive effects on people suffering from various illnesses and chronic disease.</p> <ul> <li>Type 2 Diabetes: <a href="http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/43/11/845"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A study</span></strong></a> linked Tai Chi with improved blood glucose levels and immune system response.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Chronic heart failure: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18487899"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Research has shown</span></strong></a> that sufferers of chronic heart failure who regularly practice Tai Chi experience a higher quality of life, have a better mood, and have less trouble sleeping.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Parkinson’s disease: For people with Parkinson’s, practicing <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1107911#t=article%20"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tai Chi can provide significant improvements</span></strong></a> in gait and posture. It can also help reduce the risk of falls.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Stress less</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/karl-romain/tai-chi-health_b_5434837.html"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Regular meditation can help improve neuroplasticity</span></strong></a> – the way in which our brains reorganise pathways in the brain according to our experiences. Neural connections such as these help provide emotional stability, which in turn helps us better deal with stressful situations. </p> <p><strong>Getting started</strong></p> <p>If you’d like to give Tai Chi a go, there are many videos online that will help you on your way. Experts stress that regular practice – not perfection – is the important thing to aim for when beginning Tai Chi. There are also many free or low-cost Tai Chi groups and classes run by community groups and councils around the country.</p> <p>Have you ever tried Tai Chi? Did you notice a difference in your physical or mental wellbeing?</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2017/02/ways-to-detox-your-mind/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 ways to detox your mind</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2017/02/tips-for-solving-crosswords/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>8 tips for solving crosswords</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/10/10-life-lessons-from-confucius/%20"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 life lessons from Confucius</strong></em></span></a></p>

Mind

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Nha Trang might just be one of the best places in Vietnam

<p><strong><em>Cameron Mackenzie is a New Zealander who has lived in Japan and Korea for a number of years but now finds himself ensconced in Vietnam. He is currently working as a Sales Supervisor for CBRE and residing in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).</em></strong></p> <p>There is little wonder why local and foreign tourists flock to Nha Trang as this is a laid back ocean-lovers salubrious paradise! It has a short rainy season (September to about mid-December) however, it hardly rains all day... mostly afternoon showers.</p> <p>From November to the end of January I would advise heading to Muine, Vung Tau or Phu Quoc Island if you are after nice sunshine and no rain. Nha Trang is best from February through to October where an early morning dip in the ocean is a delight when the water is somewhere between 26 – 28°C! There is certainly no need to hesitantly inch your way in.</p> <p><strong>What to do</strong></p> <p>Nha Trang has a plethora of options when it comes to fun and entertainment. There are islands and diving sites to explore or aquariums, temples and a water park to visit. You may wish to venture to the local hot springs and soak or maybe just cover yourself in mud and then revel in your new 'skin'. You can find any number of spots with fantastic views to just grab a coffee, beer or cocktail and just rip into those good books you brought with you. Take the photo above as an example of where you could park yourself on the beach front but out of the sun and with table service to boot! All you ladies will absolutely love the nail/ hair salons they have, where everything from 'French Tips' to hair straightening will cost a fraction of what you would pay back home. Get your dental work done here. Why pay $600 or more for a crown (titanium inner) when you can pay just $150! Prescription glasses will also at a huge discount.</p> <p><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/27537/vietnam-expat-two_498x245.jpg" alt="Vietnam -Expat -Two" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>When in town, I love to take the ferry to Hong Tam Island for a half day. I take a book, my swimmers and enjoy the half of the island that is not off limits to those not staying here (about US$350 per night... ouch!). They have a fantastic large pool, restaurant, lovely beach and I just nab myself a nice hammock between two coconut palms giving me ample shade and marvel at the view and somehow attempt to finish my book between swims and eating. Tickets are available from the Hon Tam office at Nha Trang port. The cost is 370.000 dong per person (this may have changed) which includes the fast speed boat to the island, buffet lunch, use of the pools, snorkel equipment, kayaks showers, etc. Ice tea was free with lunch or Heineken cans were 35.000 dong each (US$1.50c).</p> <p>Motor bike parking is free at the port or you can catch the bus to VinPearl Resort and get off at the port, the second to last stop. The bus is 3000 dong (US$0.20c) from the city centre. Alternatively, for less than US$10 you could get to the port by taxi.</p> <p>Wanting to fill one day with as many activities as you can? Consider heading to Vinpearland. You can either go by slow ferry (about 20 mins) or take the cable car (about 10 minutes from memory). The ticket includes the cable car and all activities for the day (about USD$25) and the views over the beach, city and bay are fabulous! This is the world’s longest over-water cable car. Once there, well, it's really a child's fantasy land! Ok, we are all really just big kids and I had a great day here enjoying what this wonderland had to offer: Restaurants, Carnival rides, games room, a really impressive aquarium and then to top it all off a huge water park with a wave pool and slides galore! We finished off our day sipping a nice cool beer whilst enjoying sunset on the beach looking back across the water at Nha Trang. Oh, don't miss the light and music fountains which is a spectacular display of colour, light, motion, music and water acrobatics. The park is open from 9am to 10pm... just check prior to booking</p> <p>After an activity-filled day... enjoy a few made for total R&amp;R. Visit one of my favourite spots (Louisianne) which is actually a fabulous beach bar/restaurant with pool and their very own (to die for) Pilsner and range of dark beers! These hand crafted beers (500cc) served to you on your poolside lounger are around US$2! Seafood fried rice is a bargain for about US$4. If I have had enough sun prior to lunch, I would often shoot across the road (about a three minute walk) to my one of my favourite restaurants (Veranda) and select from their range of three course meals for no more than US$6-$7. All this in a slightly refined dining ambience with air con, free wifi and a view of the beach. The service however, can vary from enthusiastic to fairly ordinary but I always thought the food was great value for money!</p> <p>One of the best things about Nha Trang is the range of restaurants and bars all in close proximity. No problem if you want your croissant and espresso each morning as there are numerous places to satisfy this craving. Live football and rugby on the big screen? Not to fear, two streets back from the beach and there you can find a hub of sports bars catering to your every need. Anyone for a US$1.80 Heineken? Dinner time arrives before you know it and I found a great little seafood buffet restaurant where I can hoe into their wide range of freshly caught local produce for hours and pay no more than about US$12. As always, I literally waddle out of here as I quite possibly consume 4kg of seafood. Thank the lord the elevator is always in good working order at our apartment, I could never manage the stairs after a feed like that!</p> <p><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/27536/vietnam-expat-three_498x245.jpg" alt="Vietnam -Expat -Three" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>After an action-packed day of reading whilst tasting their entire range of ice cold ($2) boutique beer, why not go see a flick? After a leisurely stroll in the evening along the beach promenade with numerous other couples and families, head to the theatre at Nha Trang Centre. Tickets are less than $5 and yes, the Hollywood movies are in English.</p> <p>I haven't mentioned the bike/motorbike rides or the half/full day snorkelling/diving trips that one could do. There are cultural activities you could go see like the water puppet show, visit Long Son Pagoda and the Cathedral (French Gothic style). There is The National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam with a real 18 metre-long whale skeleton. If you feel a little tired, how about Thap Ba Hot Springs Centre which is a great place to relax and rejuvenate after a day of exploring Nha Trang. The Alexandre Yersin Museum commemorates the late French bacteriologist if you need to escape the heat and the brain is thirsting for some info! Another option could be The Hon Khoi Salt Fields which are one of the most unique tourist destinations in Nha Trang. Here female workers harvest mounds of natural salt from shallow fields between the months of January and June.</p> <p>Basically, there is more than enough to do or as little as possible! If it’s a fun, interesting, beautiful and warm destination that anyone, any age could enjoy for two nights or two months then Nha Trang is the spot for you!</p> <p>Have you ever been to Vietnam? If so, how did you find it? Let us know in the comments section below, we would love to hear from you.</p> <p><em>Find more information on Vietnam at the <a href="http://www.vietnamtravelapartments.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Vietnam Travel Apartments website</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/06/breathtaking-pictures-of-the-worlds-largest-cave/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Breathtaking photos give rare glimpse inside the world’s largest cave</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/5-trends-in-river-cruising-you-need-to-know-about/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 trends in river cruising you need to know about</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/08/why-vietnam-is-perfect-for-travellers-over-60/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Why Vietnam is perfect for travellers over 60</strong></em></span></a></p>

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From walking groups to tai chi, top 4 ways to stay active

<p>As we age it’s more important than ever to stay healthy and keep physically active. Having an active lifestyle later in life has many benefits, including building muscle, controlling things like weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and pain, as well as helping ease bone and joint problems. Regular exercise can also reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and also help prevent falls and injury.</p> <p>The good news? You don’t need to engage in long, vigorous activities to reap the benefits of exercise. These four activities are great options for those who haven’t exercised in a while, people with physical limitations, and people who may be getting back into it after an accident or a stay in hospital. </p> <p><strong>Tai chi</strong></p> <p>It’s a slow mediative exercise that’s been practiced in China for over 2,000 years and it’s incredibly beneficial, especially for people coming back from injury or people with physical limitations. Employing gentle movements with a focus on a mind-body connection, tai chi is non-strenuous, low-impact, can be performed anywhere and requires no special equipment.</p> <p>A 2012 study found that tai chi is one of the best options for older people as it provides the benefits of strength training without drawbacks for the heart and arteries. Research has also shown that tai chi helps general wellbeing, ranging from pain relief to lowered blood pressure, and is particularly good for people with arthritis and Parkinson’s disease.</p> <p><strong>Walking</strong></p> <p>The simple act of walking provides a myriad of health benefits for older people including increasing strength, agility and mobility. It is simple, free, low-impact, and almost anybody can do it! Walking doesn’t have to be a solo activity, there are plenty of local groups that can make walking social, enjoyable and part of your lifestyle.</p> <p>Research continuously shows that physical activity doesn’t have to be long and vigorous to improve your health, especially for seniors. A 2014 study of 1,600 people aged between 70 and 89 found that those who participated in a walking program for four months had significantly improved health when compared to those who did not walk. Walking is a particularly good option for people coming back from surgery or injury or those who haven’t exercised in a long time.</p> <p><strong>Hydrotherapy</strong></p> <p>Hydrotherapy uses a series of gentle movements in warm water, which facilitates movement and reduces stress on the body. It is an excellent choice for rehabilitation and treatment fitness programs, helping to ease stiff joints, relax muscles, relieve pain and build strength.</p> <p>This type of exercise is a good option for people with arthritis and joint pains, muscular aches and weaknesses, and neurological conditions. Sessions can be personally tailored, and are often led by highly trained physiotherapists.</p> <p><strong>Water-fitness activities</strong></p> <p>Any water-based activity is a great option for seniors with health and medical conditions looking to improve their overall wellbeing.</p> <p>Aquatic exercises challenge the body, building strength, balance, coordination and cardiovascular health, while the water-induced buoyancy will prevent you from falling and ease strain on problem areas. Unlike land-based activities that can be strenuous on the body, exercising in the water reduces stress on the body and is almost guaranteed to be injury-free!</p> <p>Aqua aerobics is a popular class to attend, and there are ever-increasing options for water-based programs including water yoga and water pilates. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2015/12/community-key-to-happy-retirement/">The importance of community in retirement</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2015/12/how-to-mentally-prepare-yourself-for-retirement/">8 steps to mentally prepare yourself for retirement</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2015/11/what-to-consider-before-downsizing-in-retirement/">6 questions you must ask yourself before downsizing</a> </strong></span></em></p>

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