adventure | Silver Magazine

Travel

Mood Boost: Your old travel pics

With the winter blahs upon us and with the pandemic putting the kybosh on pretty much any travel this year, things can seem glum. One way to boost your mood a little bit and feel more relaxed is to look at past pictures from your travel adventures. Leading UK behavioral psychologist Jo Hemmings says: “Taking the time to look back on our treasured memories can be truly beneficial for our wellbeing as it can help to evoke feelings of positivity and happiness.” He did some research into looking at old pictures and while for some, it can evoke feelings of sadness, for most, they bring back good memories. Especially when we look at them with the person we went on holiday with or had some great adventure. Research has shown that the place in the home with the most pictures immediately triggers a happier sense of wellbeing and is often

Alex Hurst February 3, 2021

Travel

A life changing climb on Kilimanjaro

“Mom, if Martina Navratilova can’t do it, you can’t do it.” My child’s words echoed in my head as I took my first cortisone-laced footsteps along the Western Breach approach to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Indeed, the then-54, very fit tennis superstar was air lifted off this very mountain with fluid in her lungs. So, what the hell was I trying to prove? I’d been determined to conquer Africa’s highest peak (19,341 feet) ever since a cheating ex-boyfriend failed to do so a few years back. I’d show him. That first attempt was sidelined before it began when my hockey player son broke his hip and returned home to convalesce. Stacked odds kept piling on. The day before this departure, the beautiful man who helped shape my child’s life died from heart complications. Bob Smye’s heart was just too big, and too full. “You have to cancel your trip,”

Cynthia Schultz December 9, 2020

Travel

Escape to The Southern Gulf Islands, B.C. with Five Tips

Thinking of taking a wellness Fall/Winter retreat to The Southern Gulf Islands, in B.C.? Before visiting one of the islands on the Salish Sea; Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Salt Spring and Saturna, careful planning is the key to a safe and healthy trip during the pandemic. In an interview, Jacqueline East, general manager of the Southern Gulf Islands Tourism Partnership Society describes her vision by sharing five “know before you go” tips inspired by doing a bit of research in advance. The Southern Gulf Islands, tucked between the mainland coast of British Columbia and Vancouver Island, is known for its unique ecosystems and also known for their wineries, local artists, farm stands, and popular outdoor activities. During the pandemic, Jacqueline noted, “Well, it’s been interesting, lots of our local small businesses have had to innovate and adapt. They don’t see themselves as a typical tourist destination. In some ways the pandemic

Christine Blanchette November 12, 2020

Travel

Golfing in Malaysia

Striking scenery, exotic cultures and cuisines and a variety of tropical courses. Just don’t stray too far from the fairways. MALAYSIA for golf—halfway around the world just to chase that dimpled ball up and down fairways? The answer is: Yes, if you love adventure. The destination is an intriguing brush with different cultures, varied histories and fabulous food that reflects the Malay, Indian and Chinese population. There is history here. The Klang and Gombak rivers meet at the city of Kuala Lumpur. KL to the locals, it means “muddy river junction.” When the Chinese arrived in 1857 looking to mine tin, the place was a heavy forested jungle. There was a lot of fighting over the tin and eventually the British took control. The British influence is still evident in a lot of the city’s architecture. The Indian and Chinese cultures are also very strong throughout the city. Is Malaysia

Tom Peters November 2, 2020

Longevity

The art of courage and longevity

Longevity is about time: Somewhere between a detached focus on the long term and an obsession with the present lies the sweet spot. THE concept of longevity speaks about living—and doing so for a long time. Most people would say it is all about how long we live; not many would offer that longevity is about quality of life. I wonder why that is. They might be stuck in the familiar approach of “that does not apply to me.” Few believe they will get in a car accident, especially one that would put them into a wheelchair for the rest of their days. That is one reason some people drive like it does not matter; because, for them, it does not matter. So what is the state of mind of someone who seems detached from most of the rest of the world? The quality of their life seems to be independent

Joseph Seiler November 1, 2020

Travel

Winter Divers are Explorers

The winter cold doesn’t stop these divers from exploring the depths and observing the sea creatures revealed by the diminished plant life. THE snow is falling and ice is forming on the water—time for scuba drivers to hang up their suits for the winter months or plan trips to warmer destinations. Although this may be true for many divers, some prefer to get a little chilly, especially in New Brunswick. “A lot of the plant life dies off or becomes much thinner underwater in the winter, so things that seaweed was hiding are now visible,” says Kim Langille of Moncton, a diver since 1998. “The fish seem to be a bit slower, making them easier to photograph.” The sea life is one of the things Langille likes most about diving. “I love the sea creatures,” she says. “There are so many weird, ugly, freaky, prehistoric-looking sea dwellers in our waters.”

Trudy Kelly Forsythe October 19, 2020

Fitness

Best stretches for travellers

These stretches will relieve tightness and improve your overall wellbeing during long periods of sitting and standing. This includes travel — and a lot of modern life in general. We can all relate to the pain that comes with traveling. Not just the kind that you get when dealing with airports, delays or mishaps with plans. I’m talking about the aches and discomfort that come with sitting for what feels like days on end, lifting and moving heavy luggage, not sleeping — you get the gist. I know these pains first-hand! I travel for work weekly and it definitely takes a toll on my body. Stretching has been my saving grace that’s helped me cope with the physical aggravation and reduce my muscle and joint tension after long or constant travel. Travelling is a very sedentary process requiring us to sit for long periods. Stretching during and after travel

Jaclyn Phillips August 25, 2020

Fitness

The value of getting outdoors

For exercise, we are always faced with two roads: indoors or outdoors—the gym, say, or Mother Nature. The first is familiar, a path well worn by routine, control, and familiar faces. The latter is foreign: it tends to be a path explored in good weather, to-and-from the car, and when you go on vacation. Even so, nature is unpredictable, more or less. That’s a good thing. When was the last time you took your gym outside? When was the last time you made the choice to take the road less travelled? In Robert Frosts’ poem, and in your overall fitness, when you take “The Road Not Taken,” it makes a difference. There are many benefits. IT’S SOCIAL In all seasons, outdoor activities tend to be social. Hiking, skiing, garage gyms, cycling, tobogganing, swimming, and even walking are activities we tend to do with others. And when we work out with

Jennie Graham August 4, 2020

Longevity

Project England

We moved here for a change. We’re glad we did—and now we appreciate Canada more than ever. We’ve been in England for five years, both by choice and circumstance. Life is different here. Our current address includes the term Cottage. We moved here, partly, to give our children the experience of another country, not because we found Canada unacceptable in any way. However, we felt that living abroad would educate the kids and, hopefully, give them a better appreciation for Canada. It’s done that, although English schools required a bit of adjustment for these Canadians. Arriving with three kids compelled us to quickly learn about school, GCSEs and A levels. All three were fortunate to go to the same school, which was built in 1660 and looks a bit like Hogwarts. What impressed me, though, was the church next door that was having repair work done to its roof. In

David Swanson July 10, 2020