It’s time to sharpen that saw

Greetings and  may this blog find you in amazing health 💪 with your Medicare insurance coverage 🏥 working properly.

We’re four weeks away from the Annual Election Period. If you want to know how to get ready, check out this link. Just remember to avoid all the illegal telemarketers.

For regular Medicare questions, quotes, or quandaries, email Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar and we’ll get it sorted.

In the meantime, Plato is loving the autumn weather here in Colorado: sunny, cool and delightful. He never met a patch of grass that he didn’t love.

Plato in the green grass.

My wife Q is still in Madagascar, making as many new friends as possible and seeing as much she can.

Quantz with an animal on her shoulder.

She’s the most adventurous person I know and that’s what I love about her. Travel is a great way to keep your mind sharp.

Quantz with a snake around her shoulder.

Seeing new things, getting out of your comfort zone, and experiencing different cultures are great ways to grow new synapses.

A woman on the beach.

As we age, it becomes increasingly important to maintain our physical and our mental well-being. Of course you can travel and play with spiders if you want.

A large spider in the palm of a human hand.

Fortunately, there are lots of small, daily habits we can do at home that will make a big difference in how well your brain functions.

Here are some easy ways to keep our minds active and healthy. And don’t worry, they don’t include public speaking to 150 retirees like I did this week in Highlands Ranch!

Karl speaking to a roomful of seniors about Medicare in Highlands Ranch.

Exercise Your Brain with Puzzles

Puzzles are a fantastic way to engage the mind. Whether it’s a crossword, Sudoku, a jigsaw puzzle, or Wordle, these activities challenge your brain by stretching your memory and problem-solving skills.

Of course you can do puzzles on your phone, but don’t discount the neuro-cognitive value of doing puzzles with pen and paper.

Here’s a puzzle for you: why did I spend $20 on fox urine to try to protect my 5 peaches from the local racoons? Of course the racoons ate four of them. That makes this a $20 dollar peach😳!

A peach in the palm of Karl's hand.

Stick to a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Good sleep is essential for a healthy mind and one of the greatest ways to protect our brains. Maintaining a consistent sleep routine allows your brain to rest and rejuvenate. Everyone’s sleep needs vary, but if you often feel tired or sluggish, it may be a sign that you need to improve your sleep habits.

I’m a big believer in the coffee nap: if you’re feeling tired in the early afternoon, down a cup of joe, set timer for 20 minutes, cover your eyes and snooze. The alarm will ring just as the caffeine is kicking in.

Studies have shown that regular short naps can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.

Plato thinks paddleboarding reduces the risk of having to walk too much😉.  After feeding him on the paddleboard all last week, I’m happy to report he jumped right on!

I fell in twice, he never left the board. Turns out you can teach old dogs new tricks.

Plato on a paddleboard.

Stay Social and Connect with Others

You know I’m a broken record but human connection is vital for brain health.

Regular social interactions can help prevent cognitive decline. Simple activities like a quick phone call, video chat, or an in-person meet-up can boost your mental well-being.

Plato and I got a surprise visit from our daughter Sus and it sure brightened up a quiet weekend. If nobody’s visiting you, go say hello to a neighbor. You’ll be glad you did. Sus is testing out The Big 65 jar openers you’ll be receiving at the end of this month.

Sus testing The Big 65 jar opener.

Of course it’s challenging to get out, especially for those with mobility issues, but technology makes it easier than ever to stay connected. Set aside time to catch up with family or friends a few times a week—these conversations not only brighten your day but also stimulate your brain.

I try to get on facetime with my brothers at least once a week. My brother Rabbit sometimes gripes that l call too much. Hey, that’s just the way I roll. What can I say. I love my brothers and I will never take them for granted. Who do you need to call?

Rob Kyler looking at the camera.

Explore New Experiences for Sensory Stimulation

Engaging all your senses is another way to keep your mind sharp. This could be something as simple as trying a new recipe, attending a local event, or taking up a new hobby like painting or gardening. By exposing yourself to new sights, sounds, and experiences, you’re stimulating different parts of your brain.

This week, my friend Shava helped me harvest the beehives under our grape vines. The Japanese beetles and the raccoons harvested most of the grapes🦝😡!

The beehives in Karl's backyard.

Shava is a professional beekeeper and she was pretty excited about the flavor of our honey. It’s getting bottled and now we’re getting the bees ready for winter.

Shava tasting the honey.

Maintaining a sharp mind as you age doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. By incorporating simple habits—puzzles, good sleep, socializing, and new experiences—you can keep your brain engaged and functioning well for years to come.

Plato said he would like to have a new sensory experience with honeycombs, but he knows better, right Plato? If Plato doesn’t eat all the honey, I promise to share a few bottles.

Plato eyeing the honeycombs in Karl's kitchen.

Keep squeezing the juice out of life and look for ways to help others!

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

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Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

 

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
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Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 10 organizations that offer 50 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.