What doesn’t kill us …

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

Problems, questions? Please shoot an email to Gray@TheBig65.com. If it’s serious, book a time on my calendar. We’ll do our best, promise 😊☎️.

Did you see the eclipse?

The solar eclipse, 2024.

Plato and I didn’t see squat of the eclipse here in Colorado, but it did give him an excuse go next door and to say “hey” to Sally.

Karl's neighbor Sally with Plato.

Meanwhile, Shava and I were out back checking the health of 60,000 of our dearest friends. The bees thrived this winter so we’re splitting the hives, sending the established queens to the country and making space for the new queens.

Shava and Karl working on the bee hives.

When you remove the Queen, the hive has to get their act together to produce a new Queen quickly. I so appreciate Beekeeper Shava’s guidance to make sure I don’t screw things up…with the hives, or elsewhere.

Shava holding the bees.

Fortunately, my Queen bee Quantz is fearless and she keeps me connected. Which brings us to today’s blog – watch out for loneliness.

Quantz examining the bee hives.

Bees have a built-in community, but for us humans, loneliness is an epidemic. Left untreated, it can seriously harm our health.

Studies suggest loneliness can change how the brain and body respond to stress, rewards, and social cues, potentially leading to long-term health problems like dementia.

These are actionable steps we can take to combat loneliness:

•  Ask for Help:  Don’t be shy to reach out to friends when feeling lonely.

•  Be Social:  Join community events or groups to meet people.

•  Get Moving:  Exercise can boost your mood and is a chance to socialize.

•  Think Positive:  Try to see social situations in a good light.

•  Seek Support:  If loneliness feels overwhelming, consider talking to a professional.

•  Stay Connected:  Use calls or video chats to keep in touch with loved ones.

•  Find Your Crowd:  Look for groups that share your interests.

•  Embrace New Friendships:  Be open to making new friends wherever you go.

These are things my buddy Marcel did and it made a world of difference.

Marcel who came to view the solar eclipse.

Marcel lost his partner of 45 years on April 8, 2022. This year, he decided to celebrate the memory of the passing by travelling from the Netherlands to the US (with a group of strangers) to see the eclipse on April 8, 2024.

Marcel's group ready to view the solar eclipse.

Marcel’s group of Dutch & Belgians flew to Texas just to see the eclipse. Because of weather forecasts, they traveled over eight hundred miles through New Mexico, Oklahoma, Missouri, finally to Conway, Arkansas to fulfill their goal.

Solar eclipse time.

Thank goodness they had a plan and their persistence was rewarded. It was only afterwards that Marcel told the group how he honored his spouse by coming for the eclipse. What a great way to celebrate a loss and to create new friendships and adventure.

Friendly people celebrating the solar eclipse in April of 2024.

I was proud of Marcel for getting out of his comfort zone and doing something new. Is there something new you can do to make your life better?

Marcel and Plato taking a break.

Colorado’s next full eclipse will occur in 2045. Marcel says he coming. Will you be here? If you stay connected to others, you’ll definitely increase your chances of attending.

How I do to stay connected? How about a beer with my buddy Gerry, but just one🍺😉, right? Everything in moderation, even moderation 😂.

Karl's buddy Gerry holding a can of beer.

Getting old ain’t for sissies, and sometimes we will feel like crying. Nothing wrong with that. But after we pick ourselves up, my goal is to be like Maddy. This is what her owner says:

There’s no stick too big for Maddy.”

Maddy the dog looking at a big tree.

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

Refer a Friend

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

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

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
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.


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
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.

Karl Bruns-Kyler of The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Agency.

Have a little heart

Greetings and may this blog find you in great health 💪 with your Medicare coverage 🏥 working properly. How was your week?

Any problems with your coverage? If so, book a time on my calendar or shoot an email to my admin Gray@TheBig65.com. Let us know 😊☎️.

Plato, Q and I had a quiet Easter Sunday at home in Colorado. Sometimes it’s just nice to relax, isn’t it?

Quantz at home in Colorado.

We rose early and breakfasted at The Original Pancake House, our favorite national breakfast chain. Be sure to save up your statins if you order the apple pancakes and the bacon, but man oh man, it’s worth it, three meals from one order. I don’t like their coffee, but we love their pancakes.

Which brings us to today’s topic, heart health.

Karl Bruns-Kyler about to enjoy some tasty pancakes at breakfast.

You don’t have to be a doctor to know that moderation is the secret to good living. Paying better attention to our health is an important part of aging well.

Here are some helpful ideas backed by studies to promote heart health.

Quantz working in the kitchen.

Stay Active:

•  Engage in regular physical activity tailored to your abilities. Even gentle exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga can significantly benefit heart health. How about polishing the silverware?

•  According to a study published in the American Heart Association journal, regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease in older adults by 25%.

A cairn located in Colorado.

Manage Stress:

•  Practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or hobbies that bring joy and relaxation.

•  A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that stress management techniques can lead to significant improvements in heart health among seniors.

Every time I bike the bluffs, I try to drop a rock on this cairn.

Plato lounging in the back yard with a friend.

Monitor Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels:

•  Regularly check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels as per your doctor’s recommendations.

•  Research has shown that maintaining optimal blood pressure and cholesterol levels can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in older adults.

Three nice ladies pose for a photo.

Stay Socially Connected:

•  Maintain strong social connections with friends, family, and community groups. Social isolation has been associated with an elevated risk of heart disease and mortality. Tina and her sisters take a weekend trip together every year.

•  According to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, seniors who actively engage in social activities have better heart health outcomes. For Luke and Carmen, that means travelling forty three hours from Virginia to Jakarta to spend time with their grandvarmints.

Luke and Carmen with their beautiful family.

Get Sufficient Sleep:

•  Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Poor sleep patterns have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular issues.

•  A study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation revealed that older adults who consistently get enough sleep have healthier hearts compared to those who experience sleep disturbances.

Marcel just arrived in the US from the Netherlands to watch the Solar Eclipse. Will you get to see it?

Marcel who just arrived in the US from the Netherlands to watch the Solar Eclipse.

Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet:

•  Embrace a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like those found in nuts, seeds, and olive oil.

•  Research from the American Heart Association suggests that adhering to a Mediterranean-style diet can lower the risk of heart disease among older individuals by up to 30%.

•  My little brother Haas grows a lot of food on his farm in the Shenandoah Valley. This weekend, he’ll be hunting for Morell mushrooms, if the deer and the gobblers don’t get to them first.

A farm in the Shenandoah Valley at sunset.

Caring for your heart is a lifelong endeavor, and we can take proactive steps to safeguard our cardiovascular health. Remember, it’s never too late to prioritize your heart health!

As the famous saying goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Let’s start nurturing our hearts today for a healthier tomorrow.

A candid photo of exercise physiologist and registered dietician Cate Reade in Colorado.

Great news! Due to your responses, Exercise Physiologist and Registered Dietician Cate Reade has agreed to create a wellness webinar on balance for The Big 65. We’ll announce the dates next Saturday. See how excited my brother Rob is 😉😂.

Please email the questions or topics you’d like Cate to address.

Rob and his grandson sit for a portrait.

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.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

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
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.


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
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.

Karl Bruns-Kyler of The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Agency.