122 PLANNING FOR LATER LIFE More information
if asked to do so for ‘security’ reasons’. If you’re asked to do so, end the call immediately, give it fi ve minutes and then call your bank or building society. After you’ve replaced the receiver the phone line can remain open for up to fi ve minutes before the caller is automatically disconnected. During that time some scammers play a recording of the dialling tone. • Never reply to emails asking for your personal or security information, as this could be a fraudster trying to get your confi dential information. • Banks and police never ask for pin numbers or send couriers to collect bank cards.
• Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline, call 03454 04 05 06. • The Silver Line is the UK’s fi rst free and confi dential helpline for older people. It is available on 0800 4 70 80 90 every day and night of the year to offer lonely and vulnerable older people information, support and protection from abuse or neglect, or just a friendly chat with someone who is genuinely interested in what they have to say. • Report fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. • Report a loan
shark on 0300 555 2222. • For information and support for victims and their families, visit
www.thinkjessica.com
• Visit
www.whocanyoutrust.org.uk/ • Visit
www.ageuk.org.uk, the UK’s largest charity working with older people.
• trueCall blocked 98% of
nuisance phone calls in tests carried out by Trading Standards. Visit
www.truecall.
co.uk or call 08000 336 330. • Checkatrade is a free service giving you the background information
on choosing a reliable and trusted tradesperson. Visit www.
checkatrade.com or call 0333 0146 190.
www.indexdigital.co.uk
New season, new spring in your step?
With autumn upon us, it’s often the time of year we think about pressing the “refresh” button on our health and wellness, and turning over a new leaf to start off the new season right. Breakfast TV’s Dr Hilary Jones shares top tips that focus on the benefi ts of getting outdoors, and how spending time in nature and the fresh air can boost our health and wellbeing. Spending time surrounded by nature can be a highly effective way to restore your sense of calm and boost your mood. But you don’t need to head to the Amazon rainforest or go trekking in the Alps to feel rejuvenated. Research shows that spending as little as 15 or 20 minutes strolling or sitting peacefully outside can reduce the feelings of anxiety. This autumn why not get your nature fi x by joining a local walking group, going on a cycle ride or simply relax and enjoy your spot of countryside? Look up at the sky. Feel the wind. Listen to the birds. Relax…
When we think of nature we immediately think of the sights, sounds, smell and touch of the outdoors – whether it’s listening to bird
song, feeling rain on our skin, seeing trees sway in the breeze or hearing the sound of autumn leaves crunching underfoot. Research by high street hearing experts, Hidden Hearing, reveals that three quarters of people claim their hearing is key to enjoying the great outdoors, yet despite this only a quarter say they would seek help if they were concerned about their hearing. Seeking help for a potential hearing problem is key, so if you’re not hearing as well as you used to, book a free hearing test at your local Hidden Hearing centre (
www.hiddenhearing.co.uk). Gardening, without doubt, is a favourite outdoor activity among the older generation, and a spot of gardening not only gives you a good physical workout – researchers have found that smelling roses and pulling up weeds can lower blood pressure, increase brain activity and produce a general upbeat feeling. The science is now being used in hospitals and rehabilitation centres in the US, where “healing gardens” have been
created for patients to look at and walk through. Gardening can be both energetic and relaxing at the same time, and there is nothing better than being able to stand back and admire your hard work.
Feeling sluggish? The answer might be to get yourself outside as it’s proven that spending time in nature makes all of us feel more alive and revitalised. Nature is fuel for the soul, and often when we feel low on energy we reach for a cup of coffee or a sugary snack, but getting out in the fresh air is a quick way to kick your brain into high gear – so ditch the caffeine and stick to a walk in the park instead! Research has also shown that people
with a greater sense of vitality don’t just have more energy for things they want to do, they are more resilient to physical illness.
© Gareth Davies 2012
www.gdaviesphoto.com Image licensed by Ingram Image
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