PILL BOTTLES + 1
Don’t just toss them into the trash. (Remember to dispose of unused or out-of-date medicines at a certified disposal site like your local hospital or pharmacy).
1. REMOVE THE LABEL. There’s a ton of mis-usable information about you on the label. And if it has a valid refill it’s GOLD to the unscrupulous.
Remove label by pealing or by soaking in water.
Wrap up the label with writing inside.
2. DO NOT BOTHER TO RECYCLE. Very little plastic thrown into the recycling bin is actually recycled (about 5% I read recently). So, I don’t waste my time prepping small items. I save my energy for much larger pieces, like milk jugs and single-use water bottles (I use as few as possible, too).
3. CLEAN and DONATE. Who would take a clean pill bottle with no label?
– Animal shelters. They need a lot of them and new ones are expensive. Save up a small box of pill bottles … call ahead and see if they accept them. Make sure the labels have been removed (research how best to remove the sticky glue) and carefully sanitize first.
– Humanitarian Aid Organizations (especially those which provide medical care in third world areas). Again, they need them.
Will these things keep them out of a land fill? No, but they do get a second useful life before then. We have found that reusing or repurposing sometimes saves us money and helps to organize life. So, why not!
LONGEVITY, HOW?
I have found several articles about practical ways to extend one’s life. Sharing what I’ve learned here…
1. Be PERSISTENT and PRUDENT. Being “happy-go-lucky” is the path to an early grave. Being dour is worse. Apparently, having a desire to NOT fulfill your bucket list is a better way. Don’t mountain climb. Don’t jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Don’t try a hot-air balloon ride. Avoid swimming with sharks. Those little “chances” or “thrills” tend to set you up for that broken hip or twisted ankle that puts you down for good.
2. WORK HARD and LONG. That goal to “retire early” is not in your favor. Those who live longer are those who work longer. Studies show that the person who beat the odds was more likely to have worked an extra year before retiring. You should finish with a job you enjoy. Maybe volunteer for a year or two.
3. GENETICS Doesn’t Always Rule. Sure, if your parents (and grandparents) died before age 65 the probability is higher that you will, too. Euell Gibbons (some may remember the name) died of an aneurysm (a genetic defect) in 1975 at age 64. He was into exercise and healthy eating. His lifestyle choices gave him a good life. I heard (but can’t confirm) that his parents both died young. The parents of a friend both died young (dad at 52, mom at 55). Heart attacks. He almost made it to age 60 because he stayed active even though he was seriously overweight. He played golf (the Devil’s game) and saw his doctor regularly.
So, you can beat the odds given you by genetics. If even one of your parents lived past 70, and you follow good health systems, your chance of outliving them is very high. What kind of good health systems? Staying away from tobacco and vaping, avoiding alcohol over consumption, maintaining a healthful weight, exercise, good diet, and seeing your doctor regularly.
4. Aging Is a PROCESS. Those who lived longer did not allow aging to stop them. It slowed them, but they refused to stop. You may not be able to bowl anymore, but you can do something. Go for a walk, climb those stairs (instead of using the elevator), park farther from the store entrance. Successful agers keep making friends and socializing. I have an 81 year old friend who is continually active in helping others. He drives friends to doctor appointments and even volunteers for a little in-home care (short-term stuff) for those recovering from surgeries.
5. STOP BAD HABITS. My dad had been a heavy smoker for 45 years. He was often sick and had a hacking cough. A test showed he had experienced a mild heart attack at some point. A year after he gave up tobacco he was strong and fit. He never had another heart attack and his persistent cough went away. Studies show that risks from smoking drop like a stone within a year after quitting. It is true for almost any bad habit. Our bodies are resilient and can recover if we give them the chance. That includes changing how you spend time in the sun. Even middle-aged people who started to use sunscreen reaped the reward of fewer wrinkles on their face after one summer. The point is that it is rarely too late to benefit from ending a bad habit, unless you wait until you have cancer or need new lungs.
6. PREPARE FOR THE END. This is one of the most difficult. Life ends; no one makes it out alive. See a lawyer and set up your end of life stuff (nearly 40% don’t). Talk to a counselor or priest. Write your final wishes. Why leave the tough stuff for others? For example, my family knows that I want to be “extra crispy” when that time comes. Do you know how long it will take your executor to close just one bank account or credit card? The answer is: 3 hours or more (finding the information, making calls, submitting documents, etc.). Multiply that by the number of different banks, investments, credit cards. See? Simplify for them.
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere.
ALSO, Don is always open to offer his thoughts on various topics. If you have a specific request, you can let him know in a comment; he reads – and replies to – them all. ~ Sherry]
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