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Growing Connections Meet Austin Sharon Pilgrim Terrace

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Meet Austin Sharon | Pilgrim Terrace

Alexander Gardens (AG): Tell us a little about yourself and your background. What experiences have shaped who you are today?

Austin Sharon (AS): Born and raised in South Lake Tahoe, CA, I formed a deep relationship with Mother Nature at a young age, which shaped me into a person who cares deeply about our environment and our connection to it.

I grew up enjoying outdoor activities like skiing, biking, swimming, and more. Moving to Santa Barbara to learn how to surf and go to college, I reflected on how I grew up to help me decide what to study, and the motto “Keep Tahoe Blue” influenced me to get a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies because it has always been a constant reminder to respect and protect our natural world.

With experiences like canvassing to raise money for environmental issues, experimenting with starting my own businesses, and traveling the world to bring clean water to developing countries, I have learned that unconditional love and embracing the unknown are what make life truly exciting.

I am always striving to evolve and become the best version of myself, developing many healthy habits like meditation and prioritizing a whole-food diet to support my success on my journey.

AG: What led you to Pilgrim Terrace Urban Farm? Was there a particular moment or experience that inspired you to become involved?

AS: I started at Pilgrim Terrace in the summer of 2022 directly out of college. At first, I was attracted to the mission supporting vulnerable populations with food security using eco-friendly agriculture solutions.

My summer experience working with environmental nonprofits made me excited to experience another nonprofit opportunity. My passion for nutritious food, innovative systems for a better world, and the loving community are a few of the things that have kept me around for the last 4 years.

Pilgrim Terrace and The Alexander Properties focus on community relationships, wellness and connections. What excites you about partnering with The Alexander Properties?

I am excited to have more seniors in our community accessing nutrient-dense and local food options with ease because I know they will enjoy it and they will feel good after eating.

Also, the possibility of having Pilgrim Terrace residents and Alexander Garden residents socialize at special events is something I can’t wait to take place.

AG: Tell us about how this partnership and experiences benefit residents, families, and staff and the community at large?

AS: This partnership will benefit residents, families, staff, and the community at large in many ways. Residents will have the opportunity to strengthen their immune systems, feel more energy, and socialize with residents at Pilgrim Terrace. Families will be delighted with the care their elders are receiving and may even take part in some of the nutrient-dense food being offered. Staff will feel satisfaction in the care being offered, and I am sure they will get some positive feedback from residents excited about the health-enhancing opportunities. The community at large will benefit from the partnership because it is supporting the stability of a local and closed loop system that provides proper care and nourishment free of pesticides to our most vulnerable populations.

AG: How can opportunities like gardening, learning about food, and connecting with nature enrich people’s lives at any age?

AS: Gardening, knowledge about food, and connecting with nature all have so many benefits for people at any age. When people get in the garden or nature in general, they are experiencing stress relief, getting exercise, getting sun, and interacting with microorganisms that boost serotonin in the brain. Knowledge about food helps people make the right choices to reach healthy outcomes that better their lives. Whether that's getting sick less, feeling stronger, or simply being filled with excitement and joy, I believe that the more we connect with what is natural, the happier we all live and the healthier we all can be.

AG: What message would you like to share with the Santa Barbara community about our partnership and why are relationships and connections important?

AS: To live in a better world, we all have to start somewhere. When we start at home, we can focus on the issues that affect people closest to us. In Santa Barbara, there are approximately 44,000 seniors who are food insecure, and there are not enough systems to make it easy for at-risk community members to receive quality care. At Pilgrim Terrace, we believe that quality nutrition is a basic human right, and we do everything we can to support vulnerable community members with the care and solutions they deserve. By partnering with organizations like Alexander Gardens, we can multiply our impact to offer quality nutrition, care, and social opportunities to more people in our community who can truly benefit.

 

 

Motivation in Motion

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Motivation in Motion, by Leslie Sokol, Creator and Founder, For the YOUNG at HEART

Physical activity is a great way to boost your health and mood. As you age, staying active and healthy can help you maintain the ability to do the activities you have always enjoyed most. However, it can be difficult at times to find the energy or desire to follow through on your fitness goals. In order to make sure you stay on track, it’s important to understand what motivation is and how you can use it to your advantage.

What is Motivation?

Motivation is a process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. In short, motivation causes you to act in a way that gets you closer to your goals, needs, desires, wants, or drives. Motivation creates action -- the more you plan and the more you achieve, the more motivated you feel to continue driving that action forward. It also reflects something unique about each one of us and allows us to gain valued outcomes like improved performance, enhanced well-being, personal growth, and a sense of purpose. Motivation is a pathway to changing your way of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

There are two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation comes from within you – you choose to do an activity for its inherent satisfaction. When you are intrinsically motivated, the reward is the enjoyment of the task and the satisfaction of seeing it through. You might feel inspired because what you are doing aligns with your personal core values. Extrinsic motivation comes from external factors. It describes behavior driven by external rewards, such as money or social recognition. These two types of motivation aren’t mutually exclusive. Motivation is typically a blend of internal and external factors that contribute to your desire to stay committed or interested in a position, goal or subject.

There are eight types of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation:

  • Attitude
  • Achievement
  • Incentive
  • Power
  • Fear
  • Expectancy
  • Affiliation
  • Competence

Several factors can contribute to your motivation levels and can affect your productivity, dedication, and commitment to work and success.

Motivation and Exercise

One area that almost all of us struggle with is staying motivated to exercise on a regular basis. We know that consistency is the key to achieving the results we want, but we find ourselves making excuses to skip workouts. It’s crucial to be able to motivate yourself on days when you’re not feeling excited about working out. Here are a few tips on how to stay motivated:

  • Engage in positive self-talk.
  • Change your mindset; be realistic.
  • Set simple goals that you can achieve.
  • Schedule your workouts at convenient times.
  • Get competitive - join a team or group.
  • Find your fitness tribe by asking friends and family members to exercise with you.
  • Hire a personal fitness trainer to set up an exercise plan and program.
  • Choose exercise, sports, or activities that you enjoy.
  • Give yourself a reward and treat yourself to something special when you accomplish small wins.

Once you do get motivated to exercise, just know that you have to work at it consistently and stay focused on your goals. Be patient with yourself; results do not happen overnight! Remember to pat yourself on the back and give yourself lots of credit for staying motivated and consistent with your exercise plan. You can achieve anything you set your mind to; stay motivated, have fun, and keep moving!

About the Author

Leslie Sokol is the creator and founder of the adult dance and fitness program For the Young at Heart. She has been teaching adults and children for forty-five years. You can watch For the Young at Heart on Cox YurView by visiting her YouTube Channel or on TVSB (times and channels can be found on her website). She also teaches in retirement communities

The Power of Inspiration

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Leslie Sokol is the creator and founder of For the Young at Heart.

The Power of Inspiration: What is Inspiration?  The word inspiration is derived from the Latin inspirare which means “to breathe into.” The word also shares a connection with spirit, which comes from the Latin word for “breath,” spiritus, (which is also from spirare). When you are inspired, you are breathing life (i.e., passion, or motivation or desire) into an idea. When you feel inspired, you might find yourself awakened to new possibilities and find ordinary experiences transcend into the extraordinary. You will become more engaged, confident and motivated to solve problems and find creative solutions. Inspiration can have a major effect on life and business outcomes, so it is important that you understand how to activate, capture and control feelings of inspiration as they come up in your life.

Inspiration Through Exercise: Exercise is an easy way to create feelings of inspiration within yourself. It’s not just about getting fit or looking good -- exercise can also give you courage, pleasure and better friendships. As you exercise, you are increasing the production of endorphins, serotonin and norepinephrine, which produce feelings of happiness. These positive feelings carry you throughout the day and contribute to an overall uplift in every area of your life.

As a dance instructor and wellness coach for seniors, I find inspiring others through the joy of exercise both satisfying and rewarding. I love to encourage my students during our workouts to tap into their inner confidence, boost their beliefs about themselves, and feel good, all while getting in shape and having fun! I always say, “It’s not always what you teach, but how you teach.” It is my job to motivate, encourage and educate my students about how much better they will feel as they become active. I love seeing my students try their best and I appreciate their efforts to improve their health so they can live joy-filled lives every day.

Two Types of Inspiration: There are two types of inspiration: passive and active. Passive inspiration is what you might feel while you watch television, read an article or listen to an interview. Active inspiration is the act of creation, generating new ideas, and enjoying feelings of long-term passion and enthusiasm.

Passive inspiration can give you ideas but active inspiration gives you momentum. Taking action will inspire you more than anything. You probably know that exercising and moving on a regular basis is good for you, but until you actually take action (by going for a walk, taking a dance class or swimming laps), you aren’t actually acting on that idea. When you only think about the things that inspire you, you are experiencing passive inspiration. In comparison, active inspiration motivates you to make changes and do something different.

Ways to Become Inspired

  1. Be active and physical. This might mean participating in a dance or exercise class that forces you to learn new steps and routines. Challenge yourself, be creative, get in shape, be fit and have fun.2.
  2. Strike up a conversation. Being social and open-minded is important. Sharing your life experiences and listening to others tell their stories or ideas is definitely inspiring. New ideas can also be influenced by your social environment.3.
  3. Watch a movie, read a book, listen to music. All of these activities can inspire you and will bring out your creativity, imagination, thoughts and ideas.

Your actions have the power to inspire you. The best inspiration comes from the application of ideas, not the consumption of them. Love life to the fullest and focus on the positive - that’s what the power of inspiration can do for all of us!

About the Author: Leslie Sokol is the creator and founder of For the Young at Heart, an adult dance and fitness program designed to support healthy, joyful aging. She has been teaching dance and fitness to adults and children for more than forty-five years and currently teaches in retirement communities throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

Leslie’s For the Young at Heart program can be seen on Cox YurView, TVSB, and her YouTube channel, with program times and additional information available on her website at www.LeslieSokolsDance.com. She also offers online classes for adults seeking accessible, engaging movement at home.

For more information, Leslie can be reached at leslie@lesliesokolsdance.com or by phone at 408-836-8559.

 

Summer Fun for Seniors

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Summertime is here, and with it comes the desire to get outdoors, breathe fresh air, soak up some sun, and have fun! This is the perfect time to reap the benefits of warmer weather and longer days. Exercising outdoors is often more enjoyable and brings additional overall benefits, both physically and mentally.

Getting outside for even a brief period should be a priority for all aging adults – it helps your cognitive skills, mood, energy, and awareness of your surroundings. It’s also wonderful to be in nature and explore. It lifts your spirit, distracts you from negative thoughts, and puts you in a happy state of mind! Sunlight is a great source of vitamin D, which boosts the immune system and improves brain health. Be cautious, though; older adults are prone to heat stress, so you need to be exceedingly careful with activities in the heat. Early morning, late afternoon, or early evening are great times to schedule your workouts and still enjoy the sun’s rays.

Seniors are at greater risk of dehydration, heat stroke and other dangerous conditions. To avoid turning a fun day outside into a medical emergency, be sure you recognize the most common warning signs of heat-related risk, such as:

  • Heat Cramps –painful cramps or spasms that can occur after intense workouts or sweating in the heat. Make sure you stay well hydrated and drink plenty of fluids containing electrolytes.
  • Heat exhaustion – this is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Drink cool fluids and dress for heat and humidity.
  • Heat stroke – the whole body becomes overwhelmed by heat and loses its ability to regulate temperature. Symptoms include dry, flushed skin, a rapid pulse, changes in behavior (such as becoming combative or confused), and a lack of sweating. Be sure to seek medical assistance immediately!

It’s important to be extra vigilant while active in warmer weather. Make sure you have plenty of water on hand and go quickly inside or find some shade if you start feeling dizzy. It can be hard to recognize the warning signs when you’re outside having fun – be sure to pay attention to the signals your body is trying to send you!

Healthy Tips for Summer Outdoor Workouts

  1. Increase your hydration levels. Drink before, during, and after exercise. Water is one of the best fluids to drink when engaged in activity. Sports drinks with electrolytes and nutrients help replenish vital minerals that you sweat out. You can also rehydrate by eating summer fruits that contain water, such as watermelon, strawberries, grapefruit, and peaches, just to name a few. Be sure to bring one of these healthy snacks with you the next time you work out outside.
  2. Wear comfortable activewear, clothes, and shoes that breathe.
  3. Always apply sunscreen and wear a hat if possible.
  4. Recognize when it is better to exercise indoors due to hot weather.
  5. Inform others of your plans and when you anticipate returning.
  6. Avoid slips, trips, and falls. Always wear appropriate shoes, stay alert, and take your walker with you (if you are using one).
  7. Get out early before it heats up or late in the day when it cools off.

Get ready, get set for the best summer yet!

About the Author

Leslie Sokol is the creator and founder of the adult dance and fitness program For the Young at Heart. She has been teaching adults and children for forty-five years. You can watch For the Young at Heart on Cox YurView, by visiting her YouTube Channel or on TVSB (times and channels can be found on her website). She also teaches in retirement communities throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

For more information, please contact Leslie at leslie@lesliesokolsdance.com, by calling 408.836.8559 or by visiting her website.