The Truth About Sleep After 60: A Conversation with Wendy Green

I’m so pleased to share my recent appearance on the Boomer Banter podcast with Wendy Green. Wendy is a coach and podcast host who supports adults over 60 in embracing what’s next with purpose and optimism.

We had a lively and honest conversation about how sleep changes as we age, and what’s normal versus what deserves attention.

We covered:

  • The difference between your circadian rhythm and your chronotype (Lion, Bear, Wolf, or Dolphin).

  • Why your chronotype affects when you think best and when you sleep best.

  • How sleep naturally shifts after 60.

  • The difference between common age-related sleep changes and true insomnia.

  • Why the constant message to “get 7 hours” may actually increase anxiety about sleep rather than improve it.

Because this was recorded live, my dog Bella decided to offer her own thoughts at the end. (I clearly should have taken her to the neighbor’s.)

If your sleep isn’t what it used to be — or if you’re wondering whether what you’re experiencing is normal — I think you’ll find this conversation both reassuring and practical.

WATCH HERE

About Wendy Green

Wendy Green is a coach and host of the Boomer Banter podcast. Her work focuses on helping adults over 60 embrace what’s next with resilience, self-awareness, and a positive approach to aging.

Niksen: The December Reset You Need

December is here — a season of celebration, reflection, and let’s be honest… a lot of doing. Shopping, cooking, hosting, wrapping, emailing, card-writing, list-making, cleaning, traveling (sometimes all before noon!). No matter which holidays you celebrate, this time of year can feel like a marathon of motion.

So this week’s Smart Bite is an invitation to slow the spin. I’m sharing a Dutch wellness practice called niksen. Niksen literally means doing nothing. Not multitasking. Not optimizing. Not squeezing in “just one more thing.” Simply... nothing.

What Exactly Is Niksen?

Niksen is the deliberate practice of being without doing. Think of it as stepping out of the stream of productivity for a moment and letting yourself drift. Unlike mindfulness meditation, where you gently guide your attention, niksen has no goal, no technique, and no mental choreography. It's relaxed, aimless, unstructured time.

In other words, if meditation is a 10-minute guided audio, niksen is staring at a cloud shaped like a dinosaur and remembering nothing about the last five minutes.

What Niksen Isn’t

Niksen is not laziness, avoidance, or procrastination dressed up in a cozy sweater. It isn’t zoning out on your phone (that’s scrolling), finishing a podcast (that’s consuming), or practicing breathwork (that’s a technique).

It’s also not something you need to be “good” at, which is actually the point. Niksen resists achievement culture. You can’t ace it, optimize it, or track it on your smartwatch.

This is precisely what makes some people uncomfortable (and why it’s worth trying).

Why Doing Nothing Helps Us Do Better

Paradoxically, “doing nothing” is a quiet productivity tool. Research on mind-wandering suggests that unstructured mental drift supports creativity, problem-solving, stress recovery, and emotional regulation. Niksen gives the brain a breather, a kind of “pause between the push.”

Think of it as letting your mental snow globe settle. The ideas, clarity, and calm that rise afterward often surprise us.

How to Practice Niksen (a Few Fun Examples)

Niksen works best when it’s simple, unimportant, and delightfully ordinary. A few possibilities:

  • Stare out a window and watch the light change

  • Sit on the couch and let your mind roam wherever it wants

  • Lie on the floor for three minutes and look at the ceiling

  • Watch steam rise from your mug

  • Sit on a park bench with no headphones, no book, and no purpose

  • Pet the dog without trying to train the dog (Bella approves)

If it feels like “you’re not doing anything,” congratulations! You're succeeding.

A Holiday Permission Slip

As the season ramps up, give yourself permission to step away from the hustle. The Dutch don’t wait for vacations to recharge; they build tiny pockets of niksen into daily life. You can, too.

And maybe, just maybe, the most restorative gift you give yourself this December is a moment of absolutely nothing.

A Conversation with Dr. Sandi

I’m so pleased to share my recent appearance on the “Health Coach Talk” podcast, hosted by Dr. Sandi Scheinbaum. She is a highly respected authority and leader in functional medicine coaching. She has also been a guest on Wellness Wednesday!

We dove deep into why social connection is the vital missing element for long-term health and a longer life, and how my work is dedicated to fostering these essential communities.

5 Things Better Than A Cortisol Cocktail

As someone who studies and speaks about the science of stress and its impact on the body, I was a little appalled to read the recent buzz about “Cortisol Cocktails” as a stress reliever. Have you heard of them?

This trendy tonic, typically made with orange juice, salt, and cream of tartar, is being promoted on social media as a miracle cure for “adrenal fatigue” and hormone imbalances.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Health: Insights, Resources, and Real Stories

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a topic that’s especially close to my heart. I began researching Alzheimer’s in 2021 and have since published several papers, including qualitative studies about family caregivers. Their stories deeply moved me, and continue to shape the work I do today.

To support those of you caring for loved ones with dementia, I’m sharing a few trusted resources.