subject: Are We Living In Glass Houses? [print this page] More Americans are working in 2012 than in 1972 - 64% versus 60%. In the following job breakdown the first percentage of workers is for 2012 and the second is for 1972. Government 16.6%-18.3%, wholesale/retail 15.3%-15.7%, education/health 15.2%-6.6%, professional/business 13.4%-7.4%, leisure/hospitality 10.2%-6.9%, manufacturing 9%-23.9%, finance 5.8%-5.3%, construction 4.2%-5.4%, other services 4%-2.6%, transport/utilities 3.4%-4.4%, media/telecommunications 2%-2.8%, mining/logging .6%-.9%. Jobs in government and wholesale/retail have held steady. Those categories were 2 of the top 3 in both 2012 and 1972. However, manufacturing jobs have decreased considerably and service jobs have increased. Either we are now doers instead of makers or ... we are "making do".
Ambition affects longevity. For more than 70 years a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology followed approximately 1,500 California children who'd scored high on intelligence tests. The study looked at things such as physical and emotional development; educational, vocational and marital histories; careers; and personal adjustment. After 60 years those in the top 10% on ambition were divided into 2 groups - those who'd attained their life goals and those who hadn't. The death rates were 31.7% and 46.7% respectively. However, the death rate for those with the least ambition was 30%. Obviously, trying harder can be very "trying".
Women having memory lapses may be able to blame menopause. A study published in the journal Menopause analyzed the memory processes of 75 middle-aged women who were transitioning into menopause. Sixty-six percent complained about memory lapses. They had trouble taking in new information and manipulating it - remembering what kind of soup a recipe calls for and how many ounces are in 3 cups. Attention was also a problem. Instead of forgetting an appointment, they didn't focus enough attention to register the appointment in their mind. Supposedly, memory difficulties return to their previous levels after menopause - when women's "hor-moans" stop fluctuating.
People over age 65 who have a firm handshake had a 42% lower risk of stroke. That's according to a study presented to the American Academy of Neurology. Supposedly, a weak handshake can be a sign of poor vascular health - including in the brain. The same study found people who walked briskly had a much lower risk of dementia. In fact, middle-aged slow walkers were 1.5 times likelier to develop dementia. Walking tests general frailty; and having to look where you're going and plan ahead can measure brain function. It seems our "body language" talks about our health.
