Mountain Views News Saturday, March 21, 2026 1010 Mountain Views News Saturday, March 21, 2026 1010 
SPRINGTIME IS HERE 

As winter fades and warmer days arrive, 
spring offers a refreshing opportunity for 
seniors to reconnect with the outdoors, improve 
their health, and embrace a renewed 
sense of energy. 

The season’s longer daylight hours and mild 
temperatures create ideal conditions for safe 
and enjoyable activities that support both 
physical and mental well-being. 

For many older adults, spring is the perfect 
time to reestablish routines that may have 
slowed during colder months. 


Simple activities like walking in the neighborhood, garden-ing, or spending time at a local park can 
help improve mobility, balance, and cardiovascular health. Even light exposure to sunlight boosts 
vitamin D levels, which plays a key role in bone strength and immune function. 

Beyond physical benefits, spring can also have a powerful impact on emotional health. The vibrant 
colors, fresh air, and natural beauty of the season are known to elevate mood and reduce feelings of 
isolation or depression. Seniors who engage in outdoor social activities—such as community events, 
group walks, or family gatherings—often experience a stronger sense of connection and purpose. 

However, it’s important for seniors to take a few precautions. Staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, 
and avoiding peak midday heat can prevent common seasonal risks. Those with allergies should also 
be mindful of pollen levels and consult with healthcare providers if symptoms arise. 

Spring is more than just a change in weather—it’s a chance for renewal. For seniors, em-bracing the 
season can lead to improved health, increased independence, and a higher quality of life. With a little 
planning and awareness, the joys of spring can be both safe and deeply rewarding. 

WHAT CAUSES DIZZINESS AND HOW TO FIX IT 

Dear Savvy Senior,
What can cause dizziness in older adults? I 
have dizzy spells from time to time but I’m 
not sure what causes it or what I should do 
about it. --Dizzy Donna 

Dear Donna, 

Whether it’s a moment of lightheadedness 
or the room-whirling sensation of vertigo, 
dizziness can be very unsettling. As many as 30 percent of people older than 60 experience dizziness 
at some point, about 50 percent after age 85. 


This unpleasant sensation only rarely signifies a serious medical condition. But it can knock you off 
balance, leading to falls and injuries. That’s why anytime you feel dizzy, you should lower yourself to 
a safe, seated position. Here’s a brief rundown of what typically causes dizziness and what you can 
do to fix it. 

What Causes Dizziness 

One of the most common causes of dizziness and vertigo in older adults is benign paroxysmal positional 
vertigo (BPPV). This occurs when tiny crystals in the inner ear, which play a role in balance, 
become dislodged. BPPV is more likely as we get older because wear and tear can cause the crystals 
to shift out of place. 

The resulting dizziness is generally triggered by changes in head position. People with BPPV often 
complain that the room spins when they roll over in bed, get into or out of bed, tip their head back,
bend over, or make other quick head movements. These episodes usually last only a minute or two, 
but they may happen intermittently over a period of time. 

A drop in blood pressure may also cause dizziness, even fainting, especially when changing position 
from sitting or lying down to standing. This so-called postural hypotension is often the result of 
problems with blood pressure medication. 

If this is something that occurs on a regular basis, you need to be evaluated by your doctor. Certain 
sedatives, antidepressants, cough and cold medicines, and antibiotics can lead to dizziness, too. 

Dehydration may be another culprit in postural hypotension. Staying hydrated is extremely important 
for balance, blood pressure, and general well-being. Declines in vision and hearing (including 
ear infections and impacted earwax) may also affect your balance. 

When to Call a Doctor 

Occasional dizziness that lasts only for a few seconds is probably no cause for worry, but you should 
still let your doctor know. If it persists for several minutes or more or keeps happening, call your 
doctor right away. 

Sudden dizziness or loss of balance, along with facial drooping, trouble speaking, nausea, and vision 
or hearing disturbances can signal a stroke. If this happens call 911. 

Treatment for Dizziness 

If your doctor thinks you have BPPV, they can teach you the Epley maneuver, where you turn your 
head and body in ways that move ear crystals back into place. 

For medication related dizziness, your doctor can change your medication or dosage to reduce the 
side effects. 

For persistent problems, your doctor can check for infections, balance disorders, and more serious 
issues, such as tumors, congestive heart failure, an irregular heart rhythm, and conditions like Parkinson’s 
disease. 

If none are found, your doctor may recommend vestibular rehab, which may help with dizziness, 
vertigo, and balance problems. Anxiety and depression can also cause dizziness in some people. 
Treating this may ease your lightheadedness. 

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443,
Norman, OK 73070. 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …MARCH BIRTHDAYS* 

Cathy Flammer, Clare Marquardt, Karen Blachly, Carla Duplex, Ella 
Guttman, Viky Tchatlian, Mary Cooper, Sun Liu, Helen Wallis, NancyFox, Martha Cassara, Rita Johnson, Sharon Murphy, Heather Sheets,
Mercedes Campos, Dorothy Webster,Terri Elder, Carol Cerrina, AmyPutnam 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 
626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required 
OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

Just One More NAP! 

Bouncing back from weeks of being sick is not as easy as it used 
to be when I was younger. I guess that's the cost of getting old.
Over the last six weeks, I've had this bug thingamajig going 
around. I had it for two weeks, and then it gradually went away. 

Then, it came back to me for another two weeks, just as painful as before. A couple 
of weeks later, it gradually went away. 

Then, for the third time, this bug thingamajig hit me again. 

What is it about me that is so attractive to them? If I knew what that was, I would 
get rid of it today. 

The only bug I like is The Love Bug, and in August of this year, I will celebrate 55 
years of that bug. I sure don't want that to go away. 

During this bug time, I spent a lot of time napping. I was so exhausted when I got 
up in the morning that I had to take a nap right after breakfast. There is just no way 
to hide this from The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
. 
"What," she asked me one afternoon, "are you taking another nap?"
I could have lied to her at that time, but I was actually taking a nap. Why I was taking 
a nap is a difficult question for which I have no answer for. I need to take this 
nap. I can take some medication for the bug thingamajig, but I really need to take 
a nap. That seems to be my best medication. 

Getting over this has been a rather difficult thing for me. I don't know why I want 
to take a nap every couple of hours. 

Right after lunch the other day, I was going to work on taproject I had started a 
couple of days ago. But as I sat in my easy chair drinking some hot coffee, I said to 
myself, "Just one more nap and I'll be ready to go." 

Have you ever had a time when you believed exactly what you said? Good luck on 
that one. 

This week The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I had to go to the doctor's 
for a checkup on this bug thingamajig. 

After meeting with the doctor and getting new prescriptions for my medication, 
we headed back home. As we got in the door, I said to The Gracious Mistress of the 
Parsonage, "I got some work I want to do but I think I need to take a nap before I 
get back to my office." 

I need to sit down with my body and have a very serious conversation about all 
this napping that I've been doing. Is there something else I can do instead of taking 
a nap? 

After a long chat with my body, I got no response. My body was napping at the 
time. The word nap means, Not Always Present. That's what it seems like to me.
Whatever has come of this bug thingamajig, I have reached perfection in napping. 
Never in my life have I been able to nap quite as perfectly as I have lately. 

All I have to do is sit back in my easy chair, close my eyes for a moment, and instantly 
I am in Lala land. I was convinced that everything in life was as easy as taking 
a nap. I can't im-agine all the stuff I could accomplish if things were that easy.
Right after getting awake from my nap, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
came and said, "So, how was your nap? Are you now ready to do something?"
I looked at her through dazed eyes and said, "Just one more nap." 

That has been my motto for the last several months. Why can’t I have some bug 
thingamajig that gives me energy instead of a nap? 

I reached the last stage of this bug thingamajig, and I'm hoping to get as far awayfrom it as possible. I'm hoping my day isn't filled with naps. After all, what can you 
accomplish while taking a nap? 

The strange thing is that after napping all day, I can go to bed at night and sleep 
through the night without waking up. How in the world does that happen? 

When I watched television the other day, I saw a commercial on sleep deprivation, 
and they were trying to sell some medicine to help you sleep at night. The only 
medicine I had to help me sleep at night was taking naps all through the day. I wish 
I could patent my napping and sell it on TV. I could make a lot of money on that.
I'm looking forward to the time when I slowly get out of this napping stage and get 
back to my normal life. Of course, I don't know what normal is with me. But I want 
the chance to find out really what it is. 

I thought of some scripture in this area. 

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye 
shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 
11:28-30). 

I’m going to focus on God’s rest each day and allow Him to get the glory. 

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. 
Tele-phone 1-352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com, website www.
jamessnyderministries.com. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com