Ginny’s perspective is that every day is an adventure. It’s this attitude that keeps her living fully. This 5’6” 102-pound dynamo still cleans houses for a living and loves it; takes care of her husband of 42 years; stays engaged with friends and family; and actively serves her church community in Peoria, Illinois. For the most part, she feels great physically, though she does deal with arthritis pain and a recent hip surgery.
“I love cleaning houses,” Ginny says. “When I’m finished, I look over the results of my work like an artist looks at a painting and get such a good feeling of accomplishment. After everything I do, I love to say, ‘Tada!’ I always like to do my absolute best.”
Driving her positive energy is the “growth mindset” that educators tell us is so imperative in a learning environment. And for Ginny, life is a learning environment! So, when her curious, former educator “BFFE” (best friend for eternity) tells her about a natural health or wellness product she’s been researching, Ginny’s the one who says, “Let’s try it!”
This is how she fell in love with infrared saunaing, and ultimately came to own one.
Ginny first experienced an infrared sauna while on an “adventure” at a local salt cave company; a place her friend had suggested she and her husband try for its health benefits. Peoria Himalayan Salt Caves pairs infrared sauna services with their salt cave experience and the first time Ginny tried it, she loved it.
“I tried it out and I was like, ‘This is awesome!’”
She noticed the brand, went home, looked it up online, and began to chat with a Sunlighten sauna consultant. She loved all the health benefits of the mPulse collection and initially she didn’t think it was something the couple could afford but learning about the no-interest payment plan options made it possible. She chose the mPulse Aspire because she wanted the six health programs.
Ginny has used the sauna almost every day and they set it up in their master bath. It has become part of her everyday routine since she received it about 18 months ago. She starts each day in it using the pain relief setting for 30 minutes to help with her arthritis, then stacks it with a whirlpool session and she feels great and energized for her busy days.
“I no longer have to get out and go somewhere else in the middle of winter to feel better, my sauna is right here for me,” Ginny says. “It’s so wonderful. I just love it. Plus, it’s pretty and looks so nice.”
Shortly after she got her sauna, Ginny had a horrible fall that cracked the ball joint in her hip, and she went through hip replacement surgery and therapy. Though being in great shape, she says recovery was hard and having her sauna helped her recover faster.
“I looked so forward to getting in my sauna because it helped so much with the pain,” she says. “This is the best. I would recommend to anyone no matter what their age is.”
Recently, Ginny was exposed to COVID-19 and started using the detox setting as part of strengthening her immune system, and says she continues to feel well. She’s thankful for all the ways her sauna is a tool to help her manage and maintain her health.
She counts saunaing as a major part of her wellness routine, especially to start the day off strong. She also says she prioritizes movement but loves to accomplish things (like cleaning) more than exercising. And the TV is never on all day at Ginny’s house.
“I like to get my calories burned by accomplishing things. More than exercise, I just keep moving. When I clean houses, I look at my watch and track my steps.”
When she does do traditional exercise, she’s incorporating a variety. She works with a personal trainer, participates in Silver Sneakers, or walks on a treadmill. She also takes lots of supplements, eats healthy, and tries never to put anything with harmful chemicals on her skin.
In addition to cleaning and saunaing, Ginny also genuinely loves dancing. Not because she’s a trained ballet or jazz dancer. As a matter of fact, she says she has amazing rhythm but no coordination.
“When I say, ‘You gotta keep dancing,’ I mean it! At the end of every day, I turn on my favorite song and dance to my heart’s content, then drop into bed and get a good night’s sleep.”
She also means it as a life philosophy and mindset.
“I think you have to stay engaged with people, with life. If you don’t, then you kind of shrivel up. It’s everything to stay engaged and active. I focus on how I can be an encourager to others, how can I be of help to someone else.”
Resolve also plays a part in her attitude. “I am a person who has determination, I determined early on that I am not ever going to just give up. I love life and want to keep going.”
She believes getting old doesn’t mean you have to let all the things that can happen keep you from living fully.
“I think there’s no doubt that you can slow your aging process. I think a lot of it is attitude. You can determine, ‘Hey, I don’t have to be old.’ I want to stay active and I try to do only what’s good for my skin and my body. I’m not constantly thinking, ‘I want to look like I’m in my 30’s.’ I think I have something to offer even if it’s not youth.”
