By Dr. Dorree Lynn
From Grand Magazine 05/06 2012

Click the screen shot of Dr. Dorree’s article in Grand Magazine to Read it Online

Back in the dating scene and feeling a bit outnumbered and overwhelmed?  RELAX!  Step One: Breathe. Step Two: Don’t panic! This isn’t going to be as horrible of an experience as you think.  This is an exciting adventure!  You are about to learn new things about yourself as you start a new life and make new friends, and one of the best ways to start is to start becoming in things that interest you.  Don’t just go to some place that you think might have that dreamy person you’re looking for, go in search for someone who you can find someone with similar interests and build a friendship or relationship atop common ground.  Also, when you discover activities to do and interest that spark your passion, you will more likely have a good time, feel good about yourself, and become a more passionate lover when you find your next partner!

Here’s a list of possibilities to get you creative juices flowing:

• Groups and activities that make you feel accomplished, like art classes, book clubs, cooking classes, just-for-fun sports leagues. Craigslist is a great resource for community activities.
• YOGA! Joining a yoga class is not only great, low-impact exercise, yoga centers typically nurture unique bonds and friendships between people of all backgrounds and interests.
• Volunteer!  Community centers, hospitals and nonprofit organizations are always in need of good help and they offer you a chance to get out in the world where you can meet and mingle with new people.
• Scour the local newspapers, online forums and sites, and community ‘zines looking for something to do.  Typically you can find fun, inexpensive events that are great to bring a wingman or a sidekick along.
• Follow your real interests.  If you’re a jogger, join a jogging group.  If you enjoy museums, then go to museums.  There are groups for almost every interest in most cities!
• Go anywhere that has a sense of community, including local churches and temples (even if you are not religious and not a member).
• Don’t limit yourself to singles groups.  Married people often have single friends!  Network wherever you happen to be.
• With all of the advances in social technology, perhaps there’s a blast from the past with a history the two of you can rekindle.  Go surfing online for the next great catch!

But the best way to find a new partner is to tell the people who know you best that you are in the market.  Assure your old buddies and new friends that their task is solely to introduce you to potential dates, and then reassure them that you won’t hold them responsible for the outcome.  This is not the time to be shy or too proud.  Keeping your desires a secret stops other people from helping you.  Do you really want to sit at home alone and have sex with yourself for the rest of your life?

*((Links))*

http://www.meetup.com

http://craigslist.org

Link: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20120506_v3/#/36

By Amy Trent
From The News & Advance 04.13.12

Producing a bowl of brightly colored condoms from her small stash of props, Doree Lynn got right down to business.

“Sex is your birthright; it keeps you healthy,” said Lynn, a Georgetown-based clinical psychologist and “sexpert” who specializes on an issue she said is too overlooked — sex in later life.

Lynn made a special trip to Lynchburg on Friday to meet with Lynchburg College students and seniors at the Templeton Senior Center for “Sex After Sixty,” where she touched on everything from safe sex and sexual aids to the importance of communication and the power of human touch.

“Sex drive hormones do tend to fade with age, but our core sexuality never goes away,” she said.

Lynn, the author of three books and founder of Fiftyandfurthermore.com, calls this generation of seniors “pioneers.”

The average life expectancy has risen from 50 to almost 80 over the decades, and today’s seniors are finding the answers to questions that never before existed, like how to deal with erectile dysfunction medications that can throw couples’ sex drives out of sync and how to practice safe sex while living in a long-term care facilities.

On the flip side, Lynn said it’s time for adults, health care providers and physicians to learn how to talk to older adults about sex because society needs to acknowledge the elderly are sexually active.

“Living a longer and more active life includes sex,” Lynn said.

“I believe that 50 and 60 can be a whole lot sexier than 18. We can understand ourselves better.”

The secret to keeping sex exciting as an older adult, she said, is to exercise and use our brains. What we think, feel and expect helps determine what is sexy, and exercise keeps our brains going strong.

“While sex may involve intercourse, it can be so much more,” Lynn said. “Sex includes all sexual arousal.”

She encourages clients to use sexual aids by telling them to view them same way they see a hearing aid, glasses or cane.

“More touch makes you feel alive, and many older people don’t get enough touch to sustain their good health,” she said.

She hopes by talking openly about sex in later life she can not only empower older adults but help keep them healthy.

Bashful seniors combined with shy doctors can lead to misdiagnoses and, she worries, a continued increase in sexually transmitted diseases.

Statistics show an increasing number of seniors in nursing homes have begun to contract STDs, which is why Lynn advocates heavily for condoms at “any age, any stage.”

Link: http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2012/apr/13/sexpert-tackles-sex-after-sixty-senior-center-ar-1841341/

By Dr. Dorree Lynn
From The Georgetowner 04.04.12

Link: http://www.georgetowner.com/issues/2012/04/04/

By Dr. Dorree Lynn
From The Georgetowner 03.07.12

Link: http://issuu.com/gmginc/docs/gt_30711

By Dr. Dorree Lynn
From Grand Magazine 03/04 2012

Click the screen shot of Dr. Dorree’s article in Grand Magazine to Read it Online

I have always had a penchant for adventure. There was a time in the 70’s and 80’s where you could have found me along with my two adopted Indian daughters traveling across countries in Europe and outposts of Asia where many white women would have feared to tread. But we went, we adventured, and we survived. It’s safe to say that I have sailed, hiked, trained, planed, and automobiled my way across most of this great planet, yet the thought of moving from the busy city of Washington, DC to the casual beaches of Florida nearly paralyzed me. I’m a New Yorker by birth! City streets, noisy people, cars honking and screeching are all comforting sounds to me. In my world, the bucolic life has always been for vacation, not every day living.

I have, however, made progress. After building a network of professional contacts and progressing on the development of a radio show, making new friends and trying new opportunities, I find myself beginning to accept, even embrace this adventure rather than fight it. Assisting me in changing my attitude about this major life adventure has come, surprisingly enough, in the slow and twang-twisted stories of one of my assistants.

“Life isn’t just one fabulous adventure, Dr. Lynn, it is a series of fabulous adventures!” he REMINDS me as I prepare to depart for another flight back to Florida to be with my husband and my new life. My assistant goes on to tell me about his former boss, a motivational speaker. “I’ve never seen someone with such talent for changing it up. I’ve seen him talk his way into jobs and opportunities simply because he wanted to, or because he was bored. From motivational speaking to art auctioneer, then cruise director, real estate executive, and according to our last phone call, he’s some sort of surgical technician. The adventure is out there, you’ve just got to be willing to chase after it.”

Sigh. He’s full of youthful advice that circles round to remind me of so much that I have already forgotten. It is odd though, absorbing what I already know but needed reminding about, from someone younger than my own children. While he is too young to understand what it takes to uproot an entire life, he is, of course, correct, so I venture on.

It’s funny how various stages in life can change one’s attitude. Many of us have always said, “If I weren’t doing this,” or “If I weren’t with this person,” or “If I didn’t have this job,” or “If I just had more time…” Wake up! Your destiny is what you make it, and no, there’s not an app for that!

Balancing the needs of your own life adventure with the needs of relationships can be tricky, but a little adventure can ensure the sparks will continue to fly. Celebrate your commitment to each other by embarking on an adventure together. Day trips to nearby destinations and weekends at romantic bed and breakfasts are ways my husband and I like to spice up our extracurricular activities. Think of ways you and your partner could share some excitement together.

It’s important to stop and smell the roses, but you don’t want to get stuck in a rut. Like flowers, we are designed to experience happiness in bloom and solace in winter, but one must remember to bloom with every season, even if the colors of your petals are different with every spring. As for me, when I can no longer move and have to spend my days in a rocking chair, I will have some wonderful tales to tell!

Link: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20120304_v3/index.php?startid=38

By Dr Dorree Lynn
From Grownups.co.nz

I’m so happy to be a part of Grownups.co.nz in New Zealand! I fell in love with New Zealand when I was there a number of years ago and your country holds a special place in my heart. I had planned to visit New Zealand for three weeks, but was lured to stay six on both the North and South Islands. From Auckland, to the Milford Trail, Christchurch, Whitianga, to beaches and gliders, NZ has the freshest bass and best cream in the world (it is one of the few countries where I’ve ever gained weight).

Judging by the emails and web hits, New Zealanders seem to be pretty hip to healthy sexual relationships. Together with the team of experts at GrownUps, we’ve put together a sexy survey to learn all about your pleasures, preferences, kinks and curiosities. Once we receive enough input, we will tally the answers and publish it on the site, revealing your collective sexual proclivities anonymously for the world to see and possibly learn from.

Start the Survey here*

I can’t wait to hear from you and share your responses, and I wish that each and every one of you have the most fabulous Valentine’s Day you could ever hope for!

With love and respect,
-Dr. Dorree Lynn

*Please note that the Sex Survey contains personal and explicit questions regarding sexual activity. You may skip questions in the survey that you do not feel comfortable answering. All individual answers and personal details will be kept confidential, only general statistics based on all participant’s responses will be published.
Published 10th Feb 2012

Link: http://www.grownups.co.nz/read/health/sexual_health/edi-dr-dorree-sex-survey

By Dr. Dorree Lynn
From The Georgetowner 02.08.12

Link: http://issuu.com/gmginc/docs/gt_2_08_12/24

By Barbara Salter
From Forever Young Magazine 02.01.12

Dr. Dorree Lynn is a clinical psychologist and media expert for the American Psychological Association and AARP.. She is also a bestselling author of three books, including “Sex for Grownups: Dr. Dorree Reveals the Truth, Lies and Must-Tries for Great Sex after 50″ and founder of FiftyandFurthermore.com, a popular website that celebrates growing older as a time for creative and passionate living.

In addition to FiftyandFurthermore.com, Dr. Lynn writes for many other respected websites and publications, including VibrantNation.com and YourTango.com, and has her own column, “Between the Sheets,” in Washington, D.C.’s popular newspaper, “The Georgetowner.”

At the age of 70, Dr. Lynn is nationally known for her sage wisdom, often delivered with wicked wit.  She is currently in the process of moving her home base from Washington, D.C., to Jacksonville.

Dr. Lynn took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions about romance, sex and relationships exclusively for the Hometown News.

Q: What’s the best way to keep romance alive in a long-term relationship?

A: Communication, communication, communication! When communication stops, sexuality stops, and vice versa. The biggest mistake that people make is that they give their best at the office and give leftovers at home. Put your relationship and your family before your occupation. Remember, it’s the little things that count. Men, wash the dishes every now and then. Women, let him watch the football game without interruption from time to time. Compromise equals connection!

Q: Is sex still important to a marriage when the couple is older?

A: Yes! Sex is a pleasurable way to bond with your significant other; that’s the easy part to understand. But sex also flushes built-up toxins and fluids from the body. We, as humans, were designed to have sex all the way into our old age, which is evident in that our sex drive is one of the last things to go when we age. Studies show that people who continue having a good sex-life are healthier and live longer. However, remember that sex is more than penetration; touch becomes ever more important with age.

Q: What if one party in a marriage/relationship is no longer interested in sex and the other is? Can the relationship be saved?

A: It depends. The real question here is, “Why is there a lack of interest?” Is it due to repressed anger, health issues, lack of communication? The biggest confusion is whether the lack of sexual interest is physiological or emotional. One of the biggest mistakes is not starting out with a good physical to determine if your hormones are working or not. Or is it simply that the couple has nothing to say to each other anymore? The end of a sexual relationship does not necessarily mean the end of a marriage; couples can make all kinds of compromises. Open communication is the key to bridging the gaps between changes in interests and lifestyle. Sharing interests and common goals can develop into a friendship worthy of a marriage.

Q: What about single people over 50 who don’t have a romantic or sexual relationship? Can they be happy?

A: of course they can be happy; however, they are not going to be very happy if they are couch potatoes and their best friend is the TV remote or a video game controller. People need community, hobbies, interests, work life, friends, family—any and all of the above. But more than that, people need a reason to get up in the morning. It all depends on attitude. Studies have proven that people in relationships live longer, whether it is a sexual relationship or a strong friendship. Statistics show that single women tend to do better than single men because they have friendships and they communicate more frequently. But in the end, happiness is all attitude and you have to actively choose to have a positive attitude.

Q: How do the changes in our bodies (as we age) impact our ability to enjoy an active sex life?

A: Our brain is our biggest sex organ. If we’re heavy, we tend to get heavier. If we’re thin, we tend to get knobbier and bonier. We have to accept that we don’t look the same as we did when we ere in our 20s, and neither do our partners. Again, it’s an issue of attitude. The exception being serious illness, which elicits people to be more creative in the bedroom. Arthritic elbows and sore hips may prevent you from using the standard missionary position, so you need to get creative with how you have sex. And don’t forget the joys of toys. As we age, we use canes, eyeglasses, hearing aids, so why not use vibrators and lubricants and other toys? Sexuality only stops when your creativity stops.

Q: Is Viagra or other performance enhancing drugs the magic bullet for people over the age of 50?

A: According to a Harvard Study, 40 percent of men who try Viagra stop using it. Also, Viagra is contraindicated with multiple other medications and can potentially kill you depending on what other medications you are on. However, if a sexual enhancing drug helps, use it! Sometimes it takes experimenting with more than one pill, as there are several options on the market (Levitra, Cialis, etc.). Furthermore, choosing to use an erection pill may not be the solution to the problem in the first place. What happens in the bed starts in your head, and often times it is performance anxiety that is the culprit.

Q: How do you suggest that singles over the age of 50 find romance? Sex?

A: Anyone can find sex at any time. That’s the easy part. Finding romance or someone you can feel intimate with can require more effort. I happen to be a proponent of using the Internet wisely; weeding out the crazies and inappropriates via e-mails and phone calls is a necessity. Prince or Princess Charming is not going to come knocking at your door; you’ve got to get out of the house. Do not be ashamed to tell anybody and everybody you know that you’re interested in dating. Even (your friends who are) married couples have friends, and they should know you well enough to judge your taste in a partner. Churches, synagogues and other religious institutions provide activities for singles to meet and greet, so use them. Also, follow your interests. Join groups or clubs that are focused on the things you find interesting. You may or may not meet Mr. or Mrs. Right, but you certainly will have a good time!

Link: http://issuu.com/hometownnews/docs/volusia-fy-feb2012-fyx/7?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222

By Dr. Dorree Lynn
From Be Fabulous Magazine 01/03 2012

Did you know that your imagination is the last thing to go before you die?  It’s true.  Just ask any nursing home employee and they’ll spill with funny stories of people with wild thoughts.

Imagination never dies.  We may have a few aches and pains, worry about forgetting things, and find ourselves needing more rest than recreation, but our ability to create and to imagine never fades.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re 49 or 94, it’s okay to be a little loopy.  Modern culture already characterizes aging as “the older you become, the more strange you get,” and there are plenty of ageless individuals out there with great senses of humor.  And at our age, what reason do we have for not embracing this “get out of jail free card” and having a little fun from time to time.

I’m not suggesting that you execute your right as an older person to have lapses in memory, and at a family dinner one night, begin speaking to a bowl of vegetables as if it were talking back at you—just to laugh at the family’s reaction before claiming confidently that you were just “keeping their wits as strong as yours.”  Having a funky and off-beat sense of humor towards aging is, in some cases, funny, but that’s not what I mean.

My message is simple: Embrace yourself for who you are.  Yes, you’re older.  Yes, you’re body has changed.  Yes, your mind has changed.  YOU HAVE EVOLVED.  Embrace that evolution.  Use what talents you have and enjoy each day for what it is, an opportunity to experience, to do, to share, to create, to live.

As ageless sages, we are up against two major obstacles: we’re living longer than previous generations, and everyone is clueless with what to do with us.  Yet, there is hope.  Because of the growing number of people over 50, our generation has become a target for new products and services.  Designer walkers, fancy electric wheelchairs, seniors’ cruises, and all the dance/yoga/painting/pottery classes you can imagine.

There was even a documentary made about a chorus of senior citizens from Massachusetts who cover songs by Jimi Hendrix, Coldplay, Sonic Youth, and other unexpected musicians.  “Young at Heart” not only proved that we are still capable of standing and singing on stage for long periods of time, but that we’re good at it!

Too many of us spend our entire lives sacrificing the things we enjoy for the things we need, creating more “I’ll get to it somedays” until we have more somedays than Mondays left to enjoy these things that we once held so dear. Now is your chance to do all the loopy things you never did.  So pick up a paintbrush and create something silly or spectacular.  Get on the dance-floor and cut a rug or jitterbug or just throw your hands in the air and wiggle as hard as your body will let you.  Whether you die tomorrow or you live another 50 years, give me one good reason why you shouldn’t go out in style!

Dr. Dorree Lynn, PhD, is a practicing psychologist and life coach with more than 40 years of experience. She is the founder of the website FiftyAndFurthermore.com, and is AARP’s Media “Sexpert” with her own segment, “On the Couch” on AARP TV.  Dr. Dorree’s latest book is Sex for Grownups: Dr. Dorree Reveals the Truths, Lies, and Must-Tries for Great Sex After 50. Facebook.com/DrDorreeLynn  Twitter.com/DrDorree

Link: http://issuu.com/diannabowes/docs/be_fabulous_feb-mar12/25?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222

By Dr. Dorree Lynn
From The Georgetowner 01.11.12

Link: http://issuu.com/gmginc/docs/1_11_12/24