Do you get those news briefs as part of your search engine's home page? An article on health popped up on my page that claims people in sunny, tropical climates like San Diego and Hawaii have less depression than folks in cold overcast climates.
The article goes on to say that senior citizens have less anxiety and stress, even in this poor economy, than younger people.
Finally, the article also states that having more money doesn't necessarily make people happier, unless they use it to help others or have new experiences, as opposed to accumulating more things.
Taken together, these factors sound like a recipe for home exchange to me. I'm picturing tanned, mellow retirees deciding to spend the holidays helping their adult children, who are new parents to their own kids, in a large Northeastern city. Our happy seniors swap their coastal California condo for a sophisticated Penthouse apartment owned by over-worked 40-somethings.
The proud new grandparents enjoy window shopping as they promenade to the neighborhood cafe with the twins bundled up in a double stroller. The new parents get some much needed sleep. In the evening our elders are able to give the new family some space when they take a quick taxi ride to the deluxe home exchange apartment in the sky. A hotel right on their daughter's block charges $300 per night for a room the size of the swap apartment's spa-style bathroom. Even though the grandparents are on a fixed income they won't face a bulging lodging bill when it's time to go home.
Out west, by the ocean, the city-dwellers are unwinding on the deck with a glass of California wine. Instead of running from meeting to meeting they spend most of their time just watching the waves rush in to the shore.
Thanks to home exchange everyone's level of happiness has increased significantly.
* Our professional couple take up meditation at the local yoga center and bring home some inner peace.
* Being there to welcome their grandchildren is a highlight of our seniors' lives.
* Surprised at how labor-intensive it is to have two new lives in their care, the new parents experience the grandparents' visit as a vital respite.
* The twins have two more loving faces to study.
Home exchange is not guaranteed to cure your depression. But it couldn't hurt. Give it a try.
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