COURSE

Mindful Ageing For Couples: Gentle Reflections And Simple Tools

People in long term relationships sometimes encounter new challenges as they grow older together. This course offers an introductory exploration of some of the issues that are common. It is presented by Drs Jan Russell and Graham Dexter, partners in both their professional and personal lives, utilising story, tools from evidence based psychology, and mindful practices. The style is conversational and interactive, and you will be invited to consider your own situations and explore means of supporting yourselves and each other on a journey of mindful ageing. You may want to journal some of your thoughts and actions, or you may simply want to listen, to initiate your own thought processes. In either case, the intention is for you to enjoy some gentle stimulation, learn and refresh some simple tools, and support yourselves more effectively.

Authenticity Connection Love Secular Mindfulness Open Awareness Happiness Health & Happiness Relationships Secular Mindfulness

Meet your Teacher

Jan Russell

Faro District, Portugal

Drs Graham Dexter and Jan Russell have worked together extensively over a period of thirty years, and are both respected teachers on Insight Timer. Graham's work on Getting to Know Yourself Better, and Droplets of Wisdom, draws on a lifetime's experience in nursing, counselling, teaching and coaching. Jan is author of the Crone series on Insight Timer, which comprises to date four courses on mindful ageing for women. She is also author of a series of courses drawing on Neuro Linguistics and Communication tools. This partnership has been recognised through joint publications and with Senior Visiting Fellowships in Coaching at a UK University. Their styles are complementary and accessible, and both are recognised as experts in their fields. This course is designed to offer share perspectives and experience, as they have in their training partnerships over many years.

4 Days

362 students

4.9 stars

11 min / day

Authenticity

English

Lesson 1

Our Changing Bodies

In this session led by Graham, you will hear some discussion and consideration of how the natural changes in our bodies can impact each person in a relationship, with consideration of what this might mean. Changes are a part of the ageing process, and they will typically involve some sense of deterioration in function. The intention of the session is to introduce what kinds of issues this raises, and some means to traverse through with positivity and support.

Lesson 2

The Dance Of Intimacy

Intimacy is seen as desirable and honourable in close relationships, acknowledging a unique bond that is special ad private. As we age, means of expressing intimacy are perhaps less available to us, as sexual function deteriorates and various bodily changes might bring mixed feelings or restrictions in physiological comfort. In this session, you will address ways to continue and create opportunities to remain intimate as closely as is right for you, and how to set up opportunities to retain the uniqueness of your particular relationship. We leave the session with some reflexive questions for you to ponder.

Lesson 3

Agreeing To Disagree: Creating Powerful Contracts With Each Other

In this session you will explore the concept of contracting with each other in a way which keeps commitment fresh and meaningful. You will hear some examples of what kind of things might be important to consider, and the session will end with a short meaningful guided practice to encourage you to create your own reviews of your relationship, identifying what is important to you, what you are grateful for, and what, if anything, you might ike to change

Lesson 4

Enabling Communication: Four Key Principles

In this final session, we look at four basic principles of effective communication. Whether through over familiarity, or through unexpected changes, it becomes more important than ever to communicate well, openly, honestly. The principles of good listening, of understanding, of taking responsibility for making ourselves known, for expressing gratitude enable us to co-author the ageing process. Enjoy.

4.9 (60)

Recent Reviews

Barbara

January 22, 2026

Great course. One that I will definitely repeat. Full of great reminders for growing your love even into the later years and after many years already together. Thanks to both of you for sharing this wisdom with us 🙏

Jackie

January 4, 2026

Thank you! I’ll share these ideas abd processes with my husband.

Suzanne

December 31, 2025

What a gift to listen to this wonderful short course.. thank you so very much! We will listen again❤️

Lorie

November 23, 2025

An excellent course! Thank you both for bringing this to us!

Shelley

November 19, 2025

This was very useful and reiterated a lot of my thoughts recently. I’m trying to be better at listening with understanding and nonjudgment. My partner believes I don’t listen well. So I’ve been stopping what I’m doing when he starts saying anything so that he has my full attention. I’m not sure he’s noticed the change yet. But he will.

May

September 25, 2025

Excellent course full of insights and inspiration.

Tom

July 24, 2025

Short, sweet, and on point. The course provides an outline that any person’s looking to form a partnership could benefit from.

Jean

July 16, 2025

Wonderful course…thank you❣️

Robin

June 29, 2025

Loved this simple program. It helps to hear that even both of you experience bumps and are able to work through them. Every day is a new chance to communicate more effectively. I’ve learned, also, that how I best recurrent communication is not always how my partner’s best receives it. We have always tried to communicate with each other in ways they prefer. It’s a learning process.

Sherry

December 4, 2024

Excellent course to make sure the lines of communication are open. We enjoyed listening together and discussing each session . I’m sure we will come back to it as well

Lillemor

November 5, 2024

Very nice topic

Renee

May 29, 2024

Great course! Thank you for continuing to share your wisdom (and now, your partner!) Dr Jan. There are some great tools I will definitely share with my hubby.

Mardene

May 23, 2024

Most helpful and thought provoking. Thank you

Greg

May 20, 2024

by Jan Russell

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