AS YOU AGE, ENJOY THE PROCESS. NO NEED FOR WORRY
Importantly, it’s not about looking young but about living a holistically healthy, content and happy life
Ageing is inevitable. Mark Twain had famously said, “Do not complain about growing old. It is a privilege denied to many.”
So also, staying healthy and living life to the fullest is important at any age, more so as we grow older. But how do you age gracefully? Well, that’s what we address here.
REINVENT | Reaching major landmark-ages of 60, 70, 80, and beyond, can be made very interesting while adapting to changes and exploring new things. Accept things you can’t change. Avoid stressing over what you cannot control. Face your limitations with dignity and a healthy dose of humour.
CONNECT | Make new friends, no matter what age. New connections enrich social life and younger friends bring fresh energy, which helps you see life from a different perspective.
So stay socially active and connected to your community and loved ones. Spend time with people you enjoy being around, those who make you feel upbeat — a neighbour you like to exercise with, a coffee break with another, your children or grandkids.
Get more active in volunteering for a chosen cause or participate in community events to find solutions to local problems — the experiences may enrich and expand your life. Community work can also be a great way of utilising and transferring on your skills career, without the commitment or stress of regular reporting.
BE GRATEFUL | Being grateful for life’s blessings makes living more precious. When we stop taking things for granted, we appreciate and enjoy what we have even more. When we think about what we appreciate, our body responds by increasing oxytocin, the feel-good hormone.
Gratitude has a lasting impact on health, boosting the immune system, improving sleep and combating negative emotions.
BE COMMUNICATIVE | Displaying emotions is not a sign of weakness. Though it could be difficult to express your emotions,
suppressing feelings can lead to anger, resentment and depression. So acknowledge and express your feelings and seek ways to practically channelize and process your feelings. Talking to someone close and trustworthy or writing in a journal has proved to be helpful.
FACE CHALLENGES HEAD ON | Challenges are opportunities for personal growth. Positive thought and actions help in dealing with challenges. Don’t ignore issues that trouble; instead, take things one small step at a time. Even a small step can go a long way in boosting your confidence and reminding you that you’re not powerless.
SEEK JOY IN SIMPLE THINGS | Make the choice to find joy in simple day-to-day activities — say the green trees outside your window or the fluttering of a butterfly. Take time to engage in meaningful, pleasurable and joyful activities. It’s all about how one perceives.
KEEP YOUR MIND SHARP | Keep the brain active while keeping your body agile. Enjoy your independence and take on hobbies — a long-neglected one or a new one — that help sharpen your mind. Besides being a great way to spend time, it’ll expand your social network while working your brain’s health and preventing mental decline.