There’s an age-old adage about old age; “Youth is wasted on the young”. High energy youth don’t have the experiences and wisdom necessary to channel their energy into something productive, and as we age and gain the knowledge we need, we’ve lost the ability to muster up the effort needed to create change. This is a false dichotomy; while aging will mean changes to our bodies and minds, with proper self-care and self-love the negative effects of aging can be mitigated to a powerful degree.
First, you have to take care of your body; that means all the physical care you can muster. Rule one is getting enough sleep; it can be hard, especially on a working schedule, to get 8 hours a day, but it’s well worth the effort. Eating well has to be another priority; fruits, vegetables, protein and grains every day. Avoid overly processed foods, don’t eat out too often, and take your doctor’s advice on dietary changes, especially if you have high blood pressure or diabetes. Exercise every day; walk, swim, do yoga, lift weights; whatever you can do, you should. One great option for keeping fit is to take the stairs whenever the option presents itself; if you have mobility issues, talk to a physiotherapist about the types of exercise you can do!
Your body is, of course, only part of the equation; an important one, since it will be the thing that sets your energy levels more than anything else. The next step is cultivating good mental habits, to keep your mind as sharp as possible. The best thing you can do for your brain is to enjoy the company of friends and family as often as possible; social interaction keeps the mind sharper than almost anything else, and it feels great. Engage in some brain-teasing activities; you hear a lot about crossword puzzles and reading and brain-games, and these are all great. Modern board games are incredible, and will test your skills in strategic planning, resource management; math, logic, deception, language and more are all put to task by most modern board games.
The third set of rules to keep in mind have to do with autonomy and security. Try to maintain your household in a way that’s great for you; if you know you have mobility issues or fragile bones, having a well-lit house clear of obstacles is key. If cleaning is difficult, a recognized home care service can help you keep the place clean. Take charge of your medication; if something doesn’t feel right or doesn’t suit your needs, talk with your doctor and your family about what is and isn’t working.
Love yourself. Everybody gets older; hopefully, we all get a little wiser, too. Be mindful, and live in the present moment; if you find yourself getting stressed, take a moment, find your breath, and ask yourself what is stressing you out. If it’s out of your control, remind yourself that you can only control certain things; schedule where you can, be easy with yourself, laugh often, and surround yourself with the people you love.
