Getting Old Versus Aging Gracefully

Some people consider the words “getting old” as derogatory as if aging is something we should think of as an insult. Yet, not only are millions of people worldwide not aging gracefully, they never live long enough to grow old.

However, there is a difference between having a “getting old” mindset and aging gracefully. Aging gracefully means treating this season as you would your childhood, teen years, young adulthood, and middle age. It is another season where changes take place, and new opportunities arise. It is a time when we bring wisdom and rely on family and relationships for companionship.

Tips for getting old and aging gracefully

“Getting old” is a mindset that you believe you have no control over your life and that death is inevitable. Although death is the transition from this world as we know it and being with God, death can arrive for anyone and any time, no matter the age. Instead, embrace the years you have now. If you are still breathing, God is not done with you yet.

You can shift your mindset to aging gracefully by being prepared and tapping into the childhood/teen/young adult years. After all, you can bring a new perspective to those seasons.

Commit to caring for the body and mind.

To enjoy your senior years, you want to work on your physical and mental health as early as possible. However, even if you did not stay consistent with exercise and eating nutritious food, you can start now. You may want to request help from a dietician or nutritionist to help you choose meal plans, shop for food, and cook new recipes.

Your physician should give you clearance before you start any exercise regimen. However, even walking short distances as you build your endurance and stamina will improve your cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Weight training is also beneficial for the body if your doctor believes you can lift weights without hurting yourself. Ernestine Shepherd was 56 when she discovered how weightlifting could change her physique. Today, while in her eighties, she is still active.

Exercise also gives you confidence, improves balance and flexibility, and builds strength. Start slow. Try walking for just ten or fifteen minutes daily. You may want to ask for help from a personal trainer getting started if you plan to lift weights.

Play more.

When was the last time you played? Were you a young adult or a teen? Have you not played since you were a child? So often, we outgrow play, concentrate on adult responsibilities, and resign ourselves to watching others play sports on television.

However, if you have a grandchild, you may know what it feels like to engage in play. Spending an hour playing pretend or hide-and-seek might feel ridiculous, but it does your mind good. It also allows you to bond with a younger generation.

But what if you don’t have any children to play with? Then turn up some music and dance. The point isn’t to make yourself play and use your imagination but to remember that childlike wonder and spirit of adventure.

Learn new things.

When aging gracefully, you know that keeping your mind sharp can make the difference between struggling and thriving. Learning new things will create new neural pathways, improving cognitive functioning.

You can work your brain by playing games like word and number puzzles. You can play puzzle games online or on an app on your phone. Grocery and drug stores sell puzzle books you can solve in your spare time.

You can also challenge yourself to learn apps on the phone and new subject matter. For example, are you interested in making videos with your grandchild? How about a subject that has always interested you? Did you want to return to school but never had the time? You can take courses, earn a degree, or get a certification online from home.

You can also learn about other topics just for fun. For example, have you wanted to revisit your love for the piano? Were you always interested in the history of Ireland or learning a foreign language? Not only can you find courses and articles online, but you can stream videos on your schedule about almost any topic.

Now is not the time to stop learning. Instead, list everything you have wanted to tackle and challenge yourself to work on something. After a while, reassess your progress and decide if you will continue or advance in the subject.

Stay social.

Aging gracefully means getting outside of your comfort zone and seeking out companionship. Don’t sit at home, isolating yourself from everyone. We are social creatures that need people to give us a sense of belonging. Even if you consider yourself a loner, surely you can think of one or two people with whom you occasionally like to do things. If not, maybe now is the time to invite people.

For example, instead of fishing alone on the pier, ask the young man at church if he would like to go. Or, if you plan to go shopping and grab a coffee in the morning, you can invite the single mother whose children attend school during the day to go with you.

Public events, private groups, and volunteer opportunities are also fantastic ways to meet new people with the same interests as you. Step out and put your best foot forward.

Always be prepared.

The original Boy Scout motto was “Be Prepared,” which should be at the forefront of your mind regarding finances and making plans for the future. No one wants to think about what will happen with their possessions after they are gone, butnow is the time to write out your wishes for a funeral or memorial service, burial or cremation, and life insurance payouts.

But don’t stop there. You may want to hire a financial advisor to help you ensure you have enough money to last the rest of your life, especially if you are retired. Do you have retirement, Social Security, rental income, real estate, or passive income? Learn how to live within your means if you are on a fixed income.

Sleep well.

Not getting enough sleep can leave your mind foggy, your body tired, and your immune system compromised. Yet, as we age, it is harder to stay asleep through the night. We may wake up in the middle of the night and be unable to fall back to sleep.

You have several options to sleep better. Check with your physician to see if any of your current medications have insomnia as a side effect. If you have problems breathing, have your doctor order a sleep study to rule out sleep apnea. With sleep apnea, you temporarily stop breathing in your sleep. A sleep study may show that you stop breathing dozens of times an hour or that your oxygen levels drop below 80%. These symptoms can decrease your cognitive functioning.

Your physician may prescribe a sleeping pill to help regulate your sleep or suggest an over-the-counter supplement like melatonin. Adopting a nightly routine can also help trigger your mind that it is bedtime. For example, you could have a device-free evening by reading a book and drinking tea before bed. Figure out what routine works best for you to sleep at least seven hours a night.

Do you need advice for growing older successfully?

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:34, NIV

Does “getting old” scare you? Are you concerned about what the future holds? Give us a call today or complete the contact form to schedule an appointment with a counselor specializing in aging and geriatric issues. Your counselor can help you through the emotional and mental stressors of aging and advise you on where to turn for financial and elder law support. You are never alone.