This month is Healthy Aging Month
This focus on healthy aging started over 20 years ago as the baby boomers began to turn 50 and it became evident that getting old had a bad reputation. The ornery, bent over, lap blanket, picture of anyone over 50 needed to be changed. Everyone’s attitude toward getting old needed to be updated. I’ve had the patch below hanging in my office for a long time.
I’ve always looked at it as a testament to a great plane, one that I happen to have over 2,000 hours in as an Air Force bombardier, but it’s also an indication of the understood distrust most people had in people over 50. It was this type of attitude that needed to be changed. President Reagan’s age, he was 69, became quite a discussion item during his campaign for President. The average age of the two candidates running for President right now is 75.5. Hopefully, America’s attitude about age is becoming more positive but the most important attitude about getting older is our own. Healthy aging is much more than our physical health, it’s how we look at each day when we rise in the morning and how we evaluate our day as we go to sleep at night.
I always enjoy getting tips about how to play better golf and I found these great 10 tips on the healthy aging website. I liked the straightforward way they presented the 10 ways we can change to live a more positive, healthy life. So, here are 10 tips for reinventing yourself:
1. Do Not Act Your Age
Do not act your age or at least what you think your current age should act like. What was your best year so far? 28? 40? Now? Picture yourself at that age and be it. Some people may say this is denial, but we say it’s positive thinking and goes a long way toward feeling better about yourself. (Tip: Don’t keep looking in the mirror, just FEEL IT!)
2. Be Positive
Be positive in your conversations and your actions every day. When you catch yourself complaining, check yourself right there and change the conversation to something positive. (Tip: Stop watching the police reports on the local news).
3. Ditch the Negativity
Have negative friends who complain all of the time and constantly talk about how awful everything is? Drop them. As cruel as that may sound, distance yourself from people who do not have a positive outlook on life. They will only depress you and stop you from moving forward. Surround yourself with energetic, happy, positive people of all ages and you will be happier too. (Tip: Smile often. It’s contagious and wards off naysayers.)
4. Walk Tall
Walk like a vibrant, healthy person. Come on. You can probably do it. Analyze your gait. Do you walk slowly because you have just become lazy or, perhaps, have a fear of falling? (Tip: Make a conscious effort to take big strides, walk with your heel first, and wear comfortable shoes.)
5. Stand Tall
Stand up straight! You can knock off the appearance of a few extra years with this trick your mother kept trying to tell you. Look at yourself in the mirror. Are you holding your stomach in, have your shoulders back, chin up? Check out how much better your neck looks! Fix your stance and practice it every day, all day until it is natural. You will look great and feel better. (Tip: Your waistline will look trimmer if you follow this advice.)
6. How Are Your Pearly Whites?
How’s your smile? Research shows people who smile more often are happier. Your teeth are just as important to your good health as the rest of your body. Not only is it the first thing people notice, but good oral health is a gateway to your overall well-being. (Tip: Go to the dentist regularly and look into teeth whitening. Nothing says old more than yellowing teeth!)
7. Lonely?
Stop brooding and complaining about having no friends or family. Do something about it now. Right this minute. Pick up the phone, landline, or cell and make a call to do one or more of the following: Volunteer your time; take a class; invite someone to meet for lunch, brunch, dinner, or coffee. (Tip: Volunteer at the local public school to stay in touch with younger people and to keep current on trends, take a computer class or a tutorial session at your cell phone store to keep up with technology, choose a new person every week for your dining out.) [You may have to be creative during these times of COVID-19 but there are many safe ways we can volunteer and touch other people’s lives.]
8. Walk 10,000 Steps A Day
Start walking not only for your health but to see the neighbors. Have a dog? You’ll be amazed how the dog can be a conversation starter. (Tip: If you don’t have time for a dog, go to your local animal shelter and volunteer. You will be thrilled by the puppy love!) Make it a goal to walk 10,000 steps a day. Want to lose some weight or belly fat? Make it 15,000. You can do it!
9. Get Those Annual Check-Ups
Make this month the time to set up your annual physical and other health screenings. Go to the appointments and then, hopefully, you can stop worrying about ailments for a while. [Also, make sure you get your needed vaccinations.]
10. Find your inner artist.
Who says taking music lessons is for young school children? You may have an artist lurking inside you just waiting to be tapped. Have you always wanted to play the piano, violin, or tuba? Have you ever wondered if you could paint a portrait or scenic in oil? What about working in wood? (Tip: Sign up now for fall art or music classes and discover your inner artist!)
I think these are great ways to reinvent ourselves. It’s a good time to disprove the negative saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” It’s a good time to show everyone that your lifetime of experience is a good reason that they can trust someone over 50, over 60, over 70, etc. Fall is the time that the kids go back to school, it’s a good time for us to get busy and reinvent ourselves.
Best, Thair