Day 279 of 365 - Embracing Living Longer
I've finished the book, Bolder by Carl Honoré, and have had more of my own ageist thinking challenged. We are living in a time when the world is a much better place for seniors, and will only continue to get better. To help with a more positive shift, we need to change how we speak, think and behave about ageing. A good place to start is by stopping use of the typical clichés and phrases, like 'senior moment', 'for your age' and referring to someone as 'still' doing something, all of which I have been guilty of using.
We are all just people, living in the world at whatever age we are, doing what we do. Yes, there are various kinds of declines as we age, but research is showing that there are lots of positives too. For example, we mind less what other people think. We get better at being present and in the moment. Life can get smaller but also more carefully honed for quality. What's important is to find the right balance in what we do, and how we spend time with others or alone.
Our attitude toward ageing affects how we age. You have probably heard of the study done by a psychologist many years ago, where 8 men lived for a week in a setting that was like 1959, over twenty years younger than their actual age. The effects on their health were remarkable. We need to adopt a more favorable view of ageing if we want to age well.
There are many new opportunities and advances being developed all the time which will assist us in this goal. Technology can change our lives for the better, and is no harder for older people to learn than younger people who are also unfamiliar with it. It's attitude and aptitude that are the biggest factors in learning something new.
As I'm finding out in the reading and research that I do for this blog, more and more is being learned all the time about how our bodies work and what influences how we age. We have much more understanding now of ways we can prolong our wellness and independent functioning.
Different kinds of living situation options are springing up. More people of similar age are choosing to share a residence, to be available to share chores or support one another. Inter-generational playgrounds are being built, where people of all ages can play and exercise together. Nursing home settings which mingle ages, by offering free lodging to some students in exchange for volunteer hours with residents are proving to boost the health and happiness of all involved.
Mixed age workplace teams are being found to be the most productive. Mentoring programs of old coaching young and young coaching old are enriching the workplace. People need to keep doing what gives them pleasure and a sense of purpose, regardless of age, and the retirement concept needs revision.
The proportion of adults over 65 on social media has more than tripled in the last ten years, with people in this age group doing all kinds of online activities. People aspire to many of the same things throughout life. There is always more to discover. There is no need to deny the age we are or to feel the need to turn back time.
To be sure, there are declines that come with ageing, but becoming more accepting of our strengths and weaknesses and knowing what resources are available to support us is more helpful than pretending we are younger. Also, being more open to accepting help and support from others when it is needed will make our longer lasting lives better too.
David Bowie's commentary about ageing was that it is an opportunity to become the person you always should have been. Bravo to that! Let's deal honestly with the challenges that arise but also embrace the many upsides of our ever increasing life experience.
We are all just people, living in the world at whatever age we are, doing what we do. Yes, there are various kinds of declines as we age, but research is showing that there are lots of positives too. For example, we mind less what other people think. We get better at being present and in the moment. Life can get smaller but also more carefully honed for quality. What's important is to find the right balance in what we do, and how we spend time with others or alone.
Our attitude toward ageing affects how we age. You have probably heard of the study done by a psychologist many years ago, where 8 men lived for a week in a setting that was like 1959, over twenty years younger than their actual age. The effects on their health were remarkable. We need to adopt a more favorable view of ageing if we want to age well.
There are many new opportunities and advances being developed all the time which will assist us in this goal. Technology can change our lives for the better, and is no harder for older people to learn than younger people who are also unfamiliar with it. It's attitude and aptitude that are the biggest factors in learning something new.
As I'm finding out in the reading and research that I do for this blog, more and more is being learned all the time about how our bodies work and what influences how we age. We have much more understanding now of ways we can prolong our wellness and independent functioning.
Different kinds of living situation options are springing up. More people of similar age are choosing to share a residence, to be available to share chores or support one another. Inter-generational playgrounds are being built, where people of all ages can play and exercise together. Nursing home settings which mingle ages, by offering free lodging to some students in exchange for volunteer hours with residents are proving to boost the health and happiness of all involved.
Mixed age workplace teams are being found to be the most productive. Mentoring programs of old coaching young and young coaching old are enriching the workplace. People need to keep doing what gives them pleasure and a sense of purpose, regardless of age, and the retirement concept needs revision.
The proportion of adults over 65 on social media has more than tripled in the last ten years, with people in this age group doing all kinds of online activities. People aspire to many of the same things throughout life. There is always more to discover. There is no need to deny the age we are or to feel the need to turn back time.
To be sure, there are declines that come with ageing, but becoming more accepting of our strengths and weaknesses and knowing what resources are available to support us is more helpful than pretending we are younger. Also, being more open to accepting help and support from others when it is needed will make our longer lasting lives better too.
David Bowie's commentary about ageing was that it is an opportunity to become the person you always should have been. Bravo to that! Let's deal honestly with the challenges that arise but also embrace the many upsides of our ever increasing life experience.
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