It is an inevitable fact of life that we will all mature, grow old, our skin will wrinkle and our hair will turn gray. While there is nothing we can do to stop the aging process, there are some ways we can age well and even feel younger.
If you want to learn how to feel younger regardless of your age, here are some tips on how you can feel that way and conquer the fear of aging.
Embrace your fears: When reaching retirement, most people are expected to slow down, whether by choice or desire. Slowing down can create a situation where normal fears can rise even more strongly. So if you want to grow old happily, my advice is to face these fears as early as possible. This does not mean going to war with them: invite them to tea and start a dialogue.
Create cheerful daily habits: Habits are a great way to ensure that you continue to make the positive choices you need. Here are some examples: Take time in your day to express gratitude for the good things in your life, go for a brisk walk, bike ride or outdoor activity every day.
Treat problems like an adventure: It's easy to get down and feel like a victim when you have problems with your health or other parts of your life. Choose to believe that there is a gift, an advantage in most problems. Treat these difficulties as you would an adventure vacation: collect maps and other information, look for a good guide and treat the new learning you need as an interesting challenge.
Spend more time with friends: One of the best ways to feel younger and keep your brain healthy is to spend more time with friends. Plan a weekly meeting at home or for lunch or dinner out. Being more social can also help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.
Take a lesson: you are never too old to learn something new. Whether you want to learn a new language or learn more about a particular hobby of yours, there are classes available online or in person that can make it happen. A class can boost brain health and increase your social skills, both of which can make you feel younger.
ACT YOUNG: Stay up late, attend a concert or have a second glass of wine. Do things that stimulate your adrenaline that will help you feel more alive. We can be sedentary as we age and that, in itself, can make us feel much older than we really are. Act younger and start feeling that way.
Keep a positive outlook: We all have to deal with losses and shortcomings as we grow older. On top of that, the sheer pace, complexity and technology of everyday life can wear you down, exacerbated by the constant barrage of news, advertisements and social media, leaving us overwhelmed and helpless.
How can we remain happy despite all these pressures that pull in the other direction? The basic point is that we must continually choose to believe positivity about ourselves, other people, and the world at large. Try to continue paying attention to your thoughts and feelings, and continue to choose positivity, such as gratitude and appreciation for all the good things about yourself and your life.
Smile more: undoubtedly one of the easiest ways to feel younger and improve your appearance. Smiling releases endorphins which are often called the "feel good" hormone. Smiling also helps reduce stress, boost your mood and give you more energy.
In conclusion, our growing up should not lead to a life without pleasure. In fact, many people have more fun as they get older and reach their retirement age. This is usually because they have more time to enjoy their lives, pursue a hobby or travel the world.
The writer is cultural director at Polg Estate sheltered housing