It’s completely natural for humans to grow older. However, society tends to look at all of the characteristics that come with aging, like graying hair and wrinkled skin, as a bad thing. Mindful aging is embracing the best things and the less fun things about growing older. It’s about knowing that you have so much more life to live, and finding new ways to live it. There are plenty of proven benefits to mindful living, including better sleep and a stronger immune system. These three tips will help you live a mindful life as you age.
Listen To Your Body
The first step to aging mindfully is being in tune with yourself. Pay attention to the changes that will inevitably come, and act accordingly. Start small by responding to the feelings you’ve recognized all your life; eat when you’re hungry, drink when you’re thirsty, and sleep when you’re tired. Go to the doctor when you notice that you’re feeling pains that weren’t there before. Find what is normal for you, and pay attention to when that changes.
This goes for your mental state as well. If you find yourself feeling depressed or anxious, start taking steps to reduce those feelings. At the same time, notice when something brings you peace and joy. Living mindfully is all about focusing on your present needs and feelings and then making sure that those needs are met. Become aware of your physical, mental, and emotional state and learn how to tell when something is wrong.
Weight loss or gain is something that is also frequently seen as we age. If you notice a significant change, start a weight loss program that helps you take steps to improve your overall health. By adopting a diet change, you’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite things with refreshed energy, while becoming more mindful of how your body reacts to certain foods.
Set Goals
There’s this misconception that your life ends once you’ve hit a certain age, whether it be because you’re too slow and can’t keep up or because you’re in too much pain to enjoy the ride. But there’s no reason to believe this! To keep yourself from accepting this lie, continue to set goals for yourself. If you’re still working, make work-related goals, like striving for a promotion or becoming friends with one of your coworkers. If you’re already retired, challenge yourself to learn a new skill like playing an instrument or learning a new language. Most people tend to have more free time in their elder years, so use this time to work on bettering your life.
These goals don’t just have to be related to self-improvement, either. They can be as creative as visiting a new country once a year or as arbitrary as dying your hair every color of the rainbow. The point of setting these goals is to give yourself something to look forward to and to remind you that your life still has purpose. After all, it’s never too late to live the life of your dreams!
Stay Positive
It is an honor and a privilege to live a long life and to have experienced as much as you have. Instead of dwelling on the negatives of getting older, acknowledge the fact that you are able to watch this world change in ways you’ve never dreamed of seeing. A positive attitude gives meaning to your life. If you’re ever feeling down about your image, remind yourself of all the reasons you love yourself and of all the reasons that you are loved. Be mindful of the long journey it took to be where you are now and don’t be afraid to brag about how far you’ve come. Just remember that the journey isn’t over yet and live your life to the fullest!
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