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Loading...5 Ways to Get Healthier & Happier With Age
- Molly, selected from Experience Life
- October 20, 2012
- 4:30 pm
- 64 comments
In our culture, everything happens at the speed of youth. Whether it’s cell phones, computers, songs, movies, books or opinions, it seems that only the newest models and latest releases matter. Whatever it is, if it’s been around for a while, it’s probably lost some value along with its straight-out-of-the-package luster.
And that might be inevitable when it comes to the latest iPad. But it makes no sense when it comes to people. Because while our culture is inclined to associate aging with a downgrade in beauty, vitality and appeal, aging done well has the potential to be something else entirely: an enjoyable and inspiring upgrade of self.
Unlike the boundless energy of youth, the treasures of aging don’t just arrive at our doorsteps, though. While it is entirely possible to become more interesting, attractive and dynamic as you age, it rarely happens without some conscious striving.
That said, it’s well worth the effort. Done right, living brings wisdom, emotional maturity and insight. With age comes experience, skill, discernment and perspective. We become more empathetic. We develop the compassion to fully know and love others, and the confidence to relax into our best attributes. We gain the ability to know — and even strut — our own stuff.
Seen in this light, getting older can be downright sexy. But how does one go about engaging in artful aging? One of the best ways is to start early.
Knowing at 20, 30 or 40 that you can, and fully intend to, become cooler, smarter and potentially hotter as you age gives you an important advantage, because it can help you keep your goals and priorities in line over the long haul. It also helps you focus on the end game, so you don’t get stuck thinking that midlife achievements are the highest markers of a life well lived.
But at whatever age you suddenly realize that you are, in fact, getting older, it is still possible to age gracefully from there on out. All it takes is smart choices, well-directed energy and a desire for self-renewal. As best-selling author and journalist Gail Sheehy puts it, we need to “remain open to new vistas of learning and imagination and anticipate experiences yet to be conquered and savored.”
Read more: Aging, Career, Community, Diet & Nutrition, Family, Fitness, Fun, General Health, Health, Healthy Aging, Life, Mental Wellness, aging gracefully, connection, interests, role model, wisdom in aging
By Elizabeth Foy Larsen, Experience Life
Molly, selected from Experience Life
Experience Life magazine is an award-winning health and fitness publication that aims to empower people to live their best, most authentic lives, and challenges the conventions of hype, gimmicks and superficiality in favor of a discerning, whole-person perspective. Visit experiencelife.com to learn more and to sign up for the Experience Life newsletter, or to subscribe to the print or digital version.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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Valid points and definitely a real phenomenon. This is a complicated issue with an easy inclination …
64 comments
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The single best thing I would name about getting older is how much you learn and retain and now can use! For example, when you were 10 yrs old you knew a world more than you knew at the age of 6....at 20 you know a world more than you knew at 10....at 30 you know a world more than you did at 20. And it keeps going like that, you really get a thousand times wiser and smarter about life and people(if your a Republican, you will begin to lean Democrat-just my case). Self discovery along the way is exciting and you always suprise yourself with the things you now have an interest in. I personally, have enjoyed the richness of my life experiences and now I am completely immersed in a hobby I never would have imagined at a younger age. Its great fun to self explore. I agree with the author, the absolute key to aging well is complete, total SELF HONESTY. Do this you won't go wrong.
Looking forward to it!
be gracious and grateful too!
thanks
Lovely!
Think and believe that the best is yet to come! Thanks for the wonderful article.
Interesting aspects, which are acquired only through experience of life. But I have a practical and it works: remove the words "revenge and hatred" of your dictionary.
Sage advice.
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