“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
– Betty Friedan
Our perception and definition of ‘old’, as we Ahem!—age—is a moving target. When I was twelve, for example, I thought my grandparents were really, really old. They were probably in their late 60’s early 70’s. Today, according to my moveable time table, that age range is not old at all! Hey the 60’s is a time to reinvent, make things happen, have fun, and enjoy life!
As an Age Well Expert and R.N., I have learned that many typical complaints people have about getting older are avoidable, reversible, and treatable.
For example, those joint aches and pains we get from our physical activities like running, tennis, golf and skiing, are from the wear and tear of overuse. However, the solutions we come up with can either increase our range of motion while lowering the pain, or can cause further impairments.
As an avid swimmer and Wakeboarder, any joint or limb pain is a rude affront and threat to the activities I love. Instead of waiting for the pain to fester and manifest into a full blown injury or condition, I call on my holistic health practitioner team (chiropractor, acupuncturist, massage therapist, nutritionist and fitness trainer) to resolve and correct functional problems.
A different approach to health care—or caring for our health, after that certain age often referred to as midlife, is called for. Instead of waiting for doctor’s to fix what we break, becoming proactive and preventative is key to living our best life and staying active in ways we have grown to love!
At the risk of telling you all that you have already heard countless times, I cannot emphasize enough the benefits of how and what we do or do not eat, drink, and move. Let me know if you are interested in a customized food plan and I will refer you to a member of my holistic healthcare team.
While we are on the topic of holistic care, I must address another important element in living and aging well. A few years back I was featured in Marlo Thomas’ book ‘It Ain’t Over, Til It’s Over’. The book featured 50 women including moi, who had reinvented themselves after a certain age. You can see me sailing through the air on my wakeboard on the pages of this book, meant to empower women. Reinvention is key to living a life with passion.
Many of us had a passion for raising our kids, myself included. When empty nest struck, I had to find other passions to fuel a new purpose. For those who do not make this transition, they visibly wither on the vine of their lives.
The Age Well advice to you today, in a nutshell is: Eat, Drink, Play, Rest with intention, purpose, passion and focus. Do these things daily– as if your life and the pursuit of happiness depends on it!
Diane Dennis, R.N., author, Geriatric Care Manager, and award winning publicist is an Age Well Expert. Visit tips and lifestyle inspirations at www.AgeWellExpert.com