Embracing the Truth: 6 Inspiring Ways to Age Gracefully

No one is immune to aging; it’s simply a natural part of life. Of course, no one really starts to consider this fact until they hit one of those milestones, whether it’s 30, 40, 50 or some other age.

The French author Pierre-Jules Renard once said “It is not how old you are, but how you are old.” This little quote, as simple as it might seem, sums up the aging process quite well. It doesn’t matter how old someone is chronologically; they can still be young and vibrant in mind and spirit.

Too many people spend so much of their time worrying about getting “old” and trying to cover up their age with makeup, creams, surgery and everything else, that they forget to enjoy the stage of life they are in.

Of course you want to look good, and you can! You won’t look like a 20-year-old once you’re 40 or like a 40-year-old when you’re 60, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Age has made you who you are; it’s shaped your character and taught you everything you know.

So, rather than fighting our age, we should embrace it and learn to look at it as a new era in our lives instead of viewing it as “lost youth.”

Here are six ways to ditch the clichés about aging and approach each day as a new opportunity.

Having a positive outlook on life can change the way you experience things and may even help you live longer. A study carried out at Trinity College found that how people view their activities and jobs can affect how successful and satisfied they are, while another study found a link between negative thinking and premature death.

Don’t let negative thoughts shape your life; make a conscious effort to look for the positive in every situation, and surround yourself by people who lift you up and help you think positively rather than those who drag you down with their negativity.

What and how you eat can affect not only your physical health but also your state of mind and outward appearance. Eat foods that are high in antioxidants and avoid saturated fats and red meat. Things like cold water fish, leafy green vegetables and green tea are packed with antioxidants and fight off health problems like cancer, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s.

Spreading your meals well is also important. Eating smaller meals more often is better than eating two or three large meals as it speeds up your metabolism promotes longevity.

Exercise is important for heart health and being physically fit can benefit you in every other aspect of your life, from work to downtime. Even if there are physical constraints that keep you from doing certain types of exercise, there are always things that you can do.

If jogging or walking is hard on your joints, you can take up swimming, and those who are wheelchair-bound can speak to a physical therapist about upper body exercises that get their heart rate up and increase overall muscle strength. Aim to get a minimum of 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercise each day.

Aging can take a toll on the brain and memory loss and decreased brain function are often seen as par for the course. However, keeping your brain active can help to prevent this from happening.

Research has shown that working your brain cells, both through physical and mental exercises, can help the brain to form new connections between individual cells and strengthen existing connections, which can prevent memory loss and keep your brain sharp.

Try doing crossword puzzles, learn a new language or practice playing a musical instrument to keep your brain from becoming inactive.

Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you have to stay at home watching television. Studies show that people who stay more socially active by getting together with groups of friends regularly, volunteering or joining a club are more likely to live longer and maintain better cognitive function.

Society tends to place a lot of importance on youth and beauty, but getting caught up in the cycle of trying to look or act like something you are not is going to wear you down, physically and emotionally.

Accept that your body is changing and that you may not be able to do everything you used to, and set realistic goals and expectations to avoid unnecessary stress and pressure.

Every phase of your life is precious and should be enjoyed; don’t try to hide your wrinkles, they are evidence of a life well lived, like the quote by Mark Twain that says; “Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.”

– Krisca Te works with Open Colleges, Australia’s leading provider of TAFE courses equivalent and

. When not working, you can find her on Google+ or spends the day with her baby boy.