Positive Aging
"How we choose to define, view, and accept the changes is crucial to our ability to 'age gracefully.' Positive aging allows us to weather the expected and unexpected changes we experience.We’re living longer. How will you plan and prepare for the next decades of your life?" Kori D. Miller
1. What is positive aging?
Positive aging is an approach to life that celebrates the idea that aging is a natural and valuable part of life. It emphasizes the importance of making the most of each stage of life and emphasizes the idea that aging should be viewed as a positive experience. Positive aging focuses on taking positive steps to ensure a meaningful and fulfilling life across the lifespan. It is about finding joy and satisfaction in each day, creating meaningful connections with others, and engaging in activities that bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
2. How can I achieve positive aging?
To achieve positive aging, individuals should focus on creating a fulfilling and meaningful life. This can include staying involved in the community, participating in activities that bring joy, engaging in meaningful work, developing social connections, staying physically active, and maintaining a positive outlook.
3. What are the benefits of positive aging?
The benefits of positive aging include not only physical and emotional wellbeing, but also an improved sense of confidence and self-worth. Positive aging can help individuals to focus on the things that give their lives meaning, such as relationships, work, hobbies, and other activities. By focusing on these positive aspects of life, individuals can experience a sense of joy and purpose that is often lost with age.
4. What self-care activities can I do to promote positive aging?
Self-care activities that can promote positive aging include getting enough sleep, eating a healthful diet, and engaging in regular physical activity. Additionally, individuals should practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing to reduce stress and promote well-being.
5. How can I stay physically active as I age?
Staying physically active is an important part of positive aging. Individuals should focus on incorporating physical activity into their daily lives. This can include walking, swimming, biking, or doing stretching exercises. Additionally, individuals can participate in organized fitness classes or join a sports team.
6. What are the benefits of staying mentally active?
The benefits of staying mentally active include improved cognitive functioning and a reduced risk of dementia. Mental activities such as reading books, playing games, doing puzzles, learning a new language, or writing can help to keep the mind active and engaged. Additionally, individuals can take classes or attend lectures to stay informed on the latest developments in the world.
7. How can I stay socially active as I age?
Staying socially active as one ages is important for well being. Individuals should make an effort to connect with friends and family, participate in community events, or join clubs or groups to stay connected. Additionally, individuals can use social media, telephone, or video calls to stay in touch with friends.
8. What are the benefits of engaging in meaningful work?
Engaging in meaningful work can bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Individuals can find meaningful work by volunteering in the community, taking on part-time employment, or starting a business. Additionally, individuals can find meaningful work through hobbies or creative pursuits.
9. How can I maintain a positive outlook as I age?
Maintaining a positive outlook as one ages can be difficult, but it is an important part of positive aging. Individuals can practice positive self-talk, practice gratitude, focus on the good in life, and stay connected with friends and family. Additionally, individuals can find ways to contribute to their community to stay connected and engaged.
10. What should I do if I am feeling lonely or isolated as I age?
If feeling lonely or isolated as one ages, individuals should make an effort to stay connected with friends and family. Additionally, individuals can join clubs or groups to meet new people, engage in meaningful work, or participate in activities that bring joy and satisfaction.
Ten principles of Positive Aging that you should pay attention to.
How to live to be 100, by Dan Buettner.
There are five places in the world where people live longer than anywhere else. Known as The Blue Zones they include Ikaria, Greece; Loma Linda, California; Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; and, Nicoya, Costa Rica.
Buettner identified nine specific lifestyle habits of the Blue Zones. They are:
Move Naturally
People in the Blue Zones live in areas that push them to move without thinking much about it. Their exercise includes activities like gardening.
Purpose
Called ‘Ikigai‘ by the Okinawans, this is your reason for getting up in the morning. Find it and you’ll live about seven years longer.
Down Shift
Learn how to manage stress. People in Blue Zones pray, remember their ancestors, take naps, or engage in happy hour.
80% Rule
Stop eating before you’re full. Eat your smallest meal in the late afternoon or early evening, and don’t eat anything else. This is how Blue Zone people live longer. They control their weight.
Plant Slant
Eat more beans. Some people in the Blue Zones eat pork, but not more than a handful of times in a month. Serving sizes are 3-4 oz.
Wine at 5
Buettner discovered that everyone in the Blue Zones except Adventists, drink alcohol. They drink 1-2 glasses/day with friends and/or with food. He suggests Sardinian Cannonau wine.
Belong
Most of the centenarians belonged to a faith-based community. Their research shows that attending services four times per month adds 4-14 year to your life.
Loved Ones First
Blue Zone people put family and their partners first. Aging parents and grandparents often live in the same home with their children, or nearby. This lowers disease and mortality rates of children in the home, according to Buettner’s team.
Right Tribe
Centenarians either chose their social circles or were born into them. Those circles supported healthy behaviors.
Here’s Buettner’s TedTalk, How to live to be 100+.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff40YiMmVkU
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