Growing Old Gracefully

August 2014 Insights

Ever hear the expression “Getting Older Happens. Getting Wiser Is Optional”? Well, I’ve come to realize that there’s a whole lot of truth to that statement. Let’s face it, there’s no getting around the reality of aging and all the challenges it comes with but as it has been wisely said we really shouldn’t complain about getting older as it is a privilege many are denied. Hmm, maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to grip about those wrinkles and grey hairs after all. Growing old gracefully can be a choice. So let’s take this month’s Keys to Success insights and consider this more fully.

getting_older_happensI think most women will agree that as they age their health & well-being becomes a major priority in their lives. Sure, at any age it makes sense to take care of ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually. But unfortunately when we are young, we lack the wisdom to know any better and rely on our young bodies and immature minds to make up for the poor choices made. However, from what I am hearing through clients and peers, there seems to come a time in ones life when many of us realize we are living on borrowed time and can no longer rely on our youth to push us past another late night, consuming too much alcohol and sugar and the promise that tomorrow we will finally take control of managing our stress and happiness.

Now that I am 45 years old, health and wellness has taken on a whole new meaning. I am thinking more about the long run and staying vital throughout the next half of my life. I have made the decision to grow old gracefully, knowing I must be much more intentional about my health & well-being. For women this can be particularly  challenging, with the inevitability of menopause and hormone related deficiencies as well as other now well known common women’s health concerns like heart disease, cancer, arthritis/osteoporosis and chronic pain due to years of wear and tear on the body. Additionally, for some there can be the reality of empty nest syndrome, returning/changing/retiring professions or possibly divorce/widowed. Yes, I know not very inspiring but there is a whole lot of good stuff that comes with aging too like wisdom, experience, less self doubt, decreased distractions, greater empathy and less of a need to prove ourselves to name just a few. Even better news, most of those downsides of aging I mentioned earlier can be simply managed effectively with just preventative actions and living life more consciously and deliberately.

Regardless of one’s age, our physical, mental and spiritual wellness affects every aspect of our lives. When we take care of our bodies and minds we make a choice to participate fully in our lives and the pay off can be huge. Defining how you want to experience “wellness” in your life is up to you. Below I share a list of considerations. Rate your level of satisfaction on a scale of 1 (totally dissatisfied) to 10 (absolutely satisfied) and identify those areas that are important for you to develop or enhance.

 

Health & Wellness Considerations

Based on Energy Leadership Development System

2006-2010 iPEC Coaching

  Rate level of satisfaction on scale of 1 to 10

  • Amount of sleep you get   _________
  • How and what you eat _________
  • How you exercise __________
  • How physically flexible you are ___________
  • Your posture ____________
  • Your medical health condition ____________
  • How you manage your medical health __________
  • Stress and its effects on your life ______________
  • Mind/Body/Spirit Connection ____________
  • Living a healthy and well lifestyle _____________
  • Amount of rest & relaxation you get ___________
  • How effectively you deal with obstacles __________
  • Fun & enjoyment you experience in your life_______

Wellness is a state of being, an active process of becoming aware and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Start taking action today and age gracefully and happily tomorrow!

 

“Aging is not “lost youth” but a new stage of opportunity & strength”

Betty Friedman

 

 

Best Wishes For Success

-Holly-