Coming to Terms with Aging
Aging is inevitable. It’s natural to have heightened feelings during this time, such as fear or sadness, but just because aging is unavoidable doesn’t mean negative emotions have to play a part in your experience. If you’re having a hard time accepting and navigating this new stage in life, consider the following to help you come to terms with aging.
Acknowledge your emotions
It’s common to want to ignore your negative emotions or suppress them and tell yourself you’re okay. Pushing your feelings aside doesn’t allow you to address the aging process and can make it more challenging as you continue to grow older. Acknowledge how you’re feeling and know your emotions are valid and temporary. It’s okay to feel stressed about how you’ll pay for future medical expenses or nervous about missing milestones in the lives of your loved ones. It’s also okay to feel excited about the golden years in retirement or have more free time to spend with your family.
Share how you’re feeling with others
Aging is a universal thing that every person experiences. Talk to your friends or family members of the same age or older and ask how they manage changes. Get together over coffee or lunch and reminisce when the body moved more freely, or the mind felt sharper. Share advice about how you’re coping or discuss plans and options.
If you’re not comfortable speaking to loved ones or you don’t have older friends or relatives, consider joining a support group. A support group is a great place to connect with people in similar situations, plus it’s a great place to meet new people. Support groups are also beneficial when dealing with conditions outside of natural aging, such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes, because it allows you to connect with others living a shared experience.
Consider speaking with a therapist if aging brings added stress, anxiety, or depression that is not subsiding or lasts more than a few days. These emotions may signify something more serious, and working with a medical professional is the best way to stay happy and healthy.
Take care of your body
If one thing makes you feel your age, it’s how quickly your body changes. You may start to notice more aches and pains throughout the day or find that you don’t move as gracefully as you once did. While you can’t stop your body from changing, you can slow the progression by taking care of your physical self.
The two primary ways of taking care of your body are diet and exercise. Your diet refers to everything you consume, both foods and beverages. As you get older, it’s essential to incorporate fresh produce, lean meats, and whole grains into your diet while limiting processed foods and alcohol. A healthy diet means finding more ways to cook fresh meals at home instead of fast food deliveries or boxed meals.
Physical activity is also an essential part of taking care of your body. Movement can include going for walks around the neighborhood, riding a bike with friends, or swimming at a local pool. You don’t need to become a fitness junkie or join a new gym, but find ways to move your body daily. If you’re new to exercise, always check with your doctor before starting a new fitness routine.
Fill your days with purpose
Retirement often comes with aging. For many, it’s a glorified time when you can relax and reconnect with your family and friends. While there’s much to look forward to with retirement, some individuals find it challenging after devoting years to their careers. One way to transition into this new stage in your life is to fill your days with purpose. Your purpose can come from a new hobby, volunteer work, caring for grandchildren, or home projects. The goal is to find a recurring activity that can keep you feeling fulfilled.
Consider your care options
One of the most challenging parts of aging for many people is accepting that you may require help at home to continue living independently. An option for at-home help is hiring a professional caregiver. Professional caregivers assist with daily tasks such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, personal grooming, and transportation.
If you’re considering at-home care, the team at Visiting Angels is available to help. We provide various at-home care services to help you age comfortably and safely at home. Our Portage office works with seniors in Portage, Geauga, and the Southern Cuyahoga counties in Ohio. To schedule a complimentary consultation or learn more about our services, send us a message or call 330.297.2000.