5 Steps, 1 Reason: Aging Intelligently
An intelligent aging process begins when you decide it does. If you are not paying attention, don’t be surprised that you are not aging well. It isn’t luck, or genes, or living in a first world country that determines how you age, though all of it helps. Aging Intelligently is a decision that happens every day. Here’s a simple, but not easy, plan: do more of what matters to you, and less of what does not.
Show up. Everyday decide to give it the best you can that day. Make a decision that you will not settle for less than your best even if you spend the whole day in bed reading, you will not complain about your age, obsess over your aches and pains, and you will do the work to remain healthy and strong until you die. That involves smart food and drink choices, restful sleep, lowering your stress, staying curious and open, and lifting people up. Do not allow your friends or family to suck the life out of you. Make a decision to show up, everyday. And do the work of Aging Intelligently.
Participate in your own life. Forget what everyone else is doing, seek out new adventures. Go new places. Order something different off the menu. Your brain loves new things. Be active in your life, not passive. Right now, I am learning to read, write, and speak French. I do not know anyone who speaks French, I am not, to my knowledge, traveling to France anytime soon, and I have no reason to learn French. And yet, I practice 5 minutes everyday. That isn’t any time at all, and I am learning a new language, because learning is fun. It’s the process, not the result. It’s the same with your life. Your brain responds by staying active, and an active, neuron-producing brain is less likely to develop Alzheimer’s.
Be an asset, not a burden, to the people you encounter. A smile won’t kill you, and that over-worked 7-11 cashier might appreciate it. If you see someone drop something, don’t just tell them about it. Pick it up for them. What? You can’t bend over? Show some kindness with no expectation in return.
Build social community. Share your knowledge with others. People who are social and retain friends throughout their lives, live longer. Their stress level is lower. They have, and give support to each other. They lift each other up.
And finally, what will be the gift to others of your life? Will you be needy, grumpy, and invalid as you age? Or will you remain vibrant, with intelligent conversations, and someone people enjoy?
The choice is yours. Every day.
That’s Aging Intelligently.