Reducing Stress in Our Lives
Stress Awareness Month has been recognized every April since 1992, but stress continues to be an issue in our lives not matter our age.
~ by Carol Vartuli
The idea to accentuate the positives of aging was introduced when Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) began to turn 50. That post-war generation didn’t accept the status quo in the 1960s, and they were determined to debunk myths about aging as they approached their 60s and 70s.
Carolyn Worthington, the creator of September is Healthy Aging Month, is the publisher of Healthy Aging Magazine, and HealthyAging.net . “The observance (this month) encourages people to rejuvenate and get going on positive measures that can impact the areas of physical, social, financial and mental wellness.”
This September, the magazine editors have articulated 10 tips to reinvent yourself.
The first is:
Other tips on Healthy Aging’s list include:
These tips directly challenge tendencies to think negatively. The reality of aging is that we don’t always feel the way we used to. We have more physical limitations; our bodies have acquired wear and tear. But, there are ways to lessen the impact of aging.
In the last few decades, numerous medical institutions and research groups have studied the aging process. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), for example, conducts ongoing research, following participants over a decade or more. Results from these studies, and others, concur that several actions can help us maintain health and function as we age.
Here are some of the top recommendations:
If you reside near friends and family, in a community where you can participate in social gatherings and stimulating activities, you are more apt to age healthily.
Many seniors without family nearby are fortunate to live in senior communities, like The Osborn, where proximity to peers encourages social interaction, and physical activity.
“We call our broad spectrum of programs WellSpring ,” says Lisa Hoxie, director of Life Enrichment at The Osborn. “Programs range from exercise classes and nature walks, to concerts and college classes, and trips to museums and area historical sites. We’re 100 percent invested in engaging our residents’ minds, bodies and souls.”
Excellent ways to ensure a positive attitude that can keep your spirits up and help you stay healthy well into later life.