Successful Aging in the New Year

Have you noticed the number of older celebrities who are the epitome of successful aging? Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Clint Eastwood, to name a few famous people, have not allowed a number to define how they live their lives.

Biblically, these characters lived a long time and experienced successful aging:

• Although Adam disobeyed and committed sin, ultimately, he lived a long life, loved his wife, and served God.
• Enoch was able to continue walking closely with the Lord.
• Noah served and followed God no matter what.
• Job experienced many trials and tribulations; however, he continued to walk with and trusted God with all his heart.
• Abraham believed that God could do anything.
• Joseph always trusted that God was with him.

There is a correlation between aging successfully and the walk with God. It will look different for everyone, but the success of aging is tied to your faith in how you can bring Glory to God.

The problem with aging successfully is that what you tell yourself impacts your physical, emotional, and mental states.

Tips for successful aging.

People worldwide have embraced their age, but only some of the limitations we, as a society, place on a specific number.

If we can walk at eighty years old, and as long as a physician gives us clearance, who is to say that we could not train for a marathon or start lifting light weights? God does have time for everything; however, you should consider yourself blessed and list your blessings.

As you age into the new year, it is an excellent time to let go of mistakes and failures and reflect on your learning. Examining the past can lead you to address what is happening now, and there may be a need for reconciliation to forgive yourself. God always has a plan for you, no matter your age.

Successful aging is embracing the number but also giving it a different definition. It is keeping a positive mindset and a playful spirit.

Don’t stop learning new things.

Learning new things keeps our brains functioning and creating neural pathways. As you age, you want to do everything possible to maintain cognitive functioning and decrease the risk of memory problems. Jesus invites us to learn from him: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” (Matthew 11:29 NIV). This means we know from him, with, besides, and about him.

If you have not already, could you make it a goal to learn more about finances, investments, and savings? Ask a professional how to get started. Your spouse may have handled all the finances in the past, but knowing your current income and expenses is equally important.

Technology is another big area that always keeps growing. No one is an expert in the tech industry because it constantly changes. Try learning a program or app. You may need to watch videos or ask a family member to familiarize yourself with the platform. Have fun with it.

Are there any subjects you are interested in finding out more about? Nothing is off-limits with the abundance of the Internet, videos, books, and courses. Learning and teaching are a large part of the Christian faith, and he designed the church to be a system of learners for a lifetime. There is always a new talent or skill to learn, and approaching the new year and life in general with a childlike mindset will help you with successful aging.

Stay active.

It is essential that you intentionally move daily. Always get clearance from a physician before starting any fitness program, but once cleared, make exercise a consistent part of your life. You do not have to engage in high-impact or long sessions to reap the benefits of exercise.

Regular exercise that will get your heart pumping will lower blood pressure and resting heart rate, improve your balance, strengthen your muscles and bones, and decrease your risk of disease. Exercise three to five days a week is as effective as medication for depression.

Is there a specific activity you want to try? How about something low-impact, like walking or swimming? How about balance and flexibility exercises like those found in yoga and Pilates?

Or you prefer a faster workout and want to try cardio dance or boxing. Lifting weights can improve your range of motion and make it easier to pick up heavier objects. You decide on which exercise you like and that you will do consistently. God gives us a body to take off well.

Maintain social connections.

Isolation can lead to depression. We are social creatures at heart. Even introverts need to nurture relationships with others, so maintaining social connections is vital for mental health. Do you go to church or belong to a group that meets regularly? Do you visit a café often enough to learn about the employees?

If this is an area you have been neglecting, find a few local groups in the community or a home church. Most churches have Senior groups that meet for Bible Study and other events. This allows you to network and bond with other men and women in this season of their lives. Of course, you can always meet up for coffee outside the group.

Don’t forget about local events in the community. For example, does your city host plays and orchestra performances? Invite a few friends to go with you. Not only would their company be a blessing to you, but you may be the social interaction that they need for their mental health.

We are social beings and created to connect with others. The meaning of your life is to serve others, and serving others creates a life worth purpose, allowing you to grow older successfully.

Do not relegate yourself to the rocking chair.

The country singer George Jones used to sing a song titled “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair.” In the song, he sang about how he might be older but wasn’t ready to resign himself to sitting and waiting to die. Yet, when we reach a certain age, it seems like society expects us to “act our age.”

But acting that way could cause more harm psychologically. When you think your life is over and the best years of your life are past, you can settle into a deep depression. Eventually, this depression will cause physical issues. But every season of life has its highs and lows. What unique experiences await you now?

If you want to sit in your rocking chair, do it because you had an adventurous day and love to rock, not because society expects you to. God expects us to stay active, and we bring glory to Him through our activities.

Eat nutritious foods.

Many of us have gotten by on a steady diet of fast, sugary foods and drinks. But now is the time to cut back on these foods. Your body needs nutritious and vitamin-rich foods to function at its maximum capability, fight free radicals, and boost the immune system. God wants to be a part of your healthy eating. Everything we eat and drink should bring the glory of God.

Stopping cold turkey may be challenging, so concentrate on cutting back. Aim to eventually rid your diet of fatty foods, sodium-laden meals, sugary and caffeinated drinks, and alcohol. Take it one day at a time and record your progress. You can honor God by how you eat. Developing a healthy relationship with food brings you closer to God and leads to aging successfully.

When you first stop consuming these foods, you may experience headaches. This is normal, and your body will adapt. Push by eating fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. God created these foods to give us good health and nutrients to thrive and sustain life.

Play brain games.

Working puzzles, finding words, and trying to guess the trivia questions are all excellent ways to keep your mind sharp. The goal is to reduce your risk of dementia and memory problems. Of course, genetics play a huge role in whether someone develops Alzheimer’s, but you want to make the right choices to keep any memory issues at bay for a long time.

You can find puzzle books at retailers. If you would rather play digital games to improve your memory and critical thinking skills, look online and through the app store. Monitor the amount of time you spend playing brain games, and be mindful if you spend more time playing brain games than with the Lord.

Embrace aging gracefully.

Sometimes, the path with the least resistance seems like the easier route. However, your health may decline if you give in to those feelings. At the same time, please don’t push your body past its limit. There will be some things you need to accept that you can no longer do, which is okay.

You will probably see new lines and wrinkles in the mirror. That is a part of this season of life, and many people die young and never get to see the day when they notice a laugh line around their mouth. You are blessed to be the age that you are today. Growing older is a blessing, and God has a purpose for you.

Don’t punish yourself for living a longer life. Embrace the blessing. Take care of the body God gave you for as long as your soul is housed inside. Besides bringing glory to God, you must stay curious, practice gratitude, and make the most of each moment.

Finding support.

Do you fear the future? Does successful aging seem like a dream? Contact our office today to schedule a call with a counselor specializing in aging and senior issues. We cover every aspect of your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

You can age gracefully and enjoy this season of your life, which brings glory to God.