A Guide to Aging Gracefully

"Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth." A beautifully expressed philosophy of aging from the text of Desiderata. It's also perhaps, easier said than done! After all, what does it mean to age gracefully? Does it mean you just give up doing things you love? Of course not - but it does mean you need to be aware of the balance that aging requires. Don't be afraid to ask for help - pride is one of the seven deadly sins for a reason! United Methodist Communities, with our abundant life philosophy and Christian mission, completely embodies this philosophy of aging gracefully. Let’s take a quick look at this guide to aging gracefully, compiled by our team of home health aides in New Jersey.

Enjoying the Golden Years on your terms

When you think about what it means to age gracefully, you might think about all the things you won’t be able to do, or how growing older will affect your looks or health. But aging gracefully is a positive thing! It’s about embracing a new way of life with a positive attitude that’s all about living your retirement years to the fullest. 

Why the Golden Years are great!

There’s no clear definition of what old really is – after all, in the early 1900s the average life expectancy was 47 and by 1950 it was only 58. Today, seniors are fitter, healthier, and happier than ever thanks to modern living. In fact, a Harvard study showed that lifestyle factors had a larger  impact on happiness levels than money or fame! After all, with age, we get a good dose of wisdom, fewer stressors from work life, and a greater appreciation of our lives rather than striving for material things. So, how do we keep this up?

Tips for aging gracefully

• Take care of your skin – It’s your body’s largest organ and protecting it will help keep you healthy, heal faster, and regulate your body temperature. For seniors, gentle and deeply nourishing skin care, along with wearing a good sunscreen and covering up while outside, is best. You should also have regular checkups for skin cancer and drink plenty of water.

• Stay physically active – Regular exercise is one of the most powerful ways you can support your health and independence as you age! Exercise lowers stress, keeps the muscles and heart healthy, stabilizes blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and releases endorphins to improve mood. In addition to swimming, walking, dancing, or cycling, seniors should try light weight exercises like yoga or pilates to stay strong.

• Keep eating healthily – Like exercise, good nutrition is critical for healthy, happy senior years. Stick to fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables where possible, eat minimal fried, fatty, sugary, and processed foods, and make sure you are getting plenty of fiber every day.

• Support your mental health – Stress, depression, and anxiety are damaging to the mind and body.Remember that your mental health deserves as much support as your physical health! Make sure you spend plenty of time with friends and loved ones, do activities and hobbies you enjoy, embrace positive attitudes about aging, and don’t hesitate to try new things. Volunteering, learning new skills, and mentoring young people are all wonderful ways to stay connected, keep your mind sharp, and stay in the present!

A helping hand for full, abundant living for seniors!

United Methodist Communities’ HomeWorks program is focused on giving older adults a professional and welcoming hand in maintaining independence and living life with abundance and purpose. Our in-home caregivers are trained and experienced in medication management, nursing skills, meal preparation, and much more, helping every client live independently and enjoy their senior years to the fullest. 

For more information on our services for home care for the elderly or to hire a home health aide in New Jersey, contact us today or visit our website at 

https://homeworks.umcommunities.org

This blog was originally published at https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/blog/a-guide-to-aging-gracefully/