It is great to be an elder!
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EmailA few reminders to keep a positive perspective.
As our communities continue to age, it is important to keep in mind that getting older does not mean that you are destined to be sick or ailing. Becoming an elder has many joyous perspectives such as:
- Passing on family traditions and beliefs
- Becoming a mentor and/or a teacher to have an opportunity to impart your wisdom
- Enjoying more community events – elder’s luncheons, seasonal activities
- Enjoying grandchildren and family – National Grandparents Day
- Sharing stories about the family with the next generations to keep those stories alive
However, in order to continue being able to partake in these events, a person should review their daily activities to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Throughout our lives we continuously hear that it is important to maintain a well-balanced diet, exercise and perform new activities to exercise the brain to keep mental clarity. Michigan State University Extension has a few ideas for other areas that could help you maintain a healthy outlook:
- Spirituality – Taking time to partake in ceremony, church or temple. Perhaps taking time to explore your beliefs and/or faith more indepth
- Adequate rest – It is important to be aware of your sleep patterns to address any issues that might arise such as insomnia, waking up throughout the night, or waking up tired
- Stress management – It may be benefical to understand how you experience stress, to identify your sources of stress and/or to recognize how you deal with stress. For ways to manage stress read the Stress Tip Sheet
Being able to share with others about the journey you have taken is a wonderful gift! It is important to also remember that in order to do this we must take care of ourselves first and seek to have a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle.
