Healthy Longevity

Senior Citizen! I love this stage of my life, but I find it easier to say "mature" or "aging" rather than senior. I know that it is a societal prejudice, especially since we are all living longer. I keep reminding myself that aging is not optional!

Perhaps our aversion to being a senior is because at some deep level we spend much of our life in denial. As we watch parents and friends age, that is sort of something that happens to "them," not us. Then one day the big 70 rolls around and we must admit that we are now "them."

Now that I have reached that magic time of life, and I am very healthy and active, I think a lot about how to age well, and what that really means.

AGING WELL: What is it, and what can I do contribute to aging well myself?

First we need to accept that we can age well, and that we must take responsibility for doing that. Health and happiness are both things that we create. Conversely being unhealthy or unhappy are also states that we create, either consciously or unconsciously. So I see my major task is to be certain that I am CONSCIOUSLY contributing to my health and happiness.

I live in an age-55-plus community where I serve as treasurer of our home owners' association. I also am a regular volunteer at the Senior Center in the city where I live. Volunteering in recent years has added great meaning to my life. Both these volunteer activities provide lots of opportunities to observe mature people at all stages of their advancing years.

Some are always negative, while others are always positive. Some are always unhappy, while others are always happy. Some have a reputation of always being troublemakers.

Some are always complaining about their physical ailments, while others never complain. Some are eager to learn new things, while others just "go with the flow," in their same old rut.

Some are old people at 60, while others happily look forward to their century mark birthday. I believe that for most of us the choices we make every day determine how our lives turn out. The key word here is CHOICES. Choices are something we and only we must take responsibility for.

I see nutrition and physical activity as the two biggest physical aspects to aging healthily. A healthy diet and relative normal weight, coupled with consistent moderate exercise, are the cornerstone of my own healthy lifestyle program. I have practiced Qi Gong (chee kung) seriously for about 12 years, for at least half an hour 5-6 times each week.

QI GONG CHANGED MY LIFE! I am passionate about fitness. I like Qi Gong because it utilizes my body's own energy as a healing tool. It improves the quality of my sleep, improves my energy level, as well as the functioning of my immune response. Actually, all areas of my life function better because of my practice of Qi Gong. I also highly recommend Yoga.

THE ULTIMATE EXERCISE, of course, is the simplest - WALKING! It doesn't require any special instruction or equipment, and no one can say, "I can't do that!" All one needs to do is have your desire to be healthier in good order, and then put on a pair of good walking shoes and head out the door. Such a deal!

If walking is a challenge for you, then begin by taking a few steps inside your home, extending the number of steps each day. Soon you'll be outside enjoying the fresh air and your neighborhood.

REACHING THE CENTURY MARK: I have a friend, a retired medical doctor, who just had his 100th birthday, and here are some of his suggestions for longevity:

o You must stay active, both mentally and physically

o You must make good food choices

o You must remain physically fit, with some kind of regular fitness program

o You must maintain a positive attitude

o You must take responsibility for all the above

I have decided I want to be just like him when I grow up!

WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN LIFE: One of the most important lessons I have learned in my mature years is that the things I thought were important when I was younger are not and never were really important. Such things as the accumulation of things come to mind. I have also come to know that the most important things in my life are relationships. I treasure the relationships I have with my daughter-in-law and grandson, especially since losing my then 42-year-old son three years ago, and also many friends. They are all important to me.

I have learned that the best things in life really are free. I have learned that when all is said and done and our life is over, the only thing that remains is the love.