No Need to End Up Grumpy

How have you taken to your senior years? Have you embraced this season of your life?

Your attitude will determine if you will grow into a grumpy senior or a sweet gran that the grandchildren always look forward to visiting.

According to experts, when you embrace your senior years and get in touch with your “core self,” you may become happier than you’ve ever been in your life.

The important thing is to focus on now. Forget what you did or did not do in the past. Let go of the past and live for now.

The following will help you to achieve this.

1. Accept your state

Everybody grows old. Learn to accept your condition – wrinkles, joint aches, and all. Learn to accept your strengths and limitations. Let go of unrealistic goals.

Make the best of your looks. Accept your receding hairline and the appearance of white hair. Just dress it well and take good care of it.

Look at the bright side. You are out of the rat race. You are no longer climbing the career ladder or facing the emotional and financial struggles of parenting. Not directly, anyway.

2. Stay connected

Staying connected to family and friends can help you stay emotionally healthy and mentally sharp, and can ward off disease.

A 2018 study in China found a lower incidence of dementia in older adults who maintained social connections than those who did not.

You may engage in the following activities to keep you connected to others.

• Enlist in a social center in your neighborhood and participate in activities there. You will stimulate your mind and make new friends.

• Join a group that engages in activities you enjoy such as playing music, reading books, hiking, and other pursuits. If you’re a good singer, join your church choir.

• Do volunteer work in your community. Opportunities abound in charities and religious bodies.

• Take a class. Learn a new skill – it could be knitting, crocheting, or painting. You could brush up on your computer skills.

Engage in these physical activities for as long as you are able. Meanwhile, join online groups, and if a time comes when you are physically unable to join group activities, continue with online pastimes.

3. Exercise and eat right

Exercise at home using online classes or exercise outdoors. Move and keep moving. Join a gym or find a walking or hiking partner.

Physical activity leads to a healthier life. It improves your brain function, lifts your mood, gives you energy, and prevents disease. Your body becomes strong so you can maintain your independence and are less likely to depend on others for daily chores.

Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Include green leafy vegetables, seafood, beans, and pulses in your diet.

4. Cultivate optimism

Choose to look always on the bright side, to count your blessings. Being positive boosts your immune system.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, you have a 50 percent higher chance of living to age 85 or longer when you are optimistic than when you view life through negative lenses.

In addition, you catch fewer colds, you lower your risk for heart attack, and you attract people to you. After all, unless they can’t help it, who wants to spend time with a grumpy person?

5. Work with your hands and engage your mind

Go outside and sweep the yard, plant some flowers, weed the garden, or repair that broken chair. Cook and try new recipes. If you’re not able to move around, then mend or make something with your hands.

Engage your mind by working on a jigsaw puzzle, doing a crossword puzzle, or a word game.

Final thoughts

Cultivate contentment and look for it inwardly. Don’t rely on outside forces for peace and happiness.

Accept that everybody grows old and there’s nothing you can do to stop or slow down the years.