Healthy Perspectives on Aging

If the old saying is true that aging is not for the faint of heart, then Ambler must have a strong vibrant community core. Rather than crumbling with age, this town is ever being re-invented with fresh new ideas based on an old theme. Buildings have been re-built inside and out while preserving their original charm. New businesses have taken up residence. Some are growing roots.

Ambler is one of many old towns expressing youthful aspirations from which we can learn a lot about how to age with grace and buoyancy. Vitality and the opportunity for new engagement are an important part of well-being that authorities agree cultivate healthy aging. All too often, however, with the stresses and responsibilities we accept, life is more like a game of “Beat the Clock” than one of balanced, thoughtful pursuit.

But, we have a choice and can at any moment decide to change our approach to one that is healthier, especially if we allow our thought to grow more spiritual. Here are some questions to ponder and tips to help you get started:

· What is your viewpoint?

Studies show that the passing of time is perceived differently according to individual perspectives. For example, to a child, summer vacation may take forever to arrive whereas to an adult who is juggling a multitude of responsibilities, time passes away too quickly. Albert Einstein said, “Time is an illusion.” We have the option to change our perspective on aging and, like the Ambler community, look for and cultivate what is new about the old.

Mary Baker Eddy, a Christian healer and health researcher who enjoyed good health to age 89 during a time when women on an average lived to the age of 50, knew how important it was for us to take a spiritual viewpoint of aging when she wrote, “Let us then shape our views of existence into loveliness, freshness, and continuity, rather than into age and blight.”

· What are you expecting?

Citizens undertaking a re-vitalization project expect a positive return and usually get it. If we expect good, if we allow our thinking to dwell on good, we experience good. Is it possible we can apply this principle to health? A 2013 Health and Volunteering Study conducted by the United Health Group says we can. Findings of the, “Doing good is good for you” study reported that people who did good for others, experienced less stress and felt better physically, mentally and emotionally. 94% said that it “improves their mood.”

· Are you willing to take a stand?

Like those who first stand up to declare, “Let’s save the town!” countering the idea of deterioration is an important step in determining outcomes. Oprah, who turned 60 this year, took great joy in sharing her uplifting thoughts on aging in the May/June issue of O magazine. The cover story was titled, “Age Brilliantly!”. People.com quoted her as saying, “Call me crazy, but I’ve never really understood our culture’s fear of getting older.”

We can all get busy re-shaping our ideas of healthy aging into vitality instead of decay. If we can do it for a town, we can do it for ourselves. Health is normal and aging can be experienced with grace and brilliance.

Debby Kowit blogs on the link between spirituality and wellness and the positive impact of healthy thinking on our lives. She is the media and legislative liaison for Christian Science in Pennsylvania. You can follow her on Twitter @PAComPub

Accompanying photo © GLOW IMAGES

vetWX