Every so often I read a magazine called "Natural Awakenings," free at health food stores. The November 2024 issue has a good advice article I'll paraphrase ... 5 Tips for Graceful Aging (By Dr. Jillian Finker - Finker Wellness) are:
1) Stay Active - Find an exercise you enjoy and do it regularly. Keeping active reduces the risk of needing a nursing home later in life.
2) Prioritize Nutrition - A balanced diet and proper hydration prevent strokes and overall aging. Eat real unprocessed food: whole grains and a variety of vegetables and lean meats and fish.3) Take Supplements - Consult your doctor. Supplementing with vitamins, herbs, and minerals can help with deficiencies as we age. My note: My mother takes 5,000 iu daily of Vitamin D and my doctor said I should take 2,000 iu daily of Vitamin D. With our doctors' knowledge we also began taking a One A Day multi-vitamin again. Doesn't hurt, no proof we need it either. That's why we prefer an inexpensive over-the-counter multivitamin. No need to overdose or overspend.
4) Get Outside And Connect - Social interaction extends life expectancy. "Soak up the sun" and spend time with family and friends.5) Release Your Fears - Make peace with your mortality and seek guidance from therapists and pastors to ease end-of-life fears.
My two cents:
It's inevitable that as we age, our lives get smaller, but it doesn't have to mean meaningless. Many people must slow down after the age of 85. It's a perfect time for hobbies to replace work and to be grateful for family and friends.
My German immigrant mom was always a businesswoman, and daily I see how much more difficult her life is without hobbies. What's more, she no longer has the dexterity in her fingers to resume skills she learned as a girl like knitting, sewing, and crocheting. Once I'm her age, I hope my intellectual curiosity and a healthy pair of eyes keep me stimulated to save me from hours of boredom. Life can indeed throw us a cure. Worsening eyesight makes reading more difficult for some seniors.
Still, let's commit to doing as much as we can for as long as we can!
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