I remember my Dad saying to me a few years ago that when he looks in the mirror he sees this old man staring back at him and he cannot understand as he still feels like a 30 year old on the inside. 

Well my father is celebrating  his 87th birthday this Saturday and in traditional Australian style we will all gather for a bar-b-cue. 

When I say all, I mean his 10 children, 30 something grand-children and half a dozen great grand-children and of course, my Mum.  I have been thinking about what he said a few years ago and its only now that I understand and can identify what he means. 

I went back to work full time recently only to be told quite nicely that I was in fact the oldest person in the Company!  Now in my defence I can only say that being a web development studio that doesnt necessarily mean I am that old as typically most people in this industry are quite young.  Anyway the comment rattled me a bit and when I went home that night took a good long look in the mirror. 

My goodness he was right!  Age had begun to creep up on me without me noticing.  I still feel in my twenties in so many ways but am struggling to understand how the world sees me.  Even when I go to buy something to wear I now have reached the point of questioning appropriateness for my age!  Can you believe it!  Where in the rule book is it written that we have some dress code we are to adhere to once we reach a certain age?  I want to fight it and wear what the hell I want to regardless of what anyone thinks and then I have to stop myself…..the children, what will they think? 

My children are all in their mid twenties but who wants to see their Mum strutting her stuff in a mini skirt? 

So as I think about my father’s impending birthday celebrations I remember my daughter saying to me once “Mum  you will never be this beautiful again, so get out there and wear whatever you want!  I think age is such an over-rated topic, and society really imposes all sorts of ideas on what we should and shouldnt do or think or wear and I say “to hell with it, we pass this way but once, make the most of it!”

Written by

MaryAnn Roche

It really does pay to  take care of your mind and body as you grow older. To make this decision to care for yourself will enable you to slow the aging process down somewhat and also allow you to enjoy your older years, maintaining overall fitness and an active brain.

When you take care of yourself, it slows the aging process and you can stay fit and alert well into your senior years.

The major areas to focus on to maintain  optimum health are diet, exercise and activity that keeps your brain active. When you pay attention to these key health elements, you can help yourself to stay young and slow down the aging process.

Here are some excellent anti-aging techniques for you to try daily:

1. Take antioxidants as they are vital to your health. They reduce free radicals that are known to contribute to common diseases in aging individuals.
  Note that fresh fruit and vegetables are an excellent source of antioxidants.  Including a daily vitamin is also important.

2. Exercise and strength training. Exercise keeps your body strong and helps fight off any infection and stops the body from breaking down. Not only will you feel better, but you’ll also get a lot healthier at the same time!

Exercise provides:

* Increased stamina
* Greater muscle strength
* Better balance
* Clarity in thinking
* A stronger immune system

3. Stay alert and sharp. You can keep your brain sharp by being constantly aware of your surroundings. This sounds rather simple, but how often do we let loose and daydream, instead of focusing on the present? When you stay alert, you’re fully present in the moment and you’re better able to make quick and accurate decisions.  Undertake activities such as puzzles and crosswords that help keep your brain active.

4. Try to constantly learn new things. Remember your brain need constant stimulation. You can easily avoid this by keeping your brain active via constant learning and reading.

* A simple tip is to vary your routines and strive to learn something new each day.

5. Challenge yourself. It always helps to use the problem solving portions of your brain. These skills need to be utilized and if they aren’t, will fade over time.  Puzzles and games are a great way to keep your brain active.

6. Don’t stress over health issues. You see statistics everywhere about certain health conditions that are more likely to affect you as you age. Of course it is important to be aware and to always  be checked by your physician, but don’t waste your precious time worrying about an illness you may never get.
* Ease your stress by taking action to strengthen your health instead of worrying.

7. Get an adequate amount of sleep. Getting enough sleep at night is very important for maintaining good health. 6-8 hours every night is the number you should be working toward. Your body and mind need that time to recoup, and you may be more susceptible to stress or disease without it.

8. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Smoking is a guaranteed way of putting your health at risk and not only that, but it ages your skin and the rest of your body. The harsh reality is that you are shortening your lifespan if you choose to smoke. If you do smoke, then I would strongly suggest breaking this habit as soon as possible. When it comes to alcohol, small amounts here and there won’t cause much harm, but drinking can be a slippery slope into disease if you abuse it.

9. Look after your skin.  I cannot stress this enough, you must moisturize and moisturize and stay out of the sun.  The sun quite simply will age and damage your skin, quicker than anything.  Be sure to establish a daily skin care routine and try beneficial anti-aging gels and creams.

10. Reduce grains and sugar in your diet. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables maintains good health and keeps your calorie intake at an acceptable level. Remember, carbohydrates are necessary for your nutrition, but is eaten in excess they contribute to increasing your insulin levels and speeding up the aging process.

If you include these strategies every day, you’ll notice a big difference in the way you look and feel. Getting older doesn’t have to be synonymous with deterioration. Begin right now to take care of your body and mind and it will serve you well in your later years.

By

MaryAnn Roche