187. Thoughts On Turning 60 And Aging Positively

Aging in Style with Lori Williams

'What should I know to age well?'

I just turned 60, and this has brought up a lot of thoughts. You might be surprised to hear none are negative, but that’s because I honestly feel blessed to be here. (Aging isn't a guarantee!) My life has been full of ups and downs, and many of my plans didn’t go exactly the way I wanted them to. Still, I can say it all worked out in the end.

As a senior living expert, I also interact with many amazing people in their 80s, 90s and even 100s every day. Many have a positive mindset around aging as well! The ones that seem happiest have quite a few things in common, and I’ve compiled the trends into a list of 5 ways to age well and maintain a good mindset in life. They are:

1. Stay physically active. Keep moving, whether you dance a few minutes each day, take walks, or play pickleball.

2. Find what fulfills you. Do you like to give back and volunteer? Keep doing that. Work a part-time job you enjoy. You still have something to give no matter your age.

3. Stay social. Whether it’s through church or a local senior center, find a place to connect with others. Even if you just have a neighbor you run errands with, that’s a great way to be social.

4. Learn a new skill. Some colleges offer courses specifically for seniors, but you can also teach yourself a new language with a phone app or try gardening.

5. Keep your brain healthy. Read a book, do crossword puzzles, or try something to keep firing those neural connections in your brain.

My personal addition is to also find ways to have fun. Getting older doesn’t mean you have to be serious! In fact, author Katharine Esty shared on an earlier episode of my podcast that people in their 80s tend to be happier than those in their 40s. In fact, many people begin an upward trajectory of happiness in their middle age.

Of course, bad things happen in life – loved ones get sick, we deal with different challenges with work – that’s inevitable. But it’s so important to stay positive. No matter how old you are, you have something to give. You can reinvent yourself and have fun. Just look at Iris Apfel, who became a model at 97!

Topics discussed:

- Tips for aging

- Ways to stay active as a senior

- Finding fulfillment

- The important of being social

- Learning at any age

- Positive / opportunity mindsets

- Happiness and aging

Takeaways from this episode:

- Staying social is a matter of longevity. We saw the impact of this during the pandemic - those who were isolated quickly declined both mentally and physically.

- Many older folks feel the freedom of not caring what others think. This doesn’t mean being mean to others, but they live authentic and true to who they are.

- No matter your age, you can still do amazing things. It’s all about your mindset.

- Find what you’re passionate about and engage wholeheartedly. Whether that’s gardening, learning something new, volunteering, or going to church.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

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For more senior resources and to sign up for the newsletter, please visit:

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https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/

OLLI Program for Seniors:

https://olli.utexas.edu/

Aging like a Guru:

https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/1b03bf02/078-aging-like-a-guru

Doug's story:

https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/57a002ea/060-96-years-young-world-war-ii-vet-the-most-inspirational-senior-i-know-meet-doug-brown

A practical guide to letting go and find unexpected happiness with Katharine Esty:

https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/dd31a7b3/089-a-practical-guide-to-letting-go-and-finding-unexpected-happiness-with-katharine-esty-phd