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Fifty, but not over-the-hill
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Why is it that some people seem to age more gracefully than others?
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Satya just celebrated her 50th birthday. She is fit and very mindful about what she eats. She knows that old age cannot be staved off indefinitely but she wants to postpone it as much as she can. She wants to know what she can do to remain agile, sup
ple, and in good physical and mental shape.
Stay engaged in life
Isolation and loneliness are the adversaries of good health. Stay engaged in life without being interfering or domineering. It is essential to be contented and happy. Keep your heart and mind open to new experiences and friendships. Join a club or a volunteer group. Make yourself indispensable. You should be the one people think of when things need to get done. Keep in touch with old classmates.
You may have spent the better part of your life putting your dreams on hold because your husband or children were the first priority. Now is the time to pursue your passions. Set realistic yet challenging goals.
Bitterness against events or people is like a worm that silently eats away at the soul. Count your blessings. Most important, forgive and forget. The balm of forgiveness will smooth the wrinkles of advancing age.
Mental agility
The mind has to be kept fit or will sag just like under exercised muscles. Learn and develop new skills. Read because it stimulates the mind. Keep abreast of current events.
Sudoku has been shown to keep the mind alert. Learn a new word every day (visit http://wordsmith.org
/awad/subscribe.html.).
Being in the presence of younger people will keep your mind alert. You can also be useful by being a role model for the younger generation. Vocally and by example, teach the younger generation the values that matter in today’s world.
Stress can accelerate aging. Learn to release stress. channel Take up exercise, gardening, or music. Get fresh air. Walking too promotes health immeasurably.
Do stretching exercises to prevent age-related stiffness. Discover the benefits of a massage - it’s a good way to sretch the muscles and relieve chronic pain.
Laugh often; it’s good for you. Laughter has a multi-pronged health benefit. Endorphins are released in the brain and this keeps you feeling good for a long time.
Have the courage to leave unhealthy environments and relationships. Have a financial plan in place which will give you the freedom to live life on your own terms.
Most important, learn to be optimistic about life. Don’t bemoan the part of your life that has slipped away; instead, celebrate the life that stretches ahead of you. Look forward to each newly minted morning, which essentially means that you should not turn to the obituary page first when you open the newspaper!
GITA ARJUN
(The author is a Chennai-based obstetrician and gynaecologist)
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
Puducherry
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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