Aging isn’t the beginning of the end of your life—it’s another phase that enables you to redefine it.

From the desk of Miles Everson:

Hi!

I hope you’re having a great week so far.

Every Friday in my “Mindfulness by Miles” articles, I talk about health, wealth, well-being, happiness, future of work, book reviews, marketing, tips, etc. in the hopes of empowering you to thrive in your personal and career life.

Today, I want to talk about a topic many often dread: Aging.

Keep reading below why growing old isn’t such a bad thing and how we can all age gracefully.

Aging isn’t the beginning of the end of your life—it’s another phase that enables you to redefine it.

What comes to your mind when you think of aging?

For many, the word conjures images of grey hairs, decline, and a journey towards frailty.

While this perspective isn’t wrong in itself, it often overlooks the enriching and empowering aspects that come with growing older.

Growing Old Shouldn’t Scare Us

One of the most significant benefits of aging is the accumulation of wisdom and experience.

As we grow older, we’re often put in a position to develop a greater sense of acceptance of ourselves, leading to better self-awareness that’s conducive for empathy and understanding—qualities that are necessary in improved relationships and social interactions.

However, there’s still a stigma surrounding getting old, as it is often associated with cognitive and physical decline.

In her book titled, “Aging Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives on Getting Older,” social gerontologist and community educator Jeanette Leardi challenges the way how getting old is perceived.

According to her, instead of looking at aging as a downward spiral, we should look at it as an opportunity to grow and redefine ourselves.

To do this, Leardi says we need to change how we think about aging and abandon the notion that getting old is something to be fought or tolerated.

… but how do we exactly cultivate a perspective that puts aging in a positive light?

Leardi provides us with answers:

• Abandon ageist concepts .

  Terms like “silver tsunami" often paint older people in a negative light, and Leardi argues that it implies older people are a threat.

  As a counterpoint, she proposes believing in the term “silver reservoir”—a concept that highlights the accumulated wisdom, skills, and experiences older adults can bring to society.

• Put one’s accumulated skills to use .

  Leardi argues that instead of letting preconceived notions such as age discrimination and assumptions about declining abilities affect them, older people should use the skills they’ve acquired over the years to good use.

  This includes volunteer work, being a mentor, or even starting a business.

• Explore alternative perspectives .

  Instead of conceiving aging as a linear path of decline, Leardi encourages people to consider getting old as a pathway to new opportunities and unexplored paths.

  She says undertaking this path fosters a sense of purpose, further reinforcing the idea that growth and discovery do not stop as we get older.

• Foster intergenerational bonds .

  Older adults can enhance their quality of life by building supportive social networks.

  To accomplish this, Leardi encourages embracing intergenerational connections by forming bonds with people of all ages.

Aside from Leardi’s tips, you can age gracefully by doing the following:

• Prioritize physical activity
• Adopt a balanced diet
• Make sure to get enough sleep
• Keep the mind active
• Live in the moment
• Avoid harmful habits

See?

Aging doesn’t have to be perceived negatively. Instead, it should be thought of as an opportunity for renewal and rejuvenation!

By shifting how you think about getting older and acknowledging its positive aspects, you can age gracefully into a more fulfilling and fruitful life.

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