Middle Age: 3 Tips to Survive Getting Older

It's a fact of life, each day we all get older... and another fact of getting older is that at some time in your life (if it hasn't already happened) you will get to middle age. Ooooohhhhhh Nnnoooooo!

As talked about in a previous post on Mid Life, mid life is the normal process of getting older... it usually happens at around 40 years of age and can continue for another 20 or so years.

Many people dread getting older, and reaching middle age, for all kinds of reasons:

• many roles they've had for a number of years, e.g. children very dependent on them, are no longer appropriate and therefore vanished
• they feel they will become a burden to others
• their body will begin to deteriorate e.g. eyesight, aches and pains, increased risk of getting sick, lessening of strength, energy and stamina
• they will experience aches and pains from arthritis usually associated with getting older
• they are no longer useful
• they will lose their memory
• they will be seen by society, especially the younger generation, as a useless silly old "fogie"
• that it is downhill from now on!

... and a million other reasons!

Certainly things will change in your life (particularly in your body) as you get older, but it isn't all doom and gloom.  There are many things you can do to live a fulfilling and happy life as you get older.

Here are 3 suggestions to survive getting older:

• get involved in something away from your family: frequently as people get older they rely more on more on their family to provide all the support and stimulation they need.  Find something you are interested in... and pursue it.  Whether it is a voluntary activity you can participate in the community, or whether it is getting involved and learning about something you've always wanted to learn or do, but never had the time to do it.   
• if you are retired, or have reduced your hours or workload, it's imperative you take up or pursue an interest that will be fulfilling for you.  One of the biggest mistakes people make when going into retirement, whether by choice or by necessity (e.g. being retrenched), or cutting down working hours, is they don't plan for it.  Remember... not working full time means you have extra hours and extra energy on your hands.  When thinking about reducing your work commitments... begin planning what you are going to do instead of working long before it happens.
• keep yourself healthy... getting older doesn't give you a ticket to sit back watching TV all day, eat what you like, not exercising.  Many people are frightened of the increased potential for getting sick,  aches and pains associated with getting older... Do yourself and your body a huge favour and keep active, have a healthy diet, don't become a couch potato...

Getting older isn't the beginning of the end of your life... getting older is a magical opportunity to begin to do the things you want to do, have always wanted to do but never had the chance to...

Take control of your life... and enjoy the journey!  It truly is a wonderful period of your life (I know, because I'm going through it now).

The choice is yours!

Let me know how you are feeling about getting older ... click on a comment link below and share your thoughts and experiences.  I'd love to hear from you!

Warmly
Jeanne

PS... if you could do with support and guidance in achieving a goal or changing your life in some way... I invite you to join my 4 Week E-Mail Mentoring Program... find out more and sign up at http://www.aspirationsplus.com/4wkementprom.html

Comments

[Jennifer]

No old age problems for me until the last year, and all of a sudden I am tired and don't feel well a lot of the time. 40? no. 60.

It has not been gradual. Golf, play bridge, work, travel, friends, gardening, lake house upkeep, etc....been too busy to get old. Just my body giving out??
Jen

[Process Analysis,Australia]

Just to be healthy.... good job .. thanks for sharing

[sudden memory loss]

Great post, I hope that my memory stays sharp when I get old.

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