Aging with health and positivity comes down to 11 easy-to-follow steps
It seems amazing that I’ve provided articles for the Topeka Capital-Journal for nearly six years.
This is my 300th article. Although I’ve written hundreds more, they were in the service of my career in senior housing — in other words, they were used for commercial purposes.
People always ask me how I think of a topic each week, which is a challenge sometimes. But if you’re a frequent reader, you know I may write thousands of words, but the themes are narrow.
In honor of number 300, I’m giving you a condensed version of all my writing.
Celebrate every birthday. You are among the fortunate if you’ve had many. Age is your advantage.
Endless TV watching is deadly. As my friend Roger said, “You always remind me to get off my butt and go do something!” Keep moving.
Be socially active. Friendships, families, coffee groups, church fellowship, sports gatherings, food with friends and anything that provides conversations are life-giving.
Live in the right place at the right time. Downsize before you have to. Get rid of stuff! Aging in place still needs to be done in the right place.
Plan for a future, not just the future. In other words, get your end-of-life documents and funeral plans completed. Then, plan for what you are doing next that excites you.
Exercise your brain. Games, hobbies, reading, writing, art, memorization, etc., all create neuroplasticity.
Be an instrument of inspiration to others. Be that positive, loving, forgiving, happy person that attracts others. Being negative is a waste of time, and we may not have much. Laugh, laugh, and laugh some more. Be a fountain, not a drain!
Pursue your spiritual path. As Father Richard Rohr says, “Aging is enlightenment at gunpoint.” Choose a path and pursue it.
Talk to your loved ones about end-of-life decisions and your wishes. Write your obituary, and plan your funeral.
Oh yes, do your best to eat healthy, drink responsibly, watch your weight, exercise and get a regular physical. But if you’ve made it to 70-plus, I think the other 10 topics are more important.
You have one glorious life to live; don’t waste it. We have no idea how much time we have so don’t put off anything.
So, this is your Reader’s Digest condensed version — that periodical dates you — I will continue to write each week on the same topics. You might ask, “Does she practice what she preaches?” I keep repeating myself in hopes I’ll take my own advice.
In that case, I’ll write several hundred more.
Find Connie's book, "Daily Cures: Wisdom for Healthy Aging," at www.justnowoldenough.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Aging with health and positivity comes down to these 11 easy steps