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Coping with the Aging Process

January 30, 2015

Discussing-Anonymous-Recovery-GroupsHave you ever felt stressed about the aging process? If yes, you are not alone. Many people worry about getting older, and sometimes, this type of stress increases with age. However, one of the healthiest things you can do for your body is employ positive thinking. What are some positive aspects of getting older? Do you feel better about yourself and your circumstances if you consider these things?

We can come back to this question later. For now, let’s take a closer look at why the aging process can be so stressful and the benefits you can reap by thinking good thoughts.

Why Does Aging Stress People Out?

There are many reasons why getting older causes people to experience worry and stress — here are just a few:

  • Illness may become more of an issue
  • Children leave the nest to attend school or start their own families
  • Retirement is on the horizon

Of course, there are other reasons why aging can be difficult to deal with. To read more about the common struggles we experience as we age, click here: http://www.cmha.ca/mental-health/your-mental-health/aging/.

Healthy Tips For Coping With Aging

While aging isn’t easy, it can be dealt with in a healthy manner. Here are a few tips to help you foster this type of positive thinking:

  • Get yourself the physical help you need — As we all know, aging brings physical changes. It can be tempting to deny this reality, but it will help if you acknowledge the changes that are taking place and try your best to assist yourself. For example, if your hearing is diminishing, see a doctor about possibly getting a hearing aid. Do what you need to do to care for yourself physically as you age.
  • Avoid weight gain – A lot of people put on weight as they age. You can help yourself avoid this by gaining muscle and keeping your metabolism “young.” Eating a balanced diet will also help you maintain your weight.
  • Cultivate positive thinking — Do you feel that aging means you will lose your independence? That’s not necessarily true. “Chances are you will still be able to do almost all the things you used to (as you age); you may just need to take a little more time and learn to pace yourself.” One way you can do this is to choose to think positively about aging as it relates to your abilities and lifestyle.

How Do You Cope With Aging?

In her book Counterclockwise, Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer, PHD, writes about her three-decade study on the “mind-body phenomenon.” Ultimately, she has come to find that your physical age does not determine your emotional age. According to a quiz she created for Oprah.com, Langer believes that “…how old you feel may be just as important as how old you are.” Take Langer’s quiz and learn about your emotional age. Click here: http://www.oprah.com/health/Subjective-Age-Quiz-Psychological-Age-Quiz.

Have you had a hard time dealing with the fact that you are getting older? If so, what aspects of aging cause you to feel stress or fear? It’s often helpful to discuss such topics. Please consider commenting in the “Reply” section below. Share your thoughts about the aging process and tell us how you remain positive through these struggles.

 

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