Wellness

[Puzzle Piece]

I agree, it can be what state your health must be, so it's wise to care for your health continually. Also, I think it's your state of mind or your personality. I can be with a nice warm friendly person of any age and don't feel I'm with someone who is old or too young. Personality does come into play.

[Suzeecat]

Don't say "old" like it's a bad thing. There's really nothing wrong with being old. I'm 59 and tell people that I'm old all the time. That doesn't mean that I sit in my rocking chair knitting all day! I do everything I ever did in my 20s, 30s and 40s. I have to scale back on things from time to time and I'm definitely more careful, knowing that if something breaks that I won't bounce back the way I used to. People tell me all the time that I don't look my age, and I certainly don't feel "old" but yes, according to the numbers, I am old and I need to respect that. It happens, there's no use hiding or covering it up. Make the best of it and by all means, get those senior discounts, LOL!!!!

[jerseygirl1]

I am 63 but don't consider myself old. I truly think it's because my DH and I eat a clean diet, lots of fruit and veggies, low carb, grass fed meats and wild caught fish. We eat very few grains, some brown rice or quinoa on occasion. We also exercise regularly, at least an hour a day, sweating is important. We operate on two principles "You are what you eat." and "Move it or lose it." That works well for us.

We have grand babies and have no problem crawling around down on the floor with them. I was just talking to my DH about that the other day, when our children were babies our parents were much younger than we are today and yet......they were much older physically and mentally.

[Sooner]

Someone mentioned "respect" and to me that is the crux of the issue right there. If all of us who are old admit it, are not ashamed of it, and don't let others make us ashamed of that, we are respecting who we are. That's the only way to get rid of the stigma associated with being old.

[HORSINGMOM]

I have to keep reminding my hubby that it's just a number. He turns 65 this December and is getting bombarded with Medicare information, etc. He has his medical issues, but, is still very active and although he retired from the military, he is teaching masters level business courses and loves it. We went to a baseball game with the university staff and students this weekend and many, many 20-somethings came up to him, just to chat. I told him, if he wasn't cool, they wouldn't be seeking him out. He thoroughly enjoyed showing off his grandson and introducing everyone to his 30 year old son and DIL.

It's how you take care of your body, and your mind. Be open to new ideas and be friendly and approachable.

[Moonchilde]

It could be that you took them too seriously/too literally. I turned 65 last week, and I was telling people I was now "officially old" - but as a joke. And yes, society (and Medicare) does consider someone "officially old" at 65 - but that doesn't necessarily mean each person really considers themselves "old" just because a day has passed. Due to heredity, my mobility isn't what it used to be (arthritis and orthopedic issues), and my opinions and attitudes have changed a bit due to time and life lived experience. I know (and totally don't care) that this makes me old in some people's eyes. I know better. I am mostly young at heart, never want to stop learning, and love new technology. I will be "old" and ready to go when literally nothing interests me any more, but i've got a long way to go ;-)

[auntgranny]

With each birthday, you are closer to death and no one wants to die.

[Puzzle Piece]

On 7/28/2014 auntgranny said:

With each birthday, you are closer to death and no one wants to die.

I dunno. I do know that there are infants born who don't stay around too long but they aren't considered old - didn't have too many birthdays.

[NanciJ]

If a person has a preconceived belief that certain numerical ages mean that life is nolonger a positive experience....then you are going to miss out on a lot of living, regardless of your age. I'm almost 65, and my DH is weeks from his 70th birthday, and we're both pretty upbeat. I think that often people give up on life, and that's a slippery slope to life literally ending.

[CaliSunShine]

Dr. Mario Martinez has done extensive studies on centenarians, and he has found that people who live long, rich, full lives don't relate to themselves in terms of a number. He says you, "Age at the rate of your beliefs." So, if you think 65 is old then you mind will adopt the thoughts and behavior of what you perceive an old person would.

There’s a great interview with him on You Tube called “How Culture Influences Aging” that discusses this in detail. It’s really quite fascinating. He also has a book on the subject called The Mind Boy Code.