Old Age Blues
Growing older can seem like a scary thing, after all, you don’t know how your body will change or the feelings you might develop. But the reality is, many old age myths simply aren’t true, and there’s plenty of good stuff to get excited about.
1. No More Intimacy
Many people worry about their performance as they grow older, worries that their body might fail them or they won’t be able to feel things the same way anymore. However, there are many solutions to these problems, and many seniors continue to enjoy intimacy well into their life.
2. Your Body Will Fail
As we get older, we worry about our bodies becoming frail and weak, and it feels like some diseases are completely unavoidable. For instance, it’s believed that arthritis is inevitable, but this is a major myth. There are many steps you can take to reduce arthritis risk, and many seniors go on without it.
3. Loneliness
Many seniors worry about becoming lonely as their children move on and their friend groups start to dwindle. But this isn’t the case, as there are many groups and programs exclusive to the age group. The friends are certainly out there, you just have to be willing to try.
4. No More Driving
The U.S. has an aging population, and as the years go on, tens of millions more people will join the ranks of drivers over the age of 65. Unless you have any physical ailments stopping you from driving, you don’t have to give up your license anytime soon.
5. Old People Shouldn’t Exercise
It’s a well-known fact that physical activity is needed to combat obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. But at the same time, it’s said that sports and physical activity are too much for older people as they are too frail or weak. But the reality is that even older people need continued physical activity to maintain a strong body.
6. Anti-Aging Skincare
Many seniors think they need to spend hundreds, and sometimes even thousands, of dollars to keep the years off their face. But most of these creams are full of dangerous chemicals and rarely work. Instead, experts recommend embracing your age and using sunscreen and healthy hydration habits to retain the young look for as long as possible – if that’s important to you.
7. New Tricks
There’s a saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” and many seniors seem to abide by this. They’re a bit too nervous to learn new things, and will say that these skills “go over their head.” But the reality is that seniors are scientifically capable of learning new skills, studying new subjects, and gaining new perspectives. In fact, they should strive to do so, as it helps with brain health too.
8. Cognitive Function
Scary illnesses like dementia often come up when we think about aging, but the reality is cognitive diseases are not a normal part of aging and only impact about one-third of the population over 85. You can stay ahead of these illnesses by taking proactive action and keeping your mind sharp.
9. Less Sleep
It’s known that younger children need long hours of sleep, which eventually equals out to a solid seven to eight hours when you become an adult. While it is true that seniors need less sleep than adults, this is only by one hour to a half hour, and they should still aim for six to seven hours every night.
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10. Weight Gain is Unavoidable
It’s also believed that seniors can’t help but gain weight, which is because their metabolism is getting slower and they simply can’t burn it off anymore. While this is somewhat true, many seniors are able to keep off the weight by eating smart, staying physical, and mitigating their stress through yoga or meditation.
Now that we have talked about old age myths, here are 10 truths to get excited about!
1. Wiser Than Ever
Many people say wisdom comes with age, and they’re not wrong to think so. The reality is the more life experience you garner, the smarter and wiser you become. Your knowledge makes you valuable, and you’re able to understand the world and the people in it better.
2. Financial Stability
As children, we’re completely dependent on our parents. Then we’re usually trying to settle into our career and gain some financial capability during our 20s, and in this economy, likely our 30s too. But by your senior years, you’ve established some savings and likely have a retirement plan in flux, and that’s definitely comforting.
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3. No More Work
One of the best parts about hitting retirement age is obviously retiring. You no longer have to wake up at 9 am and work away until 5, 6, or 7 pm. Instead, the day is entirely yours, whether you wanna sleep it away or pursue some timely hobbies.
4. You Know What You Want
After spending so many decades living with yourself, you have a very strong sense of self and purpose. You know exactly who you are and what you want, and that makes it easier to prioritize the things that make you happy rather than waste time on things that don’t.
5. Saying No
Speaking of prioritizing happiness, it also becomes easier to say no. Age provides a strong sense of clarity, and it’s easier than ever to omit people who do nothing but stress you out. You know what you want and what you’re worth, so saying no has never been easier.
6. Comfortable Living
As a younger person, you might have to fight for space from siblings or contend with roommates. Even children of your own can take up a lot of space. But as a senior, you finally have that empty nest all to yourself, and there’s nothing more comfortable than peace of mind.
7. An Efficiency Master
By now, you’ve also got your life down to a seamless machine. You have a chore schedule, you have a pet you love, and you know exactly how to do the most with as little time as needed. You’ve essentially mastered your life. But the neat thing is, even if you haven’t figured it all out, you’re clearly doing something right because here you are still striving decades later!
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8. You Care Less
Maybe you’re just physically tired or a little mentally checked out, but the truth is that the pressure of other people’s opinions just doesn’t last when you age. You’re no longer striving to be perfect or to make something of your life. It’s actually kind of relaxing, as you kick your feet up and enjoy the life you have rather than fuss about it.
9. Communication Wizard
You’ve essentially learned so much about life, that you probably have a hack or solution for every problem the universe throws at you. You’ve also likely learned that communication is key, and by now you know all the tricks to getting your points across.
10. The Good Stuff
Life is full of both good and bad stuff, from work to stress, to friends and parties. As a senior, you can focus on the good now. Plan vacations, have cozy evenings in, and do whatever you want whenever you want.
