Seven Aging Secrets
Do people open doors for you with a smile and say, “Age before beauty?” Do you have ear hair? Do you order Blue Plate Specials? If so, you’re older. Many people cringe at the thought of wrinkles and the impending loss of their youthful visage. Don’t be one of these people. Aging is cool, and it might be the best thing that ever happens to you. Either way, you can’t fight it.
Here are seven secrets about aging that might help you usher in your golden years with ease.
It Gets Better…
Getting older means getting wiser, and being wiser makes life better. Graceful aging can seem difficult to younger generations, but it’s neither difficult nor uncommon. It’s not that you want to “go gently into that good night,” it’s that age brings a tacit understanding of what’s really important in life.
It Gets Worse…
Creaky joints, the need for more sleep, and a sluggish metabolism are a few things you’ll experience as you age. Your children may act like they don’t need you anymore. Your job may become obsolete. “Senior moments” become more frequent. Don’t worry, it happens to everyone! Aging, however, can be combated with proper self-care, a balanced lifestyle, and making the effort to remain plugged in
It Costs More…
A lot more. Think six figures. Hopefully, your salary has steadily increased and you’ve saved frugally in preparation for retirement. As you age, doctor’s appointments often become more expensive, more time-consuming, and more frequent. You never thought those rock concerts of your youth would put you in specialized hearing aids, but now you’ve got four appointments in two weeks. And elder care, like nursing homes and assisted living, is expensive.
You Get Better Seats…
You can hop a line, get the AARP discount, and people give up their seats for you. Even if you’re nowhere near senile, acting that way might make it easier and quicker for you to get through the daily grind. Maybe you don’t have bad knees, but if you want to switch seats with a twenty-something on a plane, go ahead and use that excuse. You’ve earned the extra leg room and the extra consideration.
You Mature Emotionally As Well As Physically…
If you live long enough, your parents will die. You might outlive your siblings, partner, or friends. Any number of horrible things can happen on a long enough timeline. As you age, the dramas of your younger years will (hopefully) begin to seem trite, and simple happiness and quality of life should take priority. As your bones become more brittle and your hair turns gray, it’s imperative that you recognize and respect changes in your heart and mind, as well.
Failure Is Never Fatal…
If you live long enough, you’re bound to screw up something really important. Whether you lose your spouse, your dream job, or your home gets repossessed, with aging comes life’s hard knocks. But here’s the secret: The sun will come up tomorrow, and so will you. Relieve yourself of the pressures of youth and be proud to accept that screwing up is simply a part of life.
Sex Gets Hotter…
Especially for women. Studies show that women’s sexual satisfaction increases with age, even if desire for frequent coupling diminishes. The American Journal of Medicine published a study to this effect in January of 2012. But sizzling sheets isn’t the full story. Even a majority of those who infrequently or never have sex report being satisfied with their sex lives. No matter if your golden years are frisky or fried, satisfaction is in the cards.
Do you have a secret to aging gracefully? I’d love to know what makes you feel getting older…is better.
About the Author
Lois Young-Tulin, PhD, is an Assistant Geriatric Care Manager at Complete Care Strategies