Healthy Aging and Acceptance of Change

Our last post proposed some ways to practice mindfulness. This accepting awareness of the present moment helps us get in better touch with ourselves and our surroundings. With these surroundings in mind, we see now that the leaves are beginning to change color. This transformation to our environment is a reminder that colder days are coming. It is also a reminder of the inevitability of change. September is Healthy Aging Month, which serves to recognize the importance of maintaining a lifestyle that promotes our well-being throughout life's different stages. This article highlights the importance of accepting those changes and taking action towards healthy aging.

Challenges related to aging are not unique to “old age”. Everyone is in a constant state of change. Just as the leaves shift hues, our physical bodies are also constantly evolving during our lives. How we perceive and adjust to this change is significant to our well-being. For example, our attitudes towards the changes we see when we look in the mirror may impact our entire experience. If I believe that the wrinkles on my face are a sign that I am growing “old and incapable”, they may become a daily reminder that upsets me. Thus, we begin to see how important our attitudes towards aging are. If I don't mind growing older because I know that each stage contains a new set of both gifts and trials, then the wrinkles on my face will no longer cause distress. The core belief has changed. Instead, the wrinkles can be a reminder that I have, can, and will adapt to change with this accepting attitude. I have experience. I now see challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. Adjusting to these changes isn't always easy, but if we can learn to accept them it can help make our lives easier at any stage. 

We must also remember that these changes are not always physical, and that our mental state also deserves our attention. For example, it may be difficult to enter middle school as we experience a roller-coaster ride of changes to our bodies, our surroundings, our emotions, and how we respond to all of it. Different stages in life pose different challenges. But when we take a step back, we understand that the challenges themselves become the unchanging factors that are always there. These neverending obstacles on our path can be accepted as inevitability, but that acceptance doesn't have to be a bad thing when it is shared with other aspects of our character that help us overcome the hardships. Please feel free to share below what helpful characteristics might be combined with acceptance for a better life.

This acceptance of change does not necessarily mean giving up, either. There is a difference between giving up and giving in. Giving up can be considered throwing in the towel and relinquishing your power to take steps towards healthy aging. On the other hand, giving in might be surrendering to the fact that change is coming, even after some resistance to it. This surrender doesn't have to be negative. In fact, it can be quite liberating to no longer fear the tests you know are around the corner. Thus, acceptance paired with the ability to adjust and take action towards healthy aging, no matter the life stage, can be an important step in itself. Simply put, if we accept that change is coming and respond with a plan, we can live life more comfortably. 

There are parts of our human experience that are beyond our control, but there are also things we can control. Remembering that our attitude towards change affects our well-being is important in taking control of our lives. Knowing we have the power to take active steps towards a healthier life, no matter what our age is, means that we are never giving up. Rather, we can walk along our own paths understanding that they might be treacherous at times, yet still continue to move forward anyways. In this way, we can choose to accept both the blessings and challenges that we meet along our journey, understanding that each is an inevitable part of life. Just as the environment’s transformation is beautiful, the changes we experience over time can be too. We just have to be alright with those changes first.

Here are some examples of proactive steps towards healthy aging based on scientific research:

• Exercise regularly - pursue activities you enjoy that also improve your brain function, strengthen your body and mobility, and reduce risk of chronic disease

• Engage socially - connecting with others improves your network, decreases isolation and loneliness, and promotes community and security

• Never stop learning - challenging yourself by learning new skills keeps your mind active and slows cognitive decline

• Act according to your values - living in line with individualized values has been found to foster acceptance and buffer against age-related difficulties

• Develop purpose - having a sense of meaning and purpose can contribute to resilience and the ability to cope with stress

Do you find these suggestions helpful, or do you have your own strategies for embracing change? Share your thoughts in the comments to keep the conversation going!

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