The Beauty of Aging

ByLeslie Sokol

Life and aging are the greatest gifts we ever receive. Aging is a natural process with lots of advantages and positive benefits. As we enter our golden years, we find ourselves in a new stage of opportunity and strength. Our lifetime experiences have taught us resilience, patience and determination and we acquire a greater sense of acceptance and awareness. Throughout our lives, most of us have accomplished many great things. As we get older, we become wiser and calmer. We seem to have so many more choices in our later days and staying active increases our opportunities to live our best lives.

Being mindful about aging has positive effects on our physical, mental, and emotional health. When we stay connected to our inner feelings, we feel more content, confident and happy. Aging is awesome and there are many positive ways to view the process. Optimism and hope are always the best paths to take.

Here are some reasons to celebrate getting older:

  • We have more choices
  • Our relationships are richer
  • We receive more discounts
  • We’re now the grownups with answers
  • We worry less
  • We have more free time 

The body is made to move no matter what age you are. It’s never too late to improve your health. Being active and exercising are crucial as you age and the benefits are endless. The best advice for healthy aging includes being physically active, eating well and maintaining a healthy connection with friends and family. Your chronological age does not indicate how old you really are. For example, I have students that are in their 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. Some of my students in their 90’s are in the best shape of all my students and it just goes to show that everyone ages differently.

Exercise can help people age with grace. Aerobic activity can improve heart health, blood circulation, strengthen the immune system, burn calories, and release natural feel-good endorphins. Weight bearing exercises strengthen our muscles and joints and also puts pressure on bones which can help prevent bone loss and create new tissue.

How do we find that inner beauty to shine through as we get older? We embrace self-acceptance no matter what age we are. We focus on nurturing our physical and mental well-being, embrace life-long learning, and foster a positive outlook no matter what challenges we have. We also make sure to treat others kindly, discover new things we care about, practice gratitude, and reflect on our beliefs about what matters most in the world.  

The goal of optimal aging is to attain a higher level of function and a slower rate of decline through life. We all strive to live longer and sustain functional independence and quality of life into our later years. That’s the beauty of aging. Be healthy and happy! 

This article originally appeared in the Ventura Breeze.

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