Last week I celebrated my
79th birthday with two birthday cakes in one day. My sisters and
sister-in-law met me at a restaurant the day after my birthday for lunch gifts
and a chocolate cake, my favorite. It was on a Saturday, a day after my
birthday when no one was working.
That evening my son had
me come over to his house for pizza and a Dairy Queen cake. I had told him not
to get me any gifts because there wasn’t anything I needed, and he’s been
mowing part of my lawn.
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| On the fireplace in my sun room |
I was getting birthday
cards the whole week before my birthday from people I didn’t even realize they
knew it was my birthday.
Now that seems like a
very old age that could make me feel I’m nearing the end of my life, but
because I get AARP and Reader’s Digest I’ve read articles that let me know the
best ways to stay healthy and live to a long age.
Some facts I’ve learned is that gardening is good for you, and a lot of older people, especially women garden. That includes me.
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| This is just one of many gardens |
Some facts I’ve learned is that gardening is good for you, and a lot of older people, especially women garden. That includes me.
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| My lawnmower stopped while I took a short break. |
Exercising is important.
(I have to admit I don’t do much of that except for walking in the woods with
my dog, carrying water to my ponies, and mowing sections of my lawn, too.)
We need to eat more
protein, calcium and fiber. Most older people don’t get enough protein for the
muscles and calcium for the bones. (I drink milk every day and some form of
meat or eggs almost every day, and I usually have oatmeal or toast for
breakfast and 12 grain bread for my luncheon sandwich.)
Vitamins are important.
(I take my vitamins.)
As we age we have trouble
falling to sleep or staying asleep, but that’s because of age-related hormone
changes or sleep-robbing health problems. (My problem must be the hormone
changes because except for the rare case of pneumonia several months ago, I’m
very healthy.)
Other good news, I’m not
a smoker and have never been one. The only drinking I do is the occasional half
glass of wine at one of my book clubs or dinner at my sister-in-law’s home.
(Actually, I’ve heard wine is good for you so maybe I should have some in the
evening before I go to bed.)
Ways to keep your brain
sharp. According to AARP preserving memory is our main concern as we age. I
know I worry about that when I try to remember someone’s name or a word, but
from talking to others even those younger than I am have the same problem. It’s
called mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
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| Just a few of the many books in my library where I write, too. |
Some things that help us
with that: Do what you love. (Okay, I love writing and reading. I do a lot of
both.)
Don’t let the negative
stereotype about aging get to you. (Up until several years ago, I said I wasn’t
old, I was just in upper middle age.)
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| This is Puffy one of my two sister ponies. |
Take a stroll after
dinner. (Well, I don’t exactly do that, but I do go out and feed and water my
ponies and gather eggs in the evening.)
Having friends and
getting together with others is important. (I belong to two book clubs, two
writers’ groups, go to church every Sunday, and at least once a month get
together with siblings for dinner or visit with my daughters (usually on the
phone) or talk to my son.)
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| My Mobile Meals sticker is on the back window. |
Volunteering is
important. (I do Mobile Meals every other Thursday and get a lot of
satisfaction from that.)
Trying something new.
(I’ve tried a lot of new things over the years, but I can’t think of anything
in particular so far this year.)
Most people my age (83%) prefer
print books to e-books. (I’m one of them.)
According to a Pew
report, ninety-one percent live in their own place and plan to stay there. (I’m
in that percentage.)
It’s important that we
laugh every day. It gives your immune system a boost. (I tend to be a happy
person, and even if I don’t talk to others some days, I laugh at my dog and my
cat or something I’ve read.)
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| I'm heading to the woods to trim some branches along my trails. |
We get more respect.
According to one poll six in ten people in their late 70s say they get more
respect. I’ll have to pay attention and see if that’s true or not. I know
family members have been more caring since I was so seriously ill in June, and
it seems to be continuing even though I’m perfectly healthy and feeling well
now, and will probably stay that way because I’ve never been very sick. I
seldom missed a day of teaching even though those students often showed up sick
because mom or dad didn’t believe it when they said they were sick.
Do you dread getting
older?
What are the things
listed above that you do to help you stay young as you age?
