Seven ways to ‘age up’

Posted

I believe in “aging up” – that is, seeing aging as an expanded opportunity to explore the things we enjoy and those on our “bucket lists.”

Here are my seven steps to positive aging:

Have a purpose: Identifying your passion will lead you to your purpose. Ask yourself, “What brings me meaning and joy and why?” When you answer that question, do more of it. In fact, do as much of it as you can.

Nissan Dovid Dubov’s article, “What is Life’s Purpose?,” posted at Chabad.org, states, “The Rabbis teach us that Adam was the prototype and example for each and every individual to follow. ‘For this reason was man created single, in order to teach you that ‘one person is equivalent to an entire world’. This means that every Jew, indeed, every human being, regardless of time and place and personal status, has the fullest capacity (and also the duty) to rise and attain the highest degree of fulfilment, and accomplish the same for creation as a whole.”

Be engaged: Be “all in”; let your passion shine and be present with others. Passion speaks to living with zest. The key is doing something you love, sharing it and being in the moment.

Explore your options: Find new things you enjoy or try a variation of what you know. It could range from travel to a sport, game or volunteering, or turning your hobby into a new business.

Find a supportive community: Get support – the right support. Having a network of good people who are positive, active and supportive will greatly improve your mental attitude, which can add years to your life.

Take care of yourself: As we get older, we need to pay more attention to our self-care. The formula is simple: keep moving, eat whole unprocessed foods, get enough sleep and keep your attitude positive. 

Be a lifelong learner: Keep your brain healthy by keeping it active.  Learn something new, such as a new language or computer skills.

Believe in miracles: Watch for “coincidences” – the phone call from that special person you were just thinking about, the help you got just as you needed it, the fruits of your intuition. Then acknowledge these miracles with gratitude.

PATRICIA RASKIN, president of Raskin Resources Productions Inc., is an award-winning radio producer and Rhode Island business owner. She is the host of “The Patricia Raskin” show, a radio and podcast coach, and a board member of Temple Emanu-El, in Providence.

Seniors