Aging is a natural fact of life, and we all have to go through it. That said, it’s important to recognize that doing so is the most natural thing in the world, and while time can take some things away, it can also enrich your inner world, grant you the wisdom that you’ve always wanted, and help you see what really matters in life and why it’s important to understand how self care changes as you get older.
I’ve found that as I age, priorities shift, and needs differ. All of a sudden, that which seems so important in youth and middle age isn’t as pressing as you had imagined, and more than ever, family, connections, and being positive are everything.
This can have a deeply restorative effect, and anyone who has felt that sense of authenticity develops knows exactly what I’m talking about. So, in this post, I hope to discuss how self-care and cultivating your best outlook on the world changes as you get older, hopefully helping some people who are embracing aging into their golden years:
Social Events Become Fewer, But More Enjoyable
As you get older, you can still party and have fun. After all, age is just a number. However, often you do focus on spending time with those who are most important, from close friends to your beloved relatives and family, and as such who you spend time with tends to become more important to you, and that time also feels deeply cherished.
You begin to prize the little things, such as relaxing and laughing with your grandchildren, heading on slow walks along the beach with your sibling, or taking some time to reminisce with a school friend. You may even make new friends at this time, such as by joining new hobby groups or by meeting new people at Prestwick Care. Big social events reduce in number, but the simple pleasures are those you look forward to most – and for good reason.
You Stop Having “Guilty Pleasures,” They’re Just Pleasures
When you get older, you start to realize that you don’t have to justify anything to anyone, provided you’re not causing harm. The guilty pleasures you enjoy? Those are just pleasures, and if you need them to feel happy and conduct self-care, that’s wonderful. This might involve salsa dancing as a novice taking lessons for the first time, singing your heart out to Adele or whatever other singer you love, and reading pulpy, silly, but eternally interesting
A Good Sleep Schedule Is Everything
Don’t worry, I know you’re not someone who falls asleep in the armchair six times a night, but it’s true that as we get older, sleep becomes much more necessary. That doesn’t mean you have to sleep or nap all the time, just ensure you’re keeping consistent with your bedtimes, unwinding well before bed (reading is always a lovely habit for this), and improving sleep hygiene by getting good ventilation and the right tog duvet. This self care, will help you retain your energy, help your body sustain itself thanks to getting the rest and recovery it needs, and over time, will keep you energized and positive. As anyone over sixty knows, a bad night of sleep can be very laborious to deal with, even if you’re in general good health.
With this insight, you don’t have to worry about being an uber-militant health nut in your progressing years. You can have fun, and focus on the simple things. Trust me when I say, you’ll thank yourself for practicing this kind of self-care.
