What Do we Need in our Approach to Deep Health as we Age?

Back in 2022 I shared a post on the topic of age. I more recently shared a post not about aging but rather the stories we tell ourselves in our mind, and how they can create our reality. Both of these topics go hand in hand.

As we age, WE / OURSELVES are a bigger barrier than we realize. Definitely in today's modern world, our mindset and inner dialogue shape who we are later in life to a greater extent than our physiology.

So, what do we need?? How can we create POSITIVE CHANGE that is realistic, sustainable and that WE want as individuals as we move forward through life? Here are "some" quick thoughts to ponder. 👇 Remembering that in order to create ANY sort of change we have to TAKE ACTION.

👉Understand that what you used to do 10, 15, 20 years ago you no longer need in the same way physiologically. We change, naturally. But CHANGE does not automatically mean NEGATIVE. There are groups of hunter gatherers still around the world where elderly people are very active and able. There are stories in our own industrialized world of people later in life doing awesome things. It is VERY much a reality that we can choose for ourselves.

👉Understand that stretching is not "bad", however it won't fix things. Only when stretching is balanced with mobility and strength can we begin to create sustainable change at any age let alone, later in life. Lack of strength and mobility is common in our aging population. Stretching, chair exercises and 3lbs weights will NOT fix much.

👉Our self-talk is crucial to how we feel and act. "It's just old age" is a BARRIER and COP OUT to positive change in your health. Telling that story to ourselves and out loud is simply building a stronger wall between you and your wellbeing. This is the case at any age, but it is very prominant as we get on in life - and it is NOT helping.

👉Find ENJOYMENT in your health practices. I stress this with all ages. As we age however, we no longer need to train competively in our sports or activities of choices, and/or perhaps our goals have changed and you no longer need the "beach body" you strived for when you were younger. Enjoyment will bring consistency and feed your soul at the same time. Enjoyment in how you choose to practice a healthy lifestyle will keep you coming back for more and eliminate alot of unnecessary stress.

👉Our nutritional needs change as does our activity volume/intensity and our physiology. Not only in our needs but also our preferences as well, as the body moves through different stages in life. Understanding this fact allows us to adjust more willingly as we age. The same things won't necessarily work, what we liked before in our activity, nutrition etc perhaps doesn't resonate with us now. Our physiology changes. Life responsibilities and experiences change. Have an open mind to adjustments and/or new experiences and practices.

👉Improving our ability to get down and up off the floor becomes even more important, not only for independance but strength and mobility as well. It is important for all ages to spend time in a variety of positions and movements in order to keep ourselves healthy. However in Western culture in particular, sitting for long periods of time becomes a norm as most people age. This decreases a variety of aspects of our health such as strength, mobility, confidence and awareness in our movement and abilities, balance etc. Using the floor as a daily tool and simply improving / maintaining the ability to get up and down opens alot of doors to possibilities for us, not to mention increases our independance.

👉Function (always) over aesthetics. Don't let society drag you into this way of thinking any more than it has for most us already, that we "need/should look a certain way". Every BODY is different and as we age, our aesthetics need to take a backseat to function if we want to live a quality lifestyle. Ironically just as when we're younger, if we maintain/improve our function, aesthetics will follow.

👉Limiting screen time will help maintain our cognitive function as we age. The more we pursue hobbies involving mental exercise and creativity, the more we preserve our cognitive levels of function. It's a matter of balance like anything in our deep health. Unfotunately, screen time (tv, computers, phones etc) are how most of us are spending our time which is negatively impacting deep human health.

👉Being adaptable to the world around you is important. The world is not what it was 10, 20, 30+ years ago. Look how quickly things have changed since the advent of the smartphone 18-years ago! In less than two decades we are now into A.I. use and conversations. That's SO FAST. As we age, we have to be willing to understand this rapid change in the world and therefore MUST become increasingly aware of ourselves, the impact of our choices in how we live day to day and what is and IS NOT serving our health and wellbeing. The world functions at a much faster pace, which means we now have to CONCIOUSLY CHOOSE to live slowly to protect our wellbeing.

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If some or all of these speak to you but you don't know where to start or how to create change with some of these mindsets, connect with 'Coach D' to learn how he can help guide you towards the change you want in your mindset, lifestyle and deep health.