5 Tips for Successful Aging

When we’re in our twenties, life seems long and we feel invincible. As we start to approach middle age, the realization starts to dawn that we are no longer on the right side of youth – our skin starts to sag and wrinkles appear seemingly out of nowhere. How did it happen so quickly, we might ask? What is the secret to successful aging?

As Christians, we know that beauty is fleeting (Proverbs 31:30a) and that it is our inner appearance that counts before God, but it can take some time to truly accept the fact that no amount of money or effort can win back our younger selves.

We need to preach to ourselves the truth of Paul to Timothy, that “godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8, NIV) Our focus should be on something deeper: “inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16, NIV

This does not mean we should not look after our bodies well, but that we need to truly embrace what it means to age gracefully. Here are five tips for successful aging:

Get the basics of successful aging right.

We all know what we need to do to be healthy – get the right nutrition for our bodies, and exercise regularly. While we might have been able to coast through our earlier years without paying heed to this advice, successful aging depends on getting these core lifestyle pillars in place.

The good news is that it’s never too late to start. Begin by incorporating small healthy habits into your lifestyle. Try less sugar in your tea, or a walk around the block daily, for instance, and then work on growing these successes.

Challenge yourself.

The people who manage to get successful aging right know that the mind needs to be kept active as it is a muscle that will deteriorate without proper exercise. Challenging yourself can take on various shapes and forms. It might mean taking up a new hobby, committing to a daily crossword, or decluttering your house. Break your challenge up into bite-sized chunks to make it more achievable, and make sure it is something you enjoy and inspires you.

Stay connected.

Our friendship circles tend to get smaller as we age. Successful aging depends on a healthy social network. Other people keep us young and can prevent cognitive and social decline.

Make an effort to nurture your existing friendships, and then seek out some new acquaintances. It can be intimidating to join a walking club or start playing bridge to meet new people. Once the ice has been broken, however, you will gain confidence from the experience, and gain some relationships that will enhance your life and well-being.

Get the sleep you need for successful aging.

Not getting the right amount of sleep can work against successful aging. While insomnia is a common issue for people as they get older, make sure you do what you can to ensure that you are well-rested. If you need to speak to your doctor about what can be done to improve your sleep patterns, do this sooner rather than later to prevent the problem from escalating.

Nourish your soul.

Growing in your knowledge of God and your faith is the surest way to achieve successful aging. When we focus on who God is, His plans for us for eternity, and our mission here on earth, we can be grateful for the time He has given us.

This renewed perspective will help take the focus off ourselves, and we can look forward to nourished souls that are ever more prepared to do the good deeds set out for us by God.

In the Bible, Solomon reminds us that aging is not something to be ashamed of, but rather “The glory of young men is in their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” (Proverbs 20:29, NIV)

Many people do not have the privilege of aging, and so to those who can enjoy a long life, a disposition of gratitude should be evident. If you are struggling with the idea of getting to grips with successful aging, a Christian counselor can help you to reflect on where you are at, and what changes you need to make to be where you want to be when you are older.

It is not always easy to gain perspective when we are alone, but a counselor can be invaluable in guiding one toward more fulfilling golden years. Connect with our office for help embracing each year and aging with grace.