How do you deal with aging?

Question

I am 45 years old and I am having such a hard time dealing with aging. I see people my age and older dying and I am scared. I hate what age is doing to my body. Help ... how do you deal with it?

Answer 1

I am also 45 and I intend to grow old (dis)gracefully!!! It really is a frame of mind. Im going grey, im overweight (losing that though!), my important bits went south long ago, and my face is getting lines. But who cares :) Its a sign of maturity and experience!

Answer 2

It is not age, it gravity and lack of exercise.

Gravity is constantly pulling our bodies down.
And without exercise, everything inside slows down and get's tightened up.

The ONLY "cure" for aging, of which is also called sarcopenia, of which I call a DEFINITE disease, is daily exercise.

What I do, daily;

When I wake up, I use The Step for aerobic exercises. Wakes me up fully. I use a construction concrete block set sideways; holes facing sideways. I wear shoes because concrete is rough.
I do 10 steps, pause and rest, resume stepping 10 more times, pause and rest. Until I reach 100 steps. Takes about 10 minutes.

I then stand in my kitchen every morning and do some simple stretching exercises.

Holding the counter top for balance, I squat up and down, 10 times. I step back, one foot forward, the other back, firmly on the floor. I lunge forward and back, doing pushups and stretching the calf of the leg set back. 10 times. Then I reverse my feet and stretch the other leg. Takes about 15 minutes.

Standing up, feet apart a bit, I then do simple stretches such as rotating the shoulders, rotating the head, twisting side to side, bending over, etc. 10 times each. Takes about 10 minutes.

I feel like a new person, for the entire day, after doing these exercises. And if I get too much stress at work, a quick trip into the men's room and some quick sink counter exercises, I am revved up again.

Mon-Wed-Fri I do some weightlifting. What I do is pick up and HOLD something heavy, for 60 seconds. This tightens up all the muscles in the body, and makes you stronger. Brings BACK the strength you normally loose due to aging.

An easy way to do this is get a couple of 5-gallon pails and put some water in each. Pick them up, holding them while bent over, knees bent and elbows bent. This makes the muscles hold the weight, not the bones. I use a wall clock with a sweep hand to keep track of 1 minute.

Bottom line? At age 54, I am physically in better shape than many guys that are in their 20's. I use to DREAD getting older. Now I look forward to it. It did not take complicated exercises, expensive equipment, and TIME that I do not have! You just have to have patience. Takes about 3 months to see good results.

But YOU WILL get better, stronger, etc. While everyone around you is getting older and falling apart, YOU will keep your young body.

Hope this helps!!

Answer 3

Aging is a natural process which no-one can avoid. Just go with the flow. You've got through puberty I guess so unless you are female (and will one day deal with pregnancy, menopause etc) you'll be O.K. If it is wrinkles and grey hair which worry you then cease worrying. By the time these affect you you will either have accepted the situation (because all your friends will be going through the same changes) or there'll be new inventions to help you 'pretend' that it's not happening.

Answer 4

I really understand what you are saying. Ever since I hit my 40's, I developed aches and pains I never had before. I developed high blood pressure and,(oh my gawd) I started spreading in places I never wanted to spread.

I work with people that have disabilities, both physical, emotional, and mental. I wake up daily, thankful that I have legs that walk, eyes that can see, ears that can hear. I am grateful because I have a reasonably sound mind. I am working on trying to get as fit as possible by exercising. That is helping with the aches and pains. I engage myself in activities I enjoy, outside of my job.

I have a strong relationship with women in my prayer group and they are very supportive of each other.

I would suggest that you engage in your life today and do not worry about tomorrow. You cannot change what has occurred or what will occur . Enjoy your life while you are able.

Answer 5

I have learned with aging I am finally getting smart! I have a lot more patience and don't have the energy to feel the need to solve all the world's problems anymore. So, my motto now is "Don't sweat the small stuff; it's all small stuff." Just take a deep breath, take the time to look around you at the real beauty of this world and quit focusing your attention on yourself. Take the time to help those struggling with the cares of this world (one at a time) and help show them that it is all "small stuff." Take care of yourself, of course. Eat right, get a decent amount of exercise (walking) and pamper yourself, like with a candlelit bubble bath, soothing music, a good book and a good strong lock on the bathroom door with a "Do Not Disturb" sign on it. You earned every wrinkle you have. Did you know that in some European, Asian and African countries the aged have the highest respect and a place of honor in their culture? They are considered the "Wise Ones" and are treated as royalty. It is sad that in our own culture here in the greatest country on earth, we are made to feel that we no longer have any worth to society and are cast aside to wither away our last years in a nursing home. Well, you can buy that hogwash if you want to and feel that your wrinkles are something to be ashamed of, but that's not for me. I do have what the world considers too much of one thing and not enough of another but, I feel more beautiful now than ever. I am at peace inside and that's what counts.

Answer 6

I had to smile & accept it. I try to live for my family and friends as well as take good care of myself. I meditate & pray. That seems to really help each day go better. And be grateful.....so many are in suffering & pain in this world! God be with you. Good luck.

Answer 7

Defeat it by living life and finding fun in things. Exercise and take-up a low impact sport.

Answer 8

I am 84, the older I get the closer I am to Heaven. God loves you and you are precious to Him. Have faith in God.

In the Beginning God created heavens and earth.
God gives you air to breathe and sunshine to enjoy.
God gives you water to drink and food to eat.
God gives you a wonderful body and sound mind, to live.
God loves you, and you are precious to Him.
Son of God died on the Cross to save us from condemnation.
Jesus’ love is boundless and everlasting.
We have the hope of Heaven through Jesus.
Life therefore has fantastic and glorious future!
(Digestion of above can even prevent depression and suicidal thoughts.)

Answer 9

With humor, grace and the realization that we are all going down the same road.