For most individuals, old age is not something we think about until it has arrived. There are many reasons why this might occur. One reason might be because we are so busy in our now that we do not have time to think about our future. Another and more probable reason is that we probably do not want to think about aging.
We associate old age with nursing homes, hospitals, and loneliness. Who wants to think about those things? However, it is not a good idea to brush the subject of aging under the rug. We all have choices, and being proactive in our now is one of the best choices we can make when it comes to being proactive in our aging process.
There are many ways we can be proactive in that aging process.
Staying Connected
An individual who is a participant in active aging knows how to stay connected. Just because someone is retired or older does not mean that he or she cannot take advantage of social media.
Social media and the internet is a great way to stay in touch with loved ones both near and far. Learning how to use a computer and the internet offers many benefits as well. For example, learning a new skill or even returning to school are great ways to meet people with like interests.
Join a social club or meet-up that meets once per week or once per month and enjoy being and staying connected.
Join a Sport or Club
There are so many ways to stay active as you age that there is no reason to become sedentary. There are clubs for just about any activity from walking to hiking and anything you could imagine in between.
Taking a class at your local Y or a gym, or even a dance class that you have always wanted to take, has many benefits for aging. You are being social for one and you are being active for another. You also get to live out life-long dreams that maybe you did not have time to get to before due to family and work constraints.
Be of Service to Others
If you feel that you are not capable of doing too much physically, there are always other options such as paperwork or reading to younger children. Being a companion to someone is something that requires nothing but an open heart and listening ears.
As you can see, there are many ways to become an active participant in getting the upper hand on aging.