Did you ever worry at the age of 20 that you were getting older? Of course not. That seemed like something that would never happen to you, am I right? Aging probably wasn’t even something you even thought about except for fleeting moments when you visited your grandparents for Sunday dinner. That said, when we approach our 40’s and 50’s we do begin to think a bit more about getting older. We teeter on the edge of thinking that it doesn’t ((really)) apply to us just yet because we are at a stage of life where we are wiser and at our best health. Yet, the reminders of aging are all around us and we are more tuned in to them than we used to be.
So, what are we worried and/or scared about with getting older?
- The physical signs of aging often get us down. We want to look like we did when we were 20 years old. Some of the physical signs of aging can be: wrinkles, gray hair, weight gain, and untoned and sagging body parts to name a few.
So, what is the remedy for this?
Accept the fact the everyone ages and our body changes over the years. This sounds easier said than done. It is a process to embrace the reality that everybody ages and there are things you can do to maximize what you do have, such as: eating better, exercising, getting enough sleep, and connecting socially with others.
- People fear the stereotype that older people are lonely, have nothing to do, and have lost family, spouses, and good friends to illness and death. While it is true that loss of important relationships happens more as we get older, it is not the case that we have to be alone and/or lonely.
What can help to lessen this loss?
Cultivate new friendships and get involved in community events. This involves putting yourself “out there” and doing things differently. Change is hard for most people. Other ideas might include getting a roommate or moving to a retirement community so you can be around other people.
- Another fear is that of being sick. With advancing age comes the increased possibility of becoming ill. Many people have a fear about this because it is really about a fear of the unknown. What is to become of us I we get sick and there is nobody to take care of us? We are social animals and it is comforting to know there is someone in our corner when we need them the most.
How can we get around this?
Go directly to the fear itself and acknowledge what is going on. Only then does it become possible to bring it into the open so you can start making plans for the future and how to manage your caretaking needs. Getting to a place of acceptance about aging can bring a sense of relief.
