Stories of Kindness from Around the World

What are some of the unhealthiest habits after 50?, A. E. Irvin

Watching too much TV. Really, this is the biggest trap for aging people. That couch is so comfy and binge watching whatever it is soooooooo relaxing. It is also terrible for your body and mind. And as you get older you lose tone fast and it takes a long time to get it back. Get your butt up and get outside!

2) Eating processed foods. If you have not already been making your own food, from ingredients which are whole and recognizable, it is time to start. You need a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and humane raised meats in moderate quantities if at all. If it comes in a box, it should be a very rare occasion.

3) Skipping those screenings we all love to hate. No one WANTS a scope up the butt. Well, almost no one, I shouldn’t assume. But do it anyway. Get in, get the screenings done, and find out what is going wrong. Putting your head in the sand will not prevent bad things from occurring. It will just ensure that when you finally cannot ignore it, it will be hard or impossible to fix. Be proactive.

4) Isolating yourself. You do not have to be in a relationship, but you do need people in your life. Make friends at work, if you still work. Talk to the neighbors. Join a gym or club. Smile at people. Put yourself out there. People need to be part of society to be mentally healthy.

5) Thinking too much about what is done and over. Face it. At 50 you are, best case scenario, half way done. And for most of us, we are MORE than half way done. Do not, however, decide it is “too late for………” whatever it is. Get your nerve up, get up on your feet and GO FOR IT. There is plenty of time for feeling sorry for yourself and getting acquainted with the Grim Reaper in the future. You only need a couple of seconds to do that, for the love of all that is holy do not spend years doing it.

6) Letting television or pop culture or your friends or your family define for you what you are supposed to be doing at ____ age. Just say “no.” You have heard of the placebo effect, there is also a nocebo effect where your negative expectations bring about negative outcomes. Every time you forget something, or ache do not just throw your hands up and say “oh I am getting old and it is inevitable!” It isnt. There are plenty of people in their 80’s who are fit and sharp. They are the ones who did not let people tell them how they were supposed to age, and so they did it their own way, exercising and reading and staying active.

All my life I have enjoyed the company of my elders, and as I myself age, I feel incredibly blessed by that experience. I know that old people are sharp, interesting, fun to be with, add amazing value to society, and are able to do all kinds of things. I have never feared getting older myself, and I plan to enjoy the whole ride all the way up to the abrupt sudden stop. I hope you do too!

Rajni: Youngsters do not need to wait until they turn 50 to adopt the lifestyle suggested herein. Due to BAD lifestyle/habits many people do not even reach age 50. Getting out of shape and inviting poor health can never be justified by excuses. From the school age all should adopt to the good life style. While making money, losing health and then spend all the money and may even get in debt to regain is not a wise choice.

The image was derived separately.