How To Age With EXCITEMENT!

Getting another year older can be a time of celebration.

It’s natural to feel slightly nervous when we know another ‘big’ birthday is creeping closer, but nerves can also be a sign of excitement…if we choose to look at life this way.

We are often told that we must ‘age gracefully’…but who says that must be the case? It generally means we should try and look slightly younger than our years, wearing age-appropriate clothes, having age-appropriate hairstyles and doing age-appropriate activities.

But that sounds a bit…exhausting!

What if – instead of thinking age was something we needed to conquer and defeat – we embraced and amplified the joys of living longer?

And if we decide to see the joy in every day, there are many ways we can choose to age with excitement…

Experience New Things

Studies have shown that people who explore new places and try new cultural activities live longer, more joyful lives.

It doesn’t really matter what these activities are – they could involve going to restaurants, meeting friends, visiting the cinema, watching sporting events – but they are proven to deepen relationships, increase social connections, and reinforce feelings of belonging.

When we actively seek out and partake in activities that give us enjoyment, it can act as a timely mood boost and have measurably positive effects.

Our brains are like our muscles – without stimulation they lose strength and power. So not only is it fun to experience and explore new activities and places, but it also helps our minds feel sharper as well!

Embrace Tech

Technology can feel like a complicated minefield at times. When a new gadget or device is launched, it’s tempting to say, “it’s something for the kids”, and ignore it. And, let’s face it, taking the time to learn how to use a new gizmo isn’t always appealing.

But staying engaged with new pieces of technology doesn’t have to be a burden. Some studies showed that technology can help us all feel more connected. If we look at the past 18 months, and how many interactions, birthdays and celebrations have been played out through a screen and an internet connection, it seems that technology has now become part of our lives. So why not make the most of it and use it for enrichment.

You don’t have to master every new app or gadget, but being comfortable with new developments can help you ensure you don’t end up feeling helpless or blindsided when the tech in our lives evolves.

Upgrade the Nest

The phrase ‘empty nest’ has negative connotations…but we prefer to look on the bright side of life!

When children, other family members or dear friends move away to pursue other adventures in life, this doesn’t have to be a time of loss…it can be an opportunity for reinvention (or even redecoration!) 

So why not use this opportunity to give the house a lick of paint, new curtains, or even take the plunge and consider a new property somewhere a little more exotic.

One Goodnick member has even bought a campervan and will spend 2022 exploring Europe!

But whatever you do, choose to see life changes as an opportunity to gain something new, rather than a time of loss.

Maximise Movement

We all know that exercise and movement are great ways to stay healthy and vibrant at any age.

However, studies have also shown that regular, moderate exercise can increase the size of the hippocampus. Believe it or not, the hippocampus is not found in a zoo, but actually inside our brains. It plays a vital role in learning and memory. As we get older, the hippocampus naturally shrinks, but research has demonstrated that exercise can reverse this.

At Goodnick, we want every body to last a long and happy lifetime…we only get one, after all! So the more you care for your body now, the more freedom you’ll have to do the things that give you excitement later in life!