Aging well is more important now than ever. In 1950 the average American, who was 65, could expect to live another 14 years in retirement and half of those years in good health. Today, we can expect to live 75 to 80 years and over two thirds of those years in good health. Therefore, it is more important than ever to do things that contribute to our own well-being.
Five Tips for Aging Well
- Practice gratitude:
Be aware of what you have, not what you don’t have. Learn to appreciate the world around you. Practice gratitude daily, from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep. - Manage sleep: No matter what your age, sleeping well is essential to your physical health and emotional well-being. Additionally sleep helps repair cell damage that can occur during the day. Bright sunlight helps regulate melatonin and your sleep-wake cycles. Getting at least two hours of sunlight a day is important.
- Seek healthy relationships: The importance of social connections takes on added weight as you age and your life circumstances change. Friends, colleagues and neighbors bring us laughter, companionship, advice and comfort. So, volunteer, take a class, join a group or attend community events.
- Manage medications: Growing older sometimes means facing a growing list of health conditions that need to be treated. Harmful drug interactions may occur. Manage medications in cooperation with a health care team.
Prevent falls: Falling is not a normal part of aging.
- Practice strength and balance exercises
- Managing medications
- Have vision checked
- Eliminate tripping hazards and manage a safe living environment.
Mastering the Aging Process
The “Aging Mastery Program” is a series of 10 classes, covering topics such as Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep, Engagement, Finances and Advanced Planning. The objective is mastery of skills by taking small steps toward achieving big goals.
Classes are offered in person and virtual. This material is best suited for persons over age 50, although anyone of any age can participate. The Colorado State University Northeast Regional Engagement Center offers this class series in English and Spanish. For more information about the Aging Mastery Program, contact Peggy Stoltenberg at peggy.stoltenberg@colostate.edu.
