I made shrimp scampi this week and shared some with one of my brothers. When he stopped by to pick it up, my daughter noticed his movements when he came through the door and asked, "You're moving slow; what's wrong?" He chuckled and replied, "Today is one of those days that I feel 61 years old."
He just turned 61 so I assumed he meant there were days when he didn't feel that old. But what he said reminded me of the difference between our chronological and physical ages. Chronological age refers to the actual number of years a person has been alive, while physical age refers to the aging and condition of the body in terms of health and functionality.
For example, a person may be 40 chronologically, but due to genetics and healthy lifestyle choices, their body may appear and function as if it were younger, say 30 years old. On the other hand, a person who is 40 chronologically may have a body that shows signs of premature aging due to factors such as unhealthy lifestyle choices, making their physical age closer to that of a 50 or 60-year-old.
We're not too concerned about our physical age when we're young. However, as we age chronically, we see things differently, as my brother did. The idea is to age gracefully, which only happens when we maintain a balance between the two ages. The good thing is that there are some ways to maintain that balance. Here are a few small change tips to get you started.
Maintain a healthy diet
If it comes from a plant, eat more of it. Color your plate" with more fruits and vegetables
If it is made in a plant, eat less of it. Eat less processed foods
Don't overeat; moderation is the key when it comes to portion sizes
Stay hydrated by drinking more water and reducing or eliminating sugary beverages from your diet
Exercise regularly
The most accessible and sustainable form of exercise is walking
You don't have to buy memberships or special clothing to walk. A good pair of walking shoes is all you need
A brisk 20-30 minute walk for at least 3-5 days/week helps maintain muscle mass, flexibility, and, most importantly, cardiovascular health
Get adequate sleep
Aim for 6-8 hours of sleep each night
Take naps. Nothing reboots you mentally and physically like a 10-15 minute power nap.
Manage stress
Adopt behaviors that help you control your reaction to stressful situations
Journaling has been my stress buster for years. It has guided me through some challenging situations and even helped me avoid pitfalls.
Adopt an "Attitude of Gratitude" for your body
If you're already journaling, use the journaling prompts below to begin to show appreciation for your body
If you don't journal, now is an excellent time to start. Call it "My Gratitude for My Body Journal"
3 Journaling Prompts:
List 5 things your body does for you that no one else can do
List 3 things you admire about your body
Write a thank you letter to your body, thanking it for the ways it supports you and for being the only vehicle that allows you to experience life
Don't let your physical age cut your chronological years short. Instead, use the "wings of gratitude" to age gracefully. It only requires 30 minutes of your time each day, leaving you 1,410 minutes to do whatever you want to do.
Need help getting started? I’m here for one-on-one coaching and face-to-face/virtual workshops. Contact me at smallchange@myrtlrussell.com or call me at 731-267-2524
Comentários