Mind Over Matter

Mark Twain once said that “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter”. Ageing is inevitable, but that does not mean that you are “over the hill” the moment you hit 50. To age well, start with a positive mind and master the 7 Dimensions of Wellness. You will be bestowed with the ability to be better at living and handling life’s challenges. A positive mindset also paves the way for a healthier body and happier life. Lifestyle too can exert strong influence on health at any age. Therefore, seniors in particular should consider healthy eating coupled with eective exercise and a happy and positive disposition thereby enhancing the ageing process. The 7 Dimensions of Wellness can be applicable to any age, and is thus the very foundation to healthy living.

 

Think Positive
How you think impacts how you age. So have a change of mindset and think positive always. Remember, age is just a number. There are reported cases of centenarians who feel 20 years younger than their chronological age, all because of their positive mindset and self-perception. Your biological age however, which is calculated on the basis of a person’s physical and mental condition, is the measure of your habits and choices. Therefore, your biological age is a truer measure of your age compared to your date of birth.

Naturally, when old age beckons, you will feel a waning capacity for hard mental work. But do not despair because you are also well-compensated by a lifetime of precious experiences that you have gained and added to your treasure trove of insights into life. Indeed, growing old endows you with new perspectives on life as you acquire a depth of wisdom along the way. Your golden years are “golden” for a reason – you possess nuggets of wisdom to share with the world.

So let us salute seniors who possess that zest for life, infectious optimism and a positive mind. They certainly know the ultimate secret to ageing well. So can you by observing the following:

1. Physical
   • ​​Maintain a healthy physique with regular exercises and balanced diets.
2. ​Intellectual
   • Get actively involved in creative and mentally stimulating activities to keep your mind sharp.
3. ​Social
   • ​​Continue to develop meaningful and positive relationships with the world around you.
4. ​Emotional
   • ​​Manage, express and accept your feelings well.
5. ​Spiritual
   • ​​Seek meaning and purpose by enjoying the little pleasures of life.
6. ​Vocational
   • ​​Gain personal satisfaction and enrichment through doing what you love and loving what you do.
7. ​Financial
   • ​​Understand your financial situation and managing it in preparation of any changes.​
      

Your Key To Living A Full Life
Norman Vincent Peele has it well put when he says: “Live your life and forget your age”. Age should never be a barrier to doing the things you enjoy. Take heed that you can do anything you put your mind to, if you want to. By embracing the 7 Dimensions of Wellness, you are well equipped to embark on your journey of successful ageing.

Remember, Physical Wellness is the primary, and the 7 Dimensions are interlinked with one another.  For example, if a person is unwell, that person’s Mental Wellness (Emotional and Spiritual Wellness) will also be affected. On the other hand, a physically well person tends to be more energized, welcomes learning new things (Intellectual Wellness) and makes new friends easily (Social Wellness) in the process. When one is also vocationally well, one is imbued with Financial Wellness (through having part-time jobs or a second career) or Emotional Wellness (being happy in giving back to society through volunteerism).

Keep a positive mind and you would have found your key to the best treasure in life – your golden years.