Feeling Young After 55 Avoiding that Mid-Life Crisis

As we move into our senior years, it can be easy to get stuck in a rut, and thats when mid-life crises happen. But with a positive mindset and a few simple tips, its easy to move past the crisis and feel young and energetic again. Stay physically active. A good exercise program doesnt just mean going to the gym. Any exercise you can do to keep moving benefits your health, such as walking, yoga, gardening, swimming, or dancing. As long as you are moving, you are helping your bodys systems work more efficiently, and in the long run, a healthy body makes you feel younger. Exercise can:

• Help lower blood pressure
• Improve cardiovascular function
• Improve balance so youre less likely to fall
• Help you get a better nights sleep
• Enhance your immune system

And much more. Always consult with your doctor about the safest physical activity for you, and if you have limited mobility, your doctor can help you find the best ways to get some exercise. Any amount of regular exercise will help you feel your best. Work on a hobby or a part-time job. Nothing helps you feel younger than living with a purpose. Our senior years are the perfect time to take up that craft or learn to play that instrument weve always thought about, take dance classes, or finally write that book weve been thinking about for so many years. You can also try a part-time job near your home. Not only will you make a little pocket change, but you can also meet new people and build lasting friendships. Doing what you love enriches your life and helps you feel young and energetic again. Explore. If you have the means to be a world traveler, our senior years are a great time to explore new places. But you can be an explorer even on a limited budget by finding new places close by. Take some time to explore your city or a nearby city, by trying new restaurants, attending local festivals, and exploring different attractions. Local tourism associations always have information for visitors with ideas about fun things to do at the destination. Thinking like a tourist can open your eyes to some interesting discoveries you may have missed. Exploring the world around us and learning new things helps awaken the child within us. Be spontaneous. While sticking to a schedule is important in some ways, spontaneity can help you feel young. Dont miss out on something fun and different because its not part of your regular routine. Most of us avoided spontaneity throughout our lives because we had career and family responsibilities to worry about. Our senior years are the time to live the life we never had time for in the past, so accept that invitation to go out on the town or take a last-minute trip and experience life outside your day-to-day routine. Embrace your senior years. How many times have you thought back on your youth and wished you knew then what you know now? The wisdom that can only come from experience is something to celebrate, so embrace who you are and how far you have come in this life and youll feel energized once again. A healthy, active lifestyle with a positive mindset is the key to feeling young in our senior years, and at Ashbridge Manor Senior Living, our focus is on wellness, daily activity, and a welcoming sense of community. Contact us when its time to transition to senior assisted living and well make the transition easy. You can find us at 971 E. Lancaster Avenue in Downingtown, PA, call 610.269.8800, or contact us online for more information.