20 Ways to Age Gracefully

Anti-Aging Practices for the Soul

"Have Patience with Yourself" by Eleatta Diver

Art prints available here.

How can I age with grace?

I asked myself this question and did some soul searching. Here's a list of 20 ways I'm making my attempts!

The milestone of six decades loomed before me. The question of 'graceful aging' began to consume my thoughts. Ads promise diminished wrinkles and toned physiques. But what about keeping my emotions feeling young? Making a list of what I want to avoid is helping me see a path to mindfully pursue aging gracefully. 

I knew what I did NOT want.

• I did not want to be crusty and inflexible - in soul or body.
• I did not want to be full of cranky bitterness.
• I did not want to be isolated and lonely.

This was my back door approach to defining the practices that would help ensure a better path to aging well. 

In this post:
20 Ways to Pursue Aging Gracefully
 + FREE PRINTABLE

Your emotions need tending just as much as your body. Maintain a spiritual practice. Smile more. Start writing. It’s a great way to unpack life and process your feelings. Here’s my master list. I keep it on my desk.  

#1.) Stay open and flexible.
Remind yourself opportunities often express themselves in ways we’d never imagine. Embrace change. Resisting it wastes precious time and energy. 

#2.) Keep adventure alive.
Travel. Whether it is a trip to the mall, theater, a sports event or even a different state or country, little and big adventures can produce wonderful results. 

#3.) Create, make. Do. 
Always have a project/something to solve. Making progress feels good and brings you happiness. 

#4.) Savor the joy of little pleasures. 
Do something you enjoy every day. When you immerse yourself in things you enjoy, you can’t wait to do them again. And then you do them again, and again and again, and the enjoyment continues. 

#5.) Cherish your loyal confidant.
Someone you can tell anything is a requirement for emotional your well-being. 

#6.) Celebrate yourself.
Congratulate yourself on even small accomplishments and use them as inspiration for new tasks.
  
#7.) Cultivate positivity.
Share happiness. Make a point to spread joy whenever possible. It feels good to make someone else feel good, and it’s very inexpensive to do.

#8.) Treat others with dignity. 
You’ll find respect  comes back to you.

#9.) Tend to yourself. 
Value your body. Walk a lot. Eat smartly, but every once in a while line up a row of warm chocolate chip cookies and dip them in milk. 

#10.) Value your emotions.
Your emotions need tending just as much as your body. Maintain a spiritual practice. Smile more. Start writing. It’s a great way to unpack life and process your feelings. ​

#11.) Practice gratitude.
Each morning before you get out of bed, think of 5 things you are grateful for. Gratitude is like an anti-wrinkle cream for your soul. 

#12.) Laugh more.
Laugh and cry. But laugh a lot more. It releases those endorphins – the body’s natural feel-good chemicals 

#13.) Create a haven.
Make your home your special place by personalizing it and making it comfortable. Everyone needs a refuge that’s uniquely theirs.

#14.) Keep connections.
Friendships are invisible vitamins for life. Remember the truth, ‘Make new friends. Keep the old. One is silver, the other gold.’ 

#15.) Develop a sense of perspective.
Consider mortality; it will help you appreciate each day as a gift.  

#16.) Practice acceptance.
Embrace the present.Consider the joys of old age. You’re smarter; you’re more experienced and you have more time to do the things you enjoy. 

#17.) Release your regrets.
Regrets are like anchors that keep you moored in the past, depleting you of vitality and confidence. 

#18.) Show yourself kindness. 
Practice gentleness with yourself. Talk to yourself as you would to a friend.           

#19.) Practice mindful reactions.
Take control of how you react to things. Take deep breaths and count to 10 - or even 100, if needed! 
 
#20.) Seek ways to give.
Giving to others, even in small ways, is a powerful way to keep your heart feeling full of life. 

These are some ways I’ve chosen to adjust my life to pursue aging gracefully. The list grew out of some honest self evaluation. What would be on your list? Have you thought about ‘aging gracefully? I’d love to hear your thoughts on your journey!

Get A Free Printable!

See the link below...

'20 Ways to Age with Grace'
FREE  PRINTABLE