What a privilege it is to grow old. And if you are one of the lucky ones, I know what you might be thinking: How can experiencing an aging body be a privilege? Growing older is often viewed through the lens of challenges and limitations alone. While there is justification in the discouragement and sense of loss that commonly accompanies the idea of growing old, there is also much hope in this opportunity. Aging is an honor, a testament to the beautiful lives we’ve lived and the experiences we’ve gathered along the way. Aging shows that there is an opportunity to continue expanding our ability to learn, grow, change, evolve, and experience life in new ways. Although we cannot delay or control the inevitable force of aging, we can change our focus and energy toward aging well by shifting our perspective and empowering ourselves to take accountability for our health today.
As an occupational therapist, I am gifted with the opportunity to assist individuals in optimizing their daily, weekly, and monthly routines to achieve the best quality of life. I have witnessed firsthand, in the lives of others and myself, the power of recognizing how the choices we make today—the activities we engage in, the habits we form, and the routines we establish—will profoundly influence our health and well-being in the years to come.
One of the most underrated yet powerful things we can do for our health as we age is to leverage the power of small, daily habits over time.
The fact is that we are all aging all the time. The decisions we make today determine the outcome of our futures, and much of what our health looks like in five, ten, or fifteen years is a direct result of the actions we are taking now. The best possible way to take care of your future self is to take care of your current self. We must be intentional about how we spend our time, the foods we consume, the environments we expose ourselves to, and the relationships we invest in to steward and care for our future selves.
When it comes to healthy aging, the emphasis on taking a holistic approach to our mental, physical, and spiritual needs remains paramount, and we must rely on the power of introspection and self-awareness to know what serves us best according to the season of life we find ourselves in. When you complete your exercise routine today, think about the future version of yourself ten years from now who will be thankful that her arms are strong enough to still carry her groceries inside. Or the version of yourself who is able to safely get up and down from the floor to play with her grandkids. Or the version of yourself who can get out of bed and go up and down stairs without needing an assistive device. When you read your book, complete a puzzle, or learn a new skill today, think about the future version of yourself who is still able to remember where she parked the car, cook dinner from scratch, and continue paying the bills correctly. When you gather with your friends in the community, invite people over for dinner, and go out of your way to call an old friend today, think about the future version of yourself who has friends willing to visit you in the hospital room, drop off meals when you’re too weak to cook, and embrace you closely when death claims a loved one.
Each stage of life is a new chapter, complete with its own set of opportunities and challenges—some of which can be controlled and contained, and some of which will be unavoidable. Ultimately, healthy aging is not about resisting the passage of time but instead about making conscious choices today that enhance our quality of life as we grow older. The small, daily habits we adopt now have a compounding effect that can set the stage for a healthier, more fulfilling future. Aging is a privilege, and it’s an honor to have the opportunity to make choices that positively impact our lives. By embracing the power of small habits, nurturing our physical, mental, and social well-being, and maintaining a positive outlook, we can approach each day with the confidence that we are paving the way for a vibrant, healthy future.
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Author: Dr. Katherine Lewis, OTD, OTR/L
Disclaimer:
This information is generalized and intended for educational purposes only. Due to potential individual contraindications, please see your primary care provider before implementing any strategies in these posts.