Ever say this:
“I’m getting older; aches and pains come with the territory.”
“What can you expect at this stage of life? All of my friends have something wrong with them.”
“Of course, I expect to spend more and more time at the doctor’s. Too bad I didn’t take care of myself when I was younger, but it’s too late now.”
I’ve heard all of this at various times. Is it the truth, though? Does it have to be the truth?
Is it a fact that there are no middle-aged to older people who feel well, are vibrant, enjoy great health and are active?
You know the doom-and-gloom of aging doesn’t have to be true, I hope. But I bet there are some of you who agree with this in principle … but still don’t think it applies to you.
That’s why sometimes you have to start at the top of your head to be well. Inside your brain. Because thinking negatively is never going to help your health. However, believing good health can be yours will send you in the right direction.
When you believe something better is possible, that encourages you to look for ideas, and it gives you motivation. Without that, you’re dead in the water. You women know the motivation of fitting into smaller clothes for what seems like an all-important wedding or high school reunion, right? How about the motivation of still enjoying life as you age?
How can you put a “I’m going to rock my later years” mindset in place?
Start here:
Find an positive statement to repeat to offset negative beliefs about remaining well. Try something like: I can create vibrant good health at every age. Write that — or a positive, present-tense statement you prefer — on a post it note, and put it various places where you will see it and be reminded, helping it become second nature to you.
Add to that:
Embrace other positive emotions. Gratitude will help you allow in the affirmation above. Look for what’s good in your life. Celebrate that more. Scale down the negative comments and news.
Mix with:
Good care of your body. Energy and emotions and everything else aside, your body needs your care. Get enough rest, feed yourself some quality food, move around more.
Complete by:
Looking at where you fight your own self. If you find yourself thinking, “Well, of course, Cindy can embrace good health, she doesn’t have (fill-in-the-blank-that-you-have),” you need to look deeper. Why do you believe that? What makes you feel that your ailment is the end of your choice to be healthier? What stops you from pushing past this? There are people with huge health challenges (and very much older) that still lead active, vibrant lives. So can you. I’ve experienced huge health challenges myself, but now I am one of those healthy, younger-appearing, vibrant boomers.
Finally:
This is worth it. It’s easy, in effect, but you do need to stay very aware of things you too-automatically believe or say for awhile. If you’re not sold, do this: Try it for a week or two. Keep notes about what you did and how it felt. See where you are at the end of that. Did it make a difference? Are you noticing changes? If all you’re feeling is more hopeful and happier, that’s a big switch and will lead you naturally to a better health future.
