A wise fellow named Edward Stieglitz once said, “It is not the years in your life but the life in your years.” That quote has even been repeated by other pretty smart people over the years. While that’s all well and good, what the heck does it even mean? After all, getting old is hard to ignore. You blink and the next thing you know everything hurts, things are crackling and crunching, and you don’t remember why you walked into the kitchen.
But you’re still alive, and memories are still being made. Getting older doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun and enjoying life. Stieglitz’s quote is saying that life is just a number; making beautiful memories is what’s truly important. Make sure you’re still putting life into your years. How? Maintain positive relationships, keep your body moving, and laugh lots. Even if you’re still young and spry, these tips are essential for staying that way.
Maintain Relationships
As we age, we lose more and more friends, and we’re left grieving the losses. We must not forget about those who are still with us, though. Make time for your friends and family, and keep making memories. Pour your favorite drinks for those no longer with us, clink some glasses in their honor, and party on for them. Maintaining positive relationships throughout life keeps us happy. More than that, going out with friends and spending time with family keeps our minds and bodies busy, so we don’t have time to brood and feel ancient.
Stay Active
While aging is rarely ever kind to the body, staying physically active can make it a little easier. Find some ways to stay active that you can enjoy, even better if you can do them with friends. While you probably won’t be joining the NFL, you may take a dance class, speed-walk around the park, or go swimming to keep your body moving. Perhaps you’ll stroll around the zoo or an amusement park with your family every now and again. Mow the lawn if that’s what floats your boat — and if you can’t walk, any kind of movement from chair dancing to virtual reality tennis might be more up your alley. Find enjoyable ways to stay physically active and you’ll be more likely to stick with it..
Laugh, Laugh, and Laugh Some More
Laughter is said to be the best medicine, and it truly is. Laughter is beneficial to your health, but it’s easy to forget that it’s okay to laugh as we age. Life becomes more serious, worries pile up, and our losses seem endless. It’s important to remember to laugh, at yourself and with others. It’s okay to laugh at yourself if you forget why you walked into a room (if it was important you’ll remember… eventually). While you’re with friends and family, laugh some more. Look up jokes that you can tell at social gatherings. Heck, buy tickets to a comedian you like to ensure an evening packed with laughter once in awhile. Laughter is joy, and life should be full of joy.
Remember: you are never too old to enjoy life. Keep being you, and do what makes you happy — be with those who make you appreciate being alive, make sure to laugh lots, and keep your body moving in fun ways. With all this glee, age becomes just another number. And, hey, if you’re still young, you have a lot to look forward to!
