Aging Well: Taking Care of Your Body, Mind and Spirit This Fall
There is something special about October.
The leaves begin to change, the air gets a little cooler, and suddenly pumpkin seems to appear in just about everything. It is also a good time to slow down for a moment and think about something that matters all year long.
How are we taking care of ourselves?
There is a fun little connection between October and longevity that caught my attention. Research studying more than 1,500 American centenarians found that people born in the fall months—September, October and November—were represented at higher rates among those who reached 100 than would have been expected based on the general population. October was one of the months showing that pattern.
Now, I am not suggesting that being born in October guarantees you a 100th birthday. If it did, I suspect October would become a very popular month for birthday parties!
But it does give us a nice excuse to talk about aging well.
At Montgomery Place, we often talk about the importance of caring for the whole person—body, mind and spirit. Fall is a wonderful time to put that idea into practice.
Take Care of Your Body
Fall means the beginning of flu season. Influenza typically circulates more during the fall and winter, and adults 65 and older are at greater risk of serious complications from the flu. The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination, and September and October are generally good months to get one.
But protecting your health is about more than getting a flu shot.
Eat right.
As the weather changes, it can be tempting to reach for comfort foods—and there is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying a good bowl of chili or a piece of pumpkin pie! But our bodies still need plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and fluids.
Keep moving.
You don’t have to run a marathon to benefit from physical activity. Walking, stretching, strength exercises, dancing, swimming or simply staying active throughout the day can make a difference. Regular physical activity can help support heart health, brain health, balance, bone strength and independent living.
And as the leaves begin to fall, remember that fall prevention is important too. Good lighting, clear walkways, appropriate footwear, regular vision checks and exercises that improve strength and balance can all help reduce the risk of falls.
Take Care of Your Mind
A healthy mind needs exercise, too.
Read a book. Learn something new. Work on a puzzle. Take a class. Listen to music. Try something you’ve never done before.
And perhaps most importantly, stay curious.
One of the things I love about Montgomery Place is that curiosity does not seem to have an expiration date. There are always people learning something new, sharing an idea, starting a project or discovering a new interest.
You are never too old to learn something new.
Take Care of Your Spirit
This one can mean something different to everyone.
For some, it may be faith or prayer. For others, it may be spending time with family, helping a neighbor, creating something beautiful, listening to music, enjoying nature or simply sitting quietly with a cup of coffee and watching the world go by.
The important thing is to make time for the things that give your life meaning.
And don’t underestimate the importance of connection.
Call a friend. Invite someone to lunch. Sit with a neighbor. Join an activity. Strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know very well.
We are social beings, and staying connected is an important part of healthy aging. The CDC includes social connection, emotional well-being, physical activity, nutrition and adequate sleep among the key components of healthy aging.
And Don’t Forget to Sleep
Sleep sometimes gets overlooked when we talk about healthy aging.
But getting enough quality sleep gives your body and mind an opportunity to recharge. Establishing a regular bedtime, creating a comfortable sleep environment and giving yourself time to wind down can all help.
And if you aren’t sleeping well, don’t simply accept it as “part of getting older.” Talk with your healthcare provider about it.
A Simple October Challenge
So here is my challenge for all of us this October:
Eat right.
Move more.
Keep learning.
Stay connected.
Get enough sleep.
Take care of your spirit.
None of these things requires us to completely change our lives.
Sometimes aging well isn’t about doing something extraordinary.
It is about doing the ordinary things—consistently and intentionally.
And perhaps that is the real lesson of October.
The trees don’t change all at once. They change one leaf at a time.
Maybe we can do the same.
One healthy meal.
One walk.
One good night’s sleep.
One new experience.
One conversation with a friend.
One moment of gratitude.
One day at a time.
That sounds like a pretty good way to grow older to me.
