Is 60 the New 40? How to Age Gracefully

Love this from Advanced Style

I am in love with the blog Advanced Style - it's really different and refreshing and is the brainchild of Ari Seth Cohen who roams the New York Streets looking for the chicest, creative and fashionable older folk and some of them really know how to put an outfit together and are truly inspiring and remind me of my mother who is my constant source of classic style.

My mother enjoying eating el fresco in the sun

According to psychologists, the key to ageing gracefully is to accept the fact that life doesn’t stay the same and that yes, ageing can change the way we live our lives. Attitude matters a lot, and if you let the negative aspects of ageing get to you, you’ll surely have fewer reasons to laugh. Accepting the fact that we aren’t as strong-boned as we used to be and preparing for the lifestyle changes that come with it can make ageing easier to manage.

The Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw once said, “You don't stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.” For many people, growing old means being prone to serious illness and losing independence. Others, however, take ageing in their stride and consider ageing as an experience in learning to live life to the fullest.

How stylish is this lady! (image) 

Anticipate changes

You can anticipate the inevitable changes that come with ageing without feeling sorry for yourself. These changes are natural, and if you think positively, you will soon learn to adapt and make lifestyle changes little by little as well. Rigid thinking can result in disappointment and worse, depression. If you anticipate how your life will change because of ageing, you’ll be able to manage your expectations and plan ahead. If you keep holding on to how you were when you were 40, it would be difficult for you to adjust.

Stay positive

To have a positive outlook towards ageing, stay away from negative people and things. Look back on your life to celebrate what you have accomplished, but don’t yearn for it. Positivity has a good effect on health—according to research conducted at Harvard University, positive people were less likely to develop coronary heart disease. More smiling and less frowning also results in fewer wrinkles!

Love this simple style captured by The Sartorialist 

Pursue your passions

Growing older doesn’t mean completely letting age take over. You may actually have more time now than you did when you were much younger to pursue your passions or life mission. If you’ve always wanted to try photography, take a small camera along with you on your daily walks. Take photos of your pets or grandchildren. Support an advocacy campaign providing education, teach conversational English online to teens in other countries, and inspire others with your life story.

It’s important to continue to find meaning in your life—you’ll soon realize that there are many things you enjoy doing, such as learning a new hobby, meeting new people, reconnecting with yourself through spiritual pursuits, and travelling. Doing things that are important to you can make you feel revitalized, giving you energy throughout the day and the rest of your life.

Effortless chic (image) 

Take care of yourself

Again, growing old doesn’t mean succumbing to nature; it means working with nature. You’ve accepted the fact that you’re not getting any younger, so make sure you exercise regularly to keep yourself fit and strong. Exercising also improves brainpower and gives us a good feeling (thank your endorphins!). You may not be young again age- and appearance-wise, but you will surely be healthy, alert, sharp, happy, and definitely strong enough to pursue your lifelong dream.

Taking care of yourself also means knowing when you need help or support. Assisted living in Waltham, MA, for example, isn’t a bad thing if you are going to benefit from the extra help. It’s worth looking into places that can provide the support you need while allowing you to stay as active as possible. I can see this now with my own mother and aunt, who want to remain active but value having additional support as a backup.