aging

50 Shades of Gray…Hair

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50 shades of gray
witness2fashion

Gray, graphite, pewter, smoke, silver, slate, ash, dove, charcoal, gunmetal. No matter the name or if 50 shades of gray exist, most of us will experience a change in hair color as we age.  Many women and men dye their hair so the gray doesn’t show. Ads tell us:

“L’Oreal Age Perfect by Excellence is specifically developed to color mature, gray hair….  Discover haircolor that flatters you perfectly.”  Just for Men products, “Target the gray for a natural look.”  The ads say gray doesn’t “flatter” and isn’t “natural.”

But the Bible says in Proverbs 16:31,

Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.

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KEEP MOVING – A playful book with “tips and truths about aging”

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KEEP MOVINGHappy Thanksgiving everyone!  I know not all countries celebrate Thanksgiving but all of us can be thankful for the many blessings we have on this day.   One of the many things I am thankful for is the availability of good books and the wisdom their authors share.

This morning I started reading Dick Van Dyke’s book called KEEP MOVING and Other Tips and Truths About Aging (only $11 on Amazon).  I planned to read it and then share some of the best parts with you.  I still plan to do just that but I already want to share some of the introduction from KEEP MOVING.  Yes, it was that good!  Here it is:

“Old age should be revered, admired, respected, treated to dinner, opened and allowed to breathe like a fine wine, given aisle seats on an airplane, helped up the stairs, and looked upon with patience, especially in the checkout line at the grocery store.  Old people like to make conversation with the checkers.  If approached correctly, says this former Boy Scout, old age should be considered a merit badge for a life well lived.  Old age should be a lot of things.  But it should not be rushed.

I am 89 years old as I write this at my home in Malibu, California, which means I am in my 90th year on this planet, and by definition, I am old.  Very old, I suppose–older than the average male, who now lives to be 76.4 years old (the average female lives to be 81.2).  But if you are 65 or thereabouts today, your life expectancy is even longer.  You should start thinking of 65 as the new 40.  In other words, you aren’t old yet–you are merely on the launching pad of old age.

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Gray unmarried at a disadvantage?

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Unmarried Boomers Confront Old Age: A National Portrait

by I-Fen Lin and Susan L. Brown, Ph.D.

The Gerontologist (2012) 52 (2):153-165

“The proportion of midlife Americans (aged 45–63) that are unmarried has increased by more than 50% since 1980. Today, one in three Baby Boomers is unmarried. The vast majority of these unmarried Boomers are either divorced or never-married; just 10% are widowed. As Boomers move into older adulthood, the unmarried share will grow as married Boomers continue to experience divorce and widowhood.

The marital status of unmarried Boomers matters. In general, divorced Boomers have more economic resources and better health than widowed and never-married Boomers. Among women, widows appear to be the most disadvantaged as they enjoy fewer economic resources and have poorer health than divorced and never-married women. In contrast, never-marrieds are the least advantaged among men. Despite having relatively high levels of education, never-married men have poorer economic circumstances and are most likely to live alone. Divorced and widowed men are comparatively advantaged. Thus, both the marital status composition and gender of unmarrieds are critical to deciphering the potential risks or vulnerabilities facing this growing group of Boomers.”

“The rise in unmarrieds at midlife has significant ramifications for old age.”

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Embracing life after 50

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Becoming an Elder:  The Next Step in a Life of Meaningimages (47)

By Lorie A. Parch

July 26, 2016

“It often seems that our culture neither values the aging or the aged.

Simply put, things aren’t like they were in our grandparents’ era when older folks received a fair amount of respect.. So these days, the idea of becoming an ‘elder’ may not sound like something you’d ever want to do. If so, you’d be missing out on an essential life experience, says Michael Gurian, a counselor and author of the about-to-be-reissued The Wonder of Aging: A New Approach to Embracing Life After Fifty.”

…Gurian thinks that becoming an elder in your circle, or even in a wider community, is extremely important—and not just because it helps others. ‘We want to become elders because a life of meaning now depends on it,’ he says emphatically.”

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Note:  Gurian’s book was re-released in paperback June 7, 2016.

Healthy, vibrant aging tips

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healthy vibrant agingHealthy Living Made Simple

by Joyce Dillon

July/August 2015

“Why just survive as you age when you can thrive?

The human body is a beautiful, intricate system that functions at its best when we consciously care for each part of the whole: our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual self. If we neglect even just one seemingly small part of our body’s system, our whole body tends to not function at its highest potential. So, to enjoy a long, healthy and vibrant life, I suggest you develop and maintain those four key areas by incorporating these 10 tips.

  1. Love yourself – Aging well begins and ends with love. Practice giving and receiving love; it will change your life. Embracing and sharing love is the key to living well and maintaining a youthful spirit.
  2. Keep learning – Stay informed about current issues, technology and health trends. Be open and willing to meet new people. Travel to unknown destinations. Read and learn something new each day. Learning keeps your brain active and sharp.
  3. Laugh – Laughter really is great medicine because it’s a natural stress reducer. Laughing releases chemicals in our bodies that can drive away pain and fear, two emotions usually associated with aging, so laugh often. If you have to, buy a laugh: Rent a movie.
  4. Exercise – Keep your feet moving daily. Impaired mobility and balance are top aging concerns, for good reason. Daily exercise and foot care are extremely important because your feet make movement possible. Benefits of regular exercise include less depression, increased alertness, clearer thinking, improved ability to handle stress, and enjoyment of a positive mood. Start now, get moving, dance and kick up your heels.
  5. Eat well and healthy – Learn about antioxidants, phytonutrients and essential fatty acids; consume them every day. Prepare or buy savory food for yourself, and enjoy. Make mealtime a pleasure. Avoid eating in front of the TV while you watch stressful news.”

Read the entire article for tips 6-10 as well as advice for “a day in the life of a  healthy aging individual”

Joyce Dillon, RN, MN, BCC, is the founder of Joyce Dillon Inc.  She is a certified life and wellness coach, holistic nurse, author and intuitive painter.