Age-ism: Don't Buy into it!

Age-ism: Don’t buy into it. We must mentally re-wire our thinking to continue our journey of aging in the best way possible. Understand the importance of how we perceive our own aging process, especially in context with how others perceive us. It’s never too late to start thinking ‘ageless’, after all, age is just a number.

Read the advice of those who know:

Don’t accept it. Don’t excuse it.
• Studies show that ‘age-ism’ can literally shorten your life. A longitudinal study at Yale of people 50 years and older showed that people who had more positive self-perceptions of getting older had extended lives of more than seven and a half years, much longer than those with negative attitudes about aging. Those people experienced more memory issues and lower self-esteem.
• Gerapsychologists are working to stop negative age stereotypes and meet the growing mental health needs of older adults.
• Your age does not define who you are. Don’t let stereotypes convince you otherwise.
• Retiring from a job or profession doesn’t mean you are retiring from life or giving up your identity.
• Opting for assisted living instead of remaining in your house doesn’t mean you are throwing in the towel and dropping off the grid.
• Share your experience. Yours is unique to anyone else in the world.
• Stay in touch with the younger generation. You have much to teach them, and they have much to teach you.
• Be open to new things. Be your ageless self.
• Don’t silence your own voice. Be in charge of your own choices.
• There are always lessons in life to teach, and to learn- at all stages.
• There are new adventures and memories of a life-time still to be made.
• You still have dreams to fulfill!

While society may stereo-typically infer that the older people should step aside at this stage, and let the younger generation have its day, it doesn’t mean you must adhere.
If the ‘full-circle’ life-cycle of age-ism caught you in its spokes in your youth, or your aging years, it’s time get back up on the seat, kick it in high gear and take the higher road for the ride of your life!