FINDING OUR COMFORT ZONE AS WE AGE

When we are able to create a level of comfort in our day-to-day lives, we are in a much better place to cope with the unexpected. This is especially true the older we get when resilience makes a difference in how we bounce back physically and emotionally.

The uncertainties of aging, such as loss, health issues, etc., are apt to come along and push us out of our comfort zone.  It’s helpful to take some time to consider what we personally need to feel content in life. Once we have an idea as to what these things are, then we can take steps to beef them up. Everyone deserves a comfortable level of comfort!

Take a few minutes to create your own list of “comfort” features. Following are a few items to consider adding to your list.

Self-Confidence

Living life has a way of giving us a healthy nudge toward increased self-confidence. We have a better idea of who we are and who we are not. We’ve learned to be comfortable in our own skin and accept ourselves for exactly who we are. Enhanced self-confidence is something we can continue to work on throughout life and doing so will continue to increase our level of comfort.

Comfortable Living

We will also want to consider adding a comfortable place to live to our list. After all, our home is our sanctuary. When it comes to comfort it’s not always about how big a place we live in, our how “stuff” we have. Especially as we age, comfortable living is more about ease of movement, safety, accessibility, and proximity to caregivers and friends. In order to achieve this end we may want to consider senior care services, downsizing, or moving into a retirement home. Considering our level of comfort will help us make these are decisions when it’s time.

Abundant Health

Next on the list (or perhaps it should be first) is the comfort that comes with good health. The older we get, the less we take good health for granted.  There is great comfort in knowing we’re in good health. It makes everything easier. Making lifestyle adjustments is the best way to keep us in our healthy comfort zone.

Financial Security

Financial security not only gives us more freedom in retirement, it gives us peace of mind. One of the best ways to achieve this end is to talk with a financial advisor. Such a person will show you in black and white where you stand financially and advise you on a budget going forward. Knowledge is power.

Happiness & Fulfillment

And finally, it’s safe to say that we all want to be happy and fulfilled in our lives. Yet, we may not stop to consider that these things keep us in our comfort zone, or that we have a degree of control over them. If a sense of purpose is important to us, then it behooves us to consider what activities bring this about. When making your comfort list, consider what activities bring you happiness and/or fulfillment.  Is it spending time with loved ones, working on a hobby, learning something new, or traveling? There’s no time like the present to do the things you most enjoy doing and being with the people you most enjoy being with.