Growing older can be an enriching journey, filled with experiences and wisdom gained along the way. Yet unexpected challenges often do appear. We will look at a few of the realities of aging you may not be prepared for, so that you may be just a little bit more prepared.
Unexpected Aches and Pains of Aging
With age comes unexpected pains. Sleeping incorrectly may wreak havoc on your back, and walking can strain muscles. Our body finds new ways to remind us that it has aged. Sometimes it seems as though we need a user manual just to keep up with the next ache, pain or strained muscle. It can also cause us, often unnecessarily, to worry and fret about our health. In reality, chances are good it’s just that our bodies are losing a bit of resilience despite our best efforts. In this case, gentle acceptance and continued self-care can help us relax into the aging process.
Modern Technology Can Be Confusing
Every year, technology progresses faster than we can or want to keep up! Smart phones, smart homes, and everything smart seems to advance at lightning speed. Staying on top of all of the latest changes can feel exhausting. We miss our older, simpler versions of just about everything! When setting the timer on our microwave now boggles our mind, we dream of simpler times.
What we can change is the way we deal with these challenges. We have a couple of choices. We can go to war with the thing and battle our way to our desired end, phone of friend, call on a young person for assistance, or opt out of using the item. Whichever path we choose, it behooves us to look for a smooth road and a soft landing. Even with technology, acceptance of what is and who we are now is a corner stone to aging abundantly.
Young Peoples’ Slang and Pop Culture
Remember when you knew all the cool lingo? Unfortunately, those days may have passed us by. Today’s slang seems foreign, doesn’t it. Keeping up with trending memes and popular culture can be confusing. You’re not alone if you’re asking “What’s a TikTok?”, or if the music and movies young people are engaged with seem hard for you to relate to.
There come a moment in time when suddenly you feel “out of date”. It’s a tough pill to swallow for those who prided themselves in being on top of things. Still, a long life presents us with realities of aging we are not prepared for, and this is one.
MORE REALITIES OF AGING TO CONSIDER
Sleep Pattern Changes
Who knew sleep would become such an elusive thing? Some nights it eludes us all together. On other occasions we find we are treated to an early wake-up call. Gone are the days when we could sleep until noon. While sleep disturbances can be causes by health issues and medications, the most common reason in older adults is the natural disruption of the circadian rhythm that accompanies the aging process. As a result, we do not sleep as deeply and therefore wake up more often.
A few things that may help include exercise and fresh air, hydrating early in the day so you’re not up a dozen times at night, limiting screen time several hours before bed, a bedtime routine that includes a gradual winding down. Reading, listening to relaxing music, taking a shower or bath and diming lights may all promote a better night’s sleep.
Losing Loved Ones
Death is always unexpected and wrenchingly heartbreaking. One of the realities of aging is that we begin losing friends and family members at an increasing rate. The longer we live, the more loss we are apt to experience. Participation in funeral arrangements of family members can be an additional challenge.
It may be helpful to know that while funeral supply services continue to innovate with eco-friendly caskets or custom urns to honor a loved one’s memory, sites like https://www.hiltonfuneralsupply.com/ even provide customizable options.
Decluttering Dilemmas
The longer we live, the more “stuff” we are likely to have collected! There comes a moment in time when many feel overwhelmed by it all and long for simpler surroundings. We may decide to downsize our belongings or downsize our home. Either way we come face to face with the aunting task of deciding what to keep and what to pass on, what to give away and what to put in the trash.
It’s harder than we often expect! Each item holds precious memories that are difficult to let go. We don’t realize how attached we are to an old birthday card or broken vase until we are faced with letting it go.
Time Slippage
Our perception of time can change quickly. Weeks can feel like days and months can fly by in an instant. As birthdays and holidays flit by unexpectedly, planning ahead becomes harder to do as everything quickly passes us by. Keeping track of everything can seem overwhelming.
This is where and when using a calendar, post-it note reminders, and other memory aids comes in handy. Don’t be afraid to write things down in multiple places where you’ll be sure to see and benefit from the reminder.
Dietary Sensitivities
One of the more challenging realities of aging that is likely to crop up is that of changing taste buds and digestive issues. We may discover that food doesn’t taste as good as it used to and/or that we are suddenly unable to tolerate some of our favorite foods. Spicy meals become something to fear. It’s amazing how our body changes. It may even be quite sudden. Be sure to discuss any health concerns with your doctor, but otherwise our best option is just to listen the dictates of our body and follow its lead.
Coping with the Realities of Aging
Aging can be a journey with many unexpected turns and surprises along the way. Facing the realities of aging can help us move toward their acceptance. When we find little and big ways to adapt and avoid dwelling on the unpleasantries, we have more space to lean into the upside of being older. It is a journey that can be more joyful than problematic if we don’t fight what is. With aging comes wisdom and depth, self-awareness and self-acceptance that we may not have had in our youth. Now that’s something to celebrate!
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