Lola Holmes, age 100 -- World's Oldest Active Curler.
Scientists say human lifespan in the future could be as long as 120 years. So, if we retire at age 60, we could be living half of our lifetime in retirement. Does this change how you think about your future?
Diet, exercise, taking care of your health and avoiding accidents are, of course, important to survival. But they also increase your odds of experiencing productive, disability-free and enjoyable elderly years. Studies of populations with high numbers of people who live to age 100 also suggest that having a purpose in life outside of yourself, doing good for others, and making your mark are also important factors in longevity. Being socially connected with family and close friends is considered essential for optimal health as well.
So gear your life plan to longevity to make the best of the time that may be available to you. Just imagine all you could accomplish in those extra 60 years if you maintain a healthy body and mind!
How you begin your day has a strong influence on how your day goes, and each day influences what you accomplish in life. Let me share what I learned in reading a thought-provoking article entitled “How to Feel Amazing Before 8 a.m.” -- and I expect these ideas would work as well for retired folks (like me!) who start their day at 8:30...
Set yourself up the night before for a successful day.
No screens for 1 hour before bed (except perhaps a low-light e-reader)
Stop thinking about work (if not retired!) or about your problems
Be ”present” with loved ones or enjoy a hobby or relaxing activity (reading, art, etc)
Create a good sleep environment (cool, quiet room, comfortable bed)
Sleep at least 7 hours, or your ideal amount of sleep
Getting enough sleep is associated with improved memory, longer life, more creativity, lower stress, increased attention, less dependence on caffeine, greater ease in maintaining a healthy weight, and decreased risk of depression and accidents.
Set your bedtime to allow sufficient sleep before your chosen wake up time.
Set an alarm and get up at your planned time.
This can give you your first achievement of the day and is thought to boost daily confidence.
Choosing an earlier wake time is an ideal way to “create time” for projects or activities you’ve been wanting to do.
Change your environment soon after arising.
A fresh environment boosts energy.
Step outside for 5 to 10 minutes, look out the window to check the weather, water your plants or just move to another part of your home to welcome the new day
This increases energy because the brains loves novelty and newness.
Take 5 to 10 minutes for some type of meditation or writing
Imagine the future you want to create for yourself
Assume the feeling of being there to improve your mood for the day
This can be done in the “fresh environment” you chose in step 4.
Albert Einstein said: “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”
Listen to Quality information as you exercise.
You need to be physically fit to enjoy your elderly years.
Stimulating your brain as you exercise your body sets you up for a productive day.
Headphones with a screen or just audio are both effective.
Try TED Talks, audiobooks, or online courses (many free ones are available).
Eat a healthy breakfast and include foods that help brain function (at breakfast and through the day)
Suggested “brain foods”: nuts, seeds, avocados, beets, blueberries, bone broth, coconut oil, egg yolks, turmeric
Include fermented foods and foods that contain probiotics and fiber.
A healthy gut = a healthy immune system and healthy brain function. The gut and brain communicate with each other through nerves and chemicals called neurotransmitters.
Then begin work on your creative project while you are in an energized “peak state”, early in the day.
Do tasks or projects that are most important to you first to make sure they get done.
With the energy and sense of achievement you've created, you may find that you get more done later in the day too...
Accomplishing something significant early in the day, sets you up for a great day. And taking those few minutes to think about what is most important helps to ensure you focus on what you really want to accomplish. Just imagine what you can do with that “extra” time each day…
I wrote this article because I‘d really like to do this… Are you with me?
References:
I’ve Decided to Live 120 Years by Ilchi Lee
CTV News -- World's Oldest Curler
