Why Age Well Die Well?

I have to explain myself. Everyone seems to “like and get it” when I use the term ‘Age Well’ and then gasp when I say ‘Die Well.’ All my life, I have just wanted to help people live their best life. I especially appreciate us, who are working so hard, juggling so much in their 50’s and way beyond.  Working for over four decades in the medical field and being raised a Christian, I have seen too much that doesn’t go along with helping people live their best lives.  In and out of the hospital, there is a missing piece of the puzzle that isn’t a priority. This missing piece hits us like a ton of bricks when we are faced with life’s significant challenges of all kinds and the reality of the end of life.  My 67 years have shown me that my original passion for helping people “live their best life extends to help people live your best life until your last breath.”  The idea hit me like a lightning bolt, I would name my business Age Well Die Well, a clear representation of my commitment to assisting people on their journey towards a healthy and meaningful life and peaceful end.

• Some of the challenges I see faced by those 65 and older are linked to a lack of awareness and support.   We spend time working hard, raising our children, loving our grandchildren, and caring for our older parents. This leaves a huge gap in the ability to pay attention and give attention to our own self-care.  It often feels like being a hamster on a wheel.  It is so exhausting, and most times, we aren’t even aware of the toll it takes on our own aging well process.  The stress levels climb high, often incognito, setting a foundation for poor physical, emotional, and spiritual outcomes. It's time we recognize and address these issues.  

Attention to self-care is not overrated; it is essential. When there is only so much time in the day, it may be overlooked altogether.  Some may realize something different is needed but don’t know how or what to manage to make a change, how to get off the hamster wheel, or how to add one more thing.  Some people recognize the deficits needed and attempt to do ‘something’ or work on one aspect of a deficit they see.  Too often, they cannot be consistent due to feeling overwhelmed, unsupported, and lacking critical knowledge to help guide their choices and goals. But remember, self-care is not a luxury, it's a necessity, and it's within your reach.

What do we need to age well? A holistic approach that includes attention to not only the physical body but also the spiritual and emotional. These three together work beautifully to live a full and happy life until the last breath.  

 

One of the first self care aspects people look to improve upon are the physical aspects. For a person who is aiming to get healthier it is expected to choose one or a couple of aspects initially.  Our body needs oxygen, water, fuel ( food), sleep, nervous system balanced for minimal to moderate stress, functional movement, muscle strength.  Emotionally we need to feel connection with others, feel secure, have autonomy, creativity, feel sense of control, love, coping abilities, self esteem and compassion. What is too often over looked? Spiritual needs are too often overlooked. This is the missing piece of the puzzle. You may have heard ‘we are spiritual beings living in a physical body’.  This is a crucial fact to be aware of as we live our journey.  Our spiritual being is intensely the key that helps us not only age well but also die well.  You see, our spiritual body is what gives us life; it is what is breathed into us at birth and stays a part of us until the physical body dies.  Our spirit is fed by feeling the love of connection and community, faith and hope, having a vision and ethics, and seeing and appreciating the beauty surrounding us. Our spirit is the essence of who we are. It guides us, and we can share it with others.  You may have witnessed light, warmth, and calm around some people.  This is because our spiritual self is our energy, and energy radiates out from us, whether we want it to or not.  We can feed our spirit with prayer, meditation, spending time in nature, and being present in the moment.  

There are many ways people build their spirit up. Feeling grateful is powerful.  Sometimes, this doesn’t come easy, and it takes practice,  but boy, does it pay off.  

Recognizing our power, our choice to be open to possibilities, and implementing these holistic lifestyle habits are crucial to aging well and dying well.  I’ll be building upon these thoughts next time.