Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.

~Samuel Ullman

Have you ever wondered why some people age seemingly more slowly than others, while others seem to be on the express train to old age?

When we think about age, we generally define it with our chronological age. This is calculated in years, yet our biological age, aka physiological age, is assessed by our physical and mental functions. Many factors can influence these. Sure, we can partially attribute it to genetics. However, there are other crucial factors for staying youthful, and our biological age is one that we have some control over.

The mind is very suggestible; think something, and you create it. Imagine the sour taste of a lemon or a pickle, and your salivary glands pucker. Or, when telling a story and remembering a poignant moment, you tear up. Even though it is just a memory, your mind is recreating it, making it real. That’s because the body has created what the mind was thinking.

Our thoughts directly correlate to everything we manifest in our lives, including the words we use to describe ourselves. They define us. This makes our mindset on aging crucial, as it dictates our feelings about the aging process. Those thoughts result from our fitness regime, eating habits, drinking patterns, and lifestyle choices.

 Change your thoughts, change your life.

 

12 Thoughts for Staying Vibrant

1) It starts with your attitude. When you say, “I’m too old,” you are creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. So, if you say you are too old, you are.

2) Live your biological age and ignore those who tell you to act your age. Be the age you feel, don’t let the number restrict you.

3) Wearing the world on your shoulders will age you before your time. Let go of the problems you have no control over.

4) Do not blame your aches and pains on your age. Stop using it as an excuse for the consequences of our active lives. Our bodies ached when we were much younger from overexertion; those sore muscles may be from overdoing it in your yoga class or that extra mile you decided to run.

5) Forgetfulness could be just that. With technology providing all the answers, we are no longer required to stay active in our memory bank. Although a great tool, this technology can also impede us from exercising our minds. The more you say, “I can remember anything,” the more it will manifest. Choose to reinforce what a great memory you have by programming the mind with, “My memory is stronger than ever.”

6) Flirt. Flirt with a man, with a woman, with life, with the idea of doing something daring and fun. Feeling passionate about something will take years off your face and put a bounce back in your step. Being happy makes us feel alive.

7) When you say stress is killing me, it is. Stress is very aging for the body. Saying it is a fast track to being it. Find ways to let it roll off your back. Meditation and mindfulness practices are beneficial in letting go. Massage and body work assist in releasing it, as will deep and regular laughter.

8) Smile. You can’t smile and frown at the same time. Your lips turning upwards will always make you feel more beautiful, and smiling activates neural messaging that benefits your health and happiness. Do something that makes you smile.

9) Laugh. Laughter’s good for your heart. Laughter stimulates stress hormones, lowers blood pressure, works your abs, is excellent for cardiac health, releases endorphins, creates a sense of well-being, and bonds us with people. So, if you are stressed, find a way to have a good belly laugh; even when we fake it, we reap the benefits.

10) Refrain from spending time with people who complain, particularly those who complain about their age and ailments. Seek out multi-generational gatherings, which can be stimulating, uplifting, and fun. They expose us to cultural trends, music, food, new lingo, dance moves, and energy!

11) Do not use age as an excuse for not doing something. We may stay home for many reasons, which is fine, but do not pull the age card to get out of doing something. One day, you will make that true, as you will have allowed your mind to gauge what you are too old to do.

12) Have Sex. Aside from being fun, it helps you stay healthier. It lowers blood pressure, improves bladder control, lowers the risk of heart attack, counts as exercise, and stimulates creativity. So let’s have a workout and get lively

Our chronological number is just that—a number. It has no bearing on our quality of being. We are as vibrant and vital as we choose to be. So go for it with a spring in your step, a smile on your lips, and an easy laugh waiting to be expressed. Remember, age is an attitude; make it original. The time is now to change your perception of what is allowable. Break the rules, shatter the stereotypes, and express everything your soul has yearned to be.

Our minds are the limit, so make yours limitless.