To get you started on reinventing yourself, here are some ideas from
the editors of Healthy Aging® Magazine (www.healthyaging.net).
Maybe they will help you think outside the box:
10 Tips for Reinventing Yourself
- Do not act your age or at least what you think
your current age should act like. What was your best year so far? 28? 40?
Now? Picture yourself at that age and be it. Some people may say this is
denial, but we say its positive thinking and goes a long way toward feeling
better about you. (Tip: Do not keep looking in the mirrtor, just FEEL IT!)
- Be positive in your conversations and your
actions every day. When you catch yourself complaining, check yourself
right there and change the conversation to something positive. (Tip: Stop
watching the police reports on the local news.)
- Do you have negative friends who complain all
of the time and constantly talk about how awful everything is? Drop them.
As cruel as that may sound, distance yourself from people who do not have
a positive outlook on life. They will only depress you and stop you from
moving forward. Surround yourself with energetic, happy, positive people
of all ages and you will be happier too. (Tip: Smile often. It is contagious
and wards off naysayers.)
- Walk like a vibrant, healthy person. Come on.
You can probably do it. Analyze your gait. Do you walk slowly because you
have just become lazy or, perhaps, have a fear of falling? (Tip: Make a
conscious effort to take big strides, walk with your heel first, and wear
comfortable shoes.)
- Stand up straight! You can knock off the
appearance of a few extra years with this trick your mother kept trying to
tell you. Look at yourself in the mirror. Are you holding your stomach in,
have your shoulders back, chin up? Check out how much better your neck
looks! Fix your stance and practice it every day, all day until it is natural.
You will look great and feel better. (Tip: Your waistline will look trimmer
if you follow this advice.)
- How is your smile? Research shows people who
smile more often are happier. Your teeth are just as important to your
good health as the rest of your body. Not only is it the first thing people
notice, but good oral health is a gateway to your overall well-being.
(Tip: Go to the dentist regularly and look into teeth whitening. Nothing
says old more than yellowing teeth!)
- Are you lonely? Stop brooding and complaining
about having no friends or family. Do something about it now. Right this
minute. Pick up the phone, land line, or cell and make a call to do one or
more of the following: Volunteer your time, Take a class, Invite
someone to meet for lunch, brunch, dinner, or coffee. (Tip: Volunteer at
the local public school to stay in touch with younger people and to keep
current on trends, take a computer class or a tutorial session at your
cell phone store to keep up with technology, choose a new person every week for your dining out.)
- Start walking not only for your health but
also to see the neighbors. Have a dog? You will be amazed how the dog can
be a conversation starter. (Tip: If you do not have time for a dog, go to
your local animal shelter and volunteer. You will be thrilled by the puppy
love!)
- Make this month the time to set up your annual
physical and other health screenings. Go to the appointments and then,
hopefully, you can stop worrying about ailments for a while. (Tip: For a
list of recommended annual health screenings, a great resource is the
Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
- Find your inner artist. Who says taking music
lessons is for young schoolchildren? You may have an artist lurking inside
you just waiting to be tapped. Have you always wanted to play the piano,
violin, or tuba? Have you ever wondered if you could paint a portrait or
scenic in oil? What about working in wood? (Tip: Sign up now for fall art
or music classes and discover your inner artist!)
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