Aging with Grace is All About Acceptance and Gratitude

What Does it Mean to Age Gracefully?

To help me get a sense of what this term really means, I surveyed 24 people of all ages (most aged 50-69) and asked them to define “Aging with grace.” I enjoyed reading through the responses and I’d like to thank everyone who participated. I’d like to share with you what I learned, and I will also include my own thoughts on the subject.

“Grace is a quality that many aspire to, but I think in the context of today’s society, what defines grace is somewhat elusive.” – Survey respondent, 49 or under

For the most part, aging with grace is one’s ability to accept the aging process and all the changes that come with it. We could almost change the term to, “Aging with Acceptance.” Aging (or the passing of the years) brings many changes to our physical appearance and abilities (physically, mentally); it also brings changes to the world and our lives. Aging with grace means we are able to accept, adapt and accommodate these changes.

The attitude we carry into our later years will also influence our ability to age with grace.

How to Embrace Aging 

When it comes to aging gracefully, embracing the aging process is the first step. As we get older, it’s important to make healthy lifestyle choices, including staying active with regular exercise or physical activity, maintaining a healthy diet, keeping up with social activity, and tending to other aspects of life that contribute to your overall health and wellness, and should continue to do so with each passing year. When you embracing aging, you become:

• Happy
• Maintain a positive attitude
• Confident
• Wise

Lean into Change

Regarding “healthy” lifestyle — as we age, our risk for developing age-related illnesses and diseases increases. I think it is important that even if we develop health conditions, we take care of ourselves and try to recover quickly or learn how to live well with chronic illness. I know many people who are aging with grace despite chronic illnesses. It all comes down to a positive attitude. For example, does arthritis become who you are or is it just something a part of your physical health that you need to live with and manage?

“Grace is an inside job with outside effects.” – Survey respondent, 49 or under

If we are able to practice self-love as we age, by “nurturing our bodies and minds,” (Survey respondent, 50-69) we tend to be happier and more at peace. It helps us improve our confidence, and live a life that is in line with our true and authentic selves. As we become more compassionate about ourselves we will become more compassionate about others. We can continue to be “gracious to others, and make people feel good”, no matter what their age (Survey respondent, 50-69).

“Aging with grace means aging with confidence, valuing the experience, knowledge and wisdom that comes with age, and rising above a youth-oriented culture. – Survey respondent, 50-69

Harnessing the wisdom and personal power that comes with age helps us age with confidence. There is great significance in the realization of the value of knowledge and experience gained from years lived. Only then are we able to choose to live a life designed and driven by our own personal values. We realize that we are responsible for our own lives and decisions are made with the wisdom that comes with age and the personal power that we embrace and celebrate.

“Allowing the power and wisdom of aging to be apparent in one’s presence — including the ability to break stereotypes of aging.” – Survey respondent, 50-69

Live in the Moment

Being present in the moment in the here-and-now, while focusing on the good things in our life will help us live and age with gratitude. Practicing mindfulness will help us age gracefully with grace.

The ability to re-frame our challenges and limitations of old age can help improve our outlook and overall attitude. Being resilient in the face of adversity will also help us a great deal.

Living a conscious life, knowing that we have a finite time here on earth, enables us to focus on living a life that honours our individual values and goals.

I can also tell you what aging with grace IS NOT. It is not about complaining – such as “moaning upon standing” or “whining about wearing reading glasses.” Aging with grace Graceful aging is “void of anger, regrets and baggage from the past.”

The more we learn to accept aging as a normal lifelong process, make peace with it (not war), the happier and more confident we will be.

How to Age Gracefully with Silverts

If your senior loved one or an older person in your life is struggling with entering their golden years, help them keep their confidence up with Silverts’ adaptive clothing options. For caregivers and adult children, learning how to help with aging parents and loved ones is an ongoing process that affects the physical and mental state.

I’ll leave you with this: Only one person over 70 answered the survey, and gave me something to laugh about. When asked, “How would you define aging with grace?” the answer was:

“I don’t know anyone named Grace, but, I am aging.”

This article first appeared on angelagentile.com