BE THE BEST VERSION OF YOU

When we talk about "successful" aging and a "healthy" lifestyle, the conversation usually zeros in on diet and exercise. No doubt, what we eat and how we move are REALLY important. But a successful, satisfying lifestyle is SO MUCH MORE!

We often spend years looking forward to having free time when we retire, only to be bewildered by what to do with it when it becomes a reality. After I retired, I realized that most of my adult life had been about work...and suddenly I was facing this giant void. 

As an interior designer, buyer, merchandiser, shop owner, artist, and public relations and marketing person, my life had revolved around my hectic schedule. I ate a lot of take-out and skipped meals regularly, often opting for copious amounts of coffee and pastries for the energy boost I needed to get through the afternoon. I considered "busy" my exercise. 

In the evening, I often just crashed in bed with a bowl of cereal. Food was less about nourishing my body and mind, and more about stress management. My food choices (mostly unhealthy) were based on my mood...or whatever I was craving at the moment...and exercise was pretty much non-existent.

But then retirement, rather than setting me free, offered days...weeks...months...of floundering with no real sense of purpose. And then for most of 2020, the pandemic turned me into a prisoner in my own home. My only communication with family and friends was via telephone or social media. Simultaneously anxious and depressed, I ate (over-ate) out of frustration and boredom and binge-watched HGTV and The Food Network for hours every day. I was miserable, overweight, and painfully out of shape. 

I made a bit of a comeback at the beginning of 2021, only to backslide later that year. And then on Christmas Day 2021, a trip to the ER revealed that I had Omicron.

After my recovery, I decided it was time to make some major lifestyle changes.

Which brings me to this: WHAT IS NECESSARY TO LIVE A HEALTHY, SATISFYING LIFE?

I'm sure there is no "one size fits all" answer to that question. After much contemplation and research on the subject, I have devised this plan that is working for me. It has been a process. Some days I feel very confident, while others are more problematic. However, I'm trying to be kind to myself, as I know it takes a while to un-form negative habits and develop more positive habits. But my health and well-being are at stake, and I'm feeling more motivated than ever to make these changes for the better!

THE PLAN 

1. Whole Food: More fruits and veggies, some meat and fish, and less processed food and sugar. (Will go into this more later)

2. Movement: This includes a variety of things...yoga, walking, and strength training (hand weights), as well as movement in everyday life...things like housework, gardening, taking the stairs, or parking farther away from a store, going to the dog park with Daisy and Blue...and activities like putt-putt, cornhole, golf, darts, badminton, bowling, etc. 

3. Relaxation/Meditation/Recreation: Resting...not sleeping...reading, drawing, listening to music, sitting on the patio in the evening and stargazing, going to an art gallery, museum, or concert, taking a class, or just pursuing a particular interest or passion. (I have a few!) And of course, there is actual meditation. Guided meditation is great for relaxing the body and clearing the mind. 

4. Sleep: Getting a good, solid 8-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. So important!

5. Connection: With friends, family, nature, pets...there are studies suggesting that feeling lonely is more deadly than high cholesterol. Having a supportive network is key to a sense of well-being.

6. Spiritual Beliefs: For me, it is God. But it's a fact that most people who believe in some form of a Higher Power...whether it's Christianity, the Universe, or another World Religion...tend to live a happier, more content, less fearful lifestyle.

7. Purpose: Whether it's a job, a career, volunteering for a cause, or taking care of your home and family, we all want to feel a sense of purpose. It doesn't necessarily require getting a paycheck...but purpose does give us self-credibility and responsibility, and a reason to get up in the morning. 

All of the above categories interact and overlap...but you get the picture. To be the best version of you is much more than just "eating right" and "going to the gym." These are the things that work for me. 

Only YOU can decide what works for YOU!