Older people have (obviously) lived a long time, and have usually encountered – and overcome – most situations in life. As such, they tend to have some deep insights into human nature and the way the world works – insights that we can all learn from.
Recently, we’ve been asking our residents for their best life advice to publish in our newsletter, and everyone has been pleased to provide their own unique insight into life. Here’s some of the advice given by our residents in recent months – and why we think it’s a great idea.
“You should always respect everyone else” – Beverly Silby
This is great advice, especially when you consider that far too many people these days DON’T seem to respect anyone but themselves. Everyone is worthy of respect, no matter who they are or how they behave – respecting others should be a reflection of your own personality, not other people’s behaviour. Respect is not something others should have to earn, but something that you choose to give, because each human being has inherent worth. And when you respect others, they are likely to respect you too – leading to better and happier interactions with people around you.
“Always tell the truth” – Gwen Woodroffe
Honesty really is the best policy, and adopting a practice of truth will stand you in good stead throughout life. When you start being dishonest, things can get complicated, and you have to remember which untruths you’ve told, and when and to whom. It can quickly become a tangled web, and people will see through your lies sooner or later. Whether it’s in your business or personal life, it’s always better to tell the truth and be a person of honesty and integrity. This is particularly true if you’ve made a mistake or a bad decision – don’t sweep it under the carpet or try to deny it, just admit that you’ve made a mistake and go about fixing it.
“There is always someone to help you” and “I don’t believe in sitting still” – Elvie Hemphill
No matter how alone you may feel, that’s just a feeling – and not the truth of the situation. Because the truth is, there is always someone who can help you, no matter what you’re going through or how bad it is. Even if you don’t have family and friends around to help, there are professionals who can assist with any problem, or helplines or counselling services who will listen to you and provide support. Help can always be found – and no one ever has to go through their problems alone.
Not sitting still is also great advice, because, as we all no doubt know, exercise is medicine. Moving daily should be a way of life if you want to live your healthiest life in old age. There are so many benefits to exercise that it’s really no longer optional as you age – it has to become a way of life.
Exercise can reduce:
- Your chance of getting a chronic disease (for example, heart attack, stroke, arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, certain types of cancers such as breast or colon, obesity)
- Your weight, and problems associated with weight gain
- Symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Symptoms of dementia
- Pain
Exercise can increase:
- Muscle tone
- Functional strength and balance
- Bone health
- Feel-good endorphins, thus helping to manage depressive symptoms
- Confidence
Sitting for too long is known as the new smoking these days, and is extremely problematic for your long-term health. Exercise is the key to longevity and good health, and you should aim to fit in some exercise for 30 minutes a day on at least five days of the week.
You could also take Elvie’s advice to mean that you should always be trying to move forwards, rather than simply remaining where you are. When you stop learning, you stop growing, which leads to stagnation and staleness. Far better to have an enquiring mind, and always try to learn something new.
“Laugh a lot and be happy” – Peggy Hehir
Your attitude is up to you, and it’s far better to choose to look on the bright side rather than always finding the negative. People who laugh regularly and maintain a positive attitude tend to live longer than those who don’t – and to live better, as well. Laughing and staying positive is not just about adding years to your life, but also about adding life to your years. You’ll enjoy your life a lot more if you choose a positive attitude – and yes, it’s a choice. Start to be more aware of when your negative attitude comes out, and challenge it when it does – are your thoughts really true, or are you just looking on the dark side? Choosing gratitude, positivity and happiness will go a long way towards ensuring you live your best life – and isn’t that something we all want?
“Don’t jump to conclusions” – Helen Thompson
Some great, handy advice here, as more often than not, you’re getting things wrong by jumping to conclusions. Challenge yourself to pause and take a breath next time you’re tempted to jump to a conclusion – and get all the facts first before reacting.
“The more you read, the more you learn” – Audrey Nielsen
As we pointed out earlier, a focus on continual learning can help your mind stay sharp and engaged. Reading is a great way to learn, and it engages the brain a lot more than passively watching TV or listening to something. And there’s a wealth of knowledge and information out there to access. So, take the chance to read and learn about a topic you’ve always wondered about, because knowledge is always a great thing.
“Get out and enjoy yourself” – Jeanette Bolton
And finally, what might be the best advice of all – to get out there and have some fun. For too many older people, their world shrinks as they age, until they find themselves spending most of their time at home, often alone. This is probably the worst thing you can do for good health. Instead, make a point of getting outside, participating in activities, meeting friends or family and enlarging your world. Not only is this great for your health and wellbeing, you’ll also enjoy yourself too. And it’s just as true for young people as it is for older ones.
Thanks to our wonderful residents for their insightful and very helpful advice – there really is something there for everyone!
To read more about how to thrive in old age, click here.
