Recent headlines highlight growing tensions around social perceptions of aging.
Specifically, young adult and adolescent women have become increasingly concerned with anti-aging (i.e., preventing the appearance of getting older).
A desire to maintain a personal standard of youthfulness is not inherently wrong.
However, distorted narratives/perceptions around beauty and well-being can lead to significant mental and emotional challenges such as body dysmorphia, depression, anxiety and self-harming behaviors (i.e., excessive dieting, poor nutrition, risky behaviors).
Aging is a natural and unavoidable aspect of life’s journey.
Rather than constantly fighting against it, we must all learn how to embrace the process on our own terms.
Below are a few tips for aging gracefully that have nothing to do with your looks:
Take care of your mind: The mind is the catalyst for our physical experience. A strong sense of self-worth, creativity, gratitude and positive regard are traits that never expire. These attributes also influence our bodies cell quality and immune system.
Embrace wisdom: We’re all changing and learning daily. Realistically, you will never be the ‘you’ from 5-10 years ago again (even if you look the same). Consider each year of getting older an opportunity to reflect back on how your life has or can be changed for the better.
Listen to your body: Youth comes with the illusion of indestructibility. We eat and do what we want with little consideration of consequences/limitations. However, longevity requires consistent maintenance and intention. You will never regret learning how to listen, nourish and move your body in ways that are effective and sustainable.
Choose your own narrative: Media depictions of aging influence a false idea that quality of life and feelings of happiness decrease over time. But you can fall in love, travel, change your career, build a new life, heal and embrace your inner child at any point in the journey.
It’s never too late to believe you’re worthy of a fulfilling, beautiful and joyful life!
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