by Edna Thackeray

Created on: June 10, 2008

The top five keys I have found helpful to me since passing the ripe old age of fifty, are
nutrition, plenty of sleep, planning and scheduling,staying informed, and garnering first-rate cooperation and companionship from willing and able friends of all ages. I am learning first-hand that aging gracefully is not a given; due diligence and fortitude are prerequisites. As my wonderful mother once said long ago,only the strong survive. To weaken is to grow helpless and overly dependent on other people, who are probably too busy with their own responsibilities to be overly concerned with aging parents,relatives and friends.

I stopped partaking of McDonald-like fast food early in my forties and only "slipped" for a
salad or a yoghurt. Low-fat and low-calorie was the mantra of the day; those Big Macs and double cheeseburgers days were over for good. Meals became much smaller and I began cooking my own soups and stews in earnest again. Home-cooked meals were nutritious and well-balanced and saved me alot of money. No more fancy restaurants with chocolate eclairs and cheesecake for me!

Whether it was a matter of natural aging or not, I found my energy levels ebbing. Just no
extra pep. I relished turning in around nine or ten p.m. and waking early refreshed. The night owl flew the coop! I could not push myself to greater lengths as I had in my youth.
I had to use my energy more wisely and learned to balance days or productivity with days of
rest and relaxation, which, to my surprise, was easily accomplished by understanding my own
natural biorhythms.

As a matter of course, I found my days to be less hectic and more fufilling when they
were planned with some forethought and I took the time for scheduling, or prioritizing my
responsibilities. Lists came in handy. Phone ahead! Taking the time to be well informed
went hand-in-hand with the reality of getting my task finished to everyone's satisfaction.
This may be particularly important to those who feel their memory "is not what it used to be."

Last of all, and certainly not least, being active and having family and friends nearby
is always a great source of comfort and companionship. It is possible to die of loneliness.
People who live alone and have few personal contacts often lose interest in social activities. They neglect personal care and household duties. Fear,depression and hopelessness will
decrease the quality of life a person may have enjoyed earlier in life.

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