Conscious ageing… how to embrace your midlife and beyond

Everyone wants to reach a good age, but ageing can be daunting. How can we approach it more positively?

Ageing is the natural physical and mental process of becoming older. And in recent years life expectancy globally has hit an all-time high. This means that due to childhood immunisations, universal healthcare, and medical advances in treating diseases, people are living longer.

Whilst this is – in most cases – a good thing, it has meant that society’s views surrounding certain age groups have changed, particularly towards those in their mid-life. Balancing work, family life, and your own ageing is challenging. But there are approaches you can take to improve how you age. Welcome to conscious ageing.

Acceptance is a tool

We can’t just pause time. But there’s no harm in trying different things to cope with ageing. Whether it’s getting in touch with your health, your chakras, finding new hobbies, or delving into philosophy, there are ways to age consciously.

The truth is we are all incredibly lucky to experience ageing. Growing old is a blessing that not everyone has the privilege of experiencing. In reality, it is a miracle we even exist. We are spinning on a rock in space, one of billions and billions which just so happens to have the right conditions to create life. This is so rare, in fact, that we are the only life forms we know of. So, to experience our surroundings, even just being here in the first place, is a miracle.

Read more: Time to ditch the phrase ‘anti-ageing’?

It might not feel like that though when you don’t recognise the face in the mirror, or the bodywork is slowing down, or you’re more frequently unwell. But there is always stoicism…

Harness your inner stoic

When speaking to Joyce, 90, about her thoughts on ageing, she highlighted the importance of stoicism. Stoicism encourages people to focus on what they can control, and accept what they cannot, teaching emotional resilience and strength. A lovely philosophy to embrace when accepting ageing, and in fact for ALL areas and times of your life.

Stoicism harnesses rationality, understanding, and strength as key principles. This teaching encourages us to focus on what is within our control. As people age it is common to feel a lack in agency, but when using philosophies like Stoicism, it is easy to find things you can control.

Choosing to age consciously means recognising the inevitable, as Stoicism teaches.

Practicing self-acceptance is another great way of ageing consciously. By taking control of your decisions, and reflecting upon them, you can make choices which are more authentic to you. Self -acceptance is important, as it doesn’t just mean accepting what one may deem a ‘negative’ quality. It means being aware of these qualities without emotional attachments to build better habits. If we cannot accept the natural ageing process, it can be harmful to mental wellbeing.

And talking about your mental wellbeing…

It’s perfectly normal to grieve the body and lifestyle you once led. Understanding that things have shifted should be embraced, it is a normal part of life that no one can escape from. Ageing is the most natural thing in the universe, and it’s unavoidable; death catches up with us all in the end. If anything, we should make the most of the life we have!

Accepting that your body has changed, and that you may need more help in day-to-day life is challenging.

But looking after your mental health should always remain a priority too, no matter your age. According to the World Health Organisation approximately 14% of adults over the age of 60 live with a mental health disorder. Adjusting to each stage of life can be hard for everyone – and not just the older age process. For many people teenage years can be challenging, for example. So why is your midlife or later life seen differently?

Meditation, regular exercise, and sleeping well are all vital to ensuring you stay positive during life’s challenges. But we all face them. So simply talking to others who are going through the same thing can be wonderfully helpful. The internet is a great tool for communication. Support groups for issues such as menopause, ageing, loneliness, or specific illnesses like bowel cancer can be found both online and in person. Having someone to talk to can make a world of difference.

Staying physically active

Although you may be able to delay facial signs of ageing through cosmetic treatments such as Botox, fillers and chemical peels, there is no easy fix for the rest of your body. Staying fit, healthy, and active is important no matter your age.

Not only will this benefit your mental wellbeing, but it will enable you to remain as active as possible for as long as possible. Although changes are inevitable with ageing, exercising regularly, eating little processed food, and giving up smoking will help your body to stay in the best possible shape for as long as possible.

Healthcare providers often recommend 150 minutes (about two and a half hours) of moderate intensity aerobic activities such as swimming, tai chi, dancing or running. On top of this it is recommended to do muscle strengthening activities such as squats or lunges twice a week in order to stay active as you age. By blending exercise activities into your weekly routine, like stretching when watching TV, or lunges when you get out of bed, you can fit more movement into your day.

In a study of adults ages 55-79 with longstanding exercise routines, researchers at King’s College London and University of Birmingham found they had the immune systems of much younger adults. Through incorporating physical activities into your day-to-day life you can stay healthier for longer, allowing you to work on the aspects of aging that you can control.

A refreshed look on life

Changing your outlook on ageing through various philosophies and working on improving your mental and physical health will allow for you to age consciously. But also with positivity. Preparing yourself for the future helps create the right conditions to enjoy and embrace ageing as just another part of life. Your age does not define you.

Books on conscious ageing:

Conscious Living, Conscious Ageing – Ron Pevny
Aging Thoughtfully – Martha Nussbaum and Saul Levmore
Lifespan: Why We Age – and Why We Don’t Have to – Dr David A. Sinclair