We take our youth for granted. When you were a child and rode that bicycle with no hands, did you realize how quickly those years would fly by? Yet, it’s possible to stay young at heart even as life moves forward.
During those years when you started your career or a family, Father Time carried you. You were unaware that he was sprinting, the calendar pages flipping until that one day when you woke up.
And you were thirty. Forty. Fifty. Sixty. Seventy. Eighty. You stand in front of the mirror and say, “When the hell did this happen?” How can I feel young at heart?
I think it’s possible, but you have to be willing to do the work.
The Importance of Laughter
The other day I took a class with a traffic school in Sweden. There were four people in the class, one from Ukraine, a young man from Bangladesh and a young mother from Pakistan, and myself. The teacher was my age, in his late fifties. The cultural contrast is important for the story.
In the class, our teacher told us that there are no laws in Sweden that will prevent an elderly person from driving. Up on the projection screen was a picture of a very old woman, with a huge smile on her face behind the wheel of a car. He went around the room asking us if there were laws in our home countries about driving while elderly. The last person to answer was the young man from Bangladesh.
“Yes, we have laws in our country. When a person gets old, around fifty-five or maybe sixty, they are no longer permitted to drive.”
The teacher looked at me. I looked at him. And we burst out laughing.
“So we should not be permitted to drive,” we teased, not letting the poor guy off the hook.
Soon the entire class was laughing. The young man was quite embarrassed and tried to save the situation. “No, no…but you are young,” he stuttered. But he couldn’t dig himself out of the hole.
We eventually let him off the hook, and moved on. But it occurred to me. In order to stay young, you must be able to laugh at yourself and keep things lighthearted. You can’t stop laughing and finding humor in everyday life, even if it involves yourself.
Don’t be so self-conscious about your age or limitations that you can’t laugh.
Move Your Body!
For goodness sake, don’t stop moving your body. The phrase “move it or lose it” is true. A simple walk, light weight training, swimming and stretching are activities that one can try.
Meet your body where it is today.
I saw an old friend for lunch when I first came to Sweden. She is a trainer at the local gym. “Come to my class one day and try it!” Her infectious laughter and positive personality really motivated me. So I showed up.
I loved her class and pushed myself too hard. My heart felt like it was going to explode so the next time I went, I paced myself better. When I arrived home, my husband said, “You have the biggest smile on your face!” Endorphins for the win!
Another woman who inspires me is an old friend who had a horrible accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury. She is a living example of meeting your body where it is today. Sometimes she posts her workouts on the recumbent bike. Watching the effort and determination it takes for her to challenge herself inspires me.
Find someone who inspires you. Exercise with a friend. Move it or lose it!
Learn Something New
I have friends that are constantly learning something new. One is making sourdough, another is taking programming lessons and one is learning about gardening. I also have one very ambitious friend who has decided he’s building a shed without prior experience. When I asked him about it, his response was “There’s always YouTube!”
Getting involved with something new also counts. Joining a gym, getting involved with a charity or club and other new experiences are all about learning. You learn about yourself and you learn about others.
Today I’m learning about the publishing industry and studying Swedish. Because I was willing to change my location, many opportunities have been presented to me, experiences that are helping me keep a youthful mindset.
It takes time and effort but you’re worth it. Take that camera that you bought and go take pictures. Pick up the sketch pad and doodle. Just begin.
Sleep
I’ve only been getting between five and six hours of sleep every night. Most of the reason behind this is that I spend my days with so many activities that I don’t want the day to end.
What I’ve noticed is that my blood pressure drops when I have enough sleep. I feel more positive during the day and I have more energy to exercise and do the things that help me feel youthful.
When I was a little girl, I went to bed at eight p.m. Voluntarily! Going to bed early is important for my biorhythms. Because no matter what, I will wake up between five and six every morning. The only chance I have to sleep is an early bedtime.
Sleep.
Spend Time with New People Who Aren’t Like You.
I’ve been surprised. I’ve met many people from different countries and backgrounds. These include Lithuania, Ukraine, Spain, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Syria, Greece, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Algeria.
They’ve made me laugh and have embraced me and my own culture. For some I’m the only American they’ve ever met. Others have told me that showing up to a class with me in it has been the best part of their experience in that class.
We are all more alike than we are different. Human. People who love and care for one another.
Have you shared meal with someone from another country? Have you laughed with them and shared cultural traditions?
All I can say is that it’s rejuvenating, to meet different people and learn about their lives. Maybe it’s not someone from another country, but maybe it’s someone with different viewpoints. Step into another world once in a while. You may be surprised. I guess it’s also about learning about yourself.
What is Feeling Young at Heart?
Feeling young is about engaging with life. It’s about your curiosity and willingness to explore. Show kindness and lift others up, even if it’s just with a smile. Play without needing an excuse. Learn without worrying about perfection.
This is how you feel young again.
You live and ride with no hands.
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