Learn Proven Ways To Enhance Your Well Being
“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think.” —Buddha
For each of us, whether 16 or 65, the reality of ageing is something we explore as each new year arrives. Enhancing the quality of our lives is a goal we all aspire to, whether we see that as being healthier and happier, having more time to do the things we love, spending more time with family… the list is endless.
Interestingly, many people place an age limit on their ability to keep setting goals and chasing dreams. In home care we often talk with our clients about the idea of Happier Ageing. Regardless of age, it’s all about living your best life, to the very end.
The power to choose the way we frame ageing is within everyone’s grasp. The potential our mindset holds to improve and enhance the quality of our lives means we can prevail, despite challenges we may face as we age. To live mindfully and with purpose. To live independently and with peace of mind. To seek out, cultivate and nurture positivity. This gives us, what we call at Nurse Next Door Home Care Services, the Power of Happier Ageing.
There’s never been a more important time to shine a light on the benefits of a positive mindset and the power of Happier Ageing. Research has found that happiness can improve heart health. It can enhance the immune system, reduce disease and disability, increase longevity. It can even alleviate pain in the context of disease.
Happier Ageing is about positivity. It is about understanding what we’re capable of, at any age, and how our lifestyle choices impact our actual or biological age. It is about how we think about our lives and how we live our lives, regardless of whether we need support services in the home. It is not about being in a constant state of unbridled joy. Positivity is a state of mind and empowers us to engage in the world around us, pursue our passions, strengths and abilities, so we realise our potential and prosper.
There are 3 important keys that form the foundation of a growth mindset and that will help you unlock the power of Happier Ageing to reframe the way you view ageing.
Key # 1: Awareness
The first key to unlocking the power of happier ageing is to know whether you have a fixed or a growth mindset.
Listen to the voice in your head and become aware of whether you are doubting yourself and your ability. For example, look for times when you find that you’re doubting yourself, saying something like: “I’m too old to do this.” Be aware of when you’re focusing on failure rather than success. This is often when you try something new or challenging, like using new technology or re-learning to walk after a fall.
Key #2: Reframing
Once you are aware of that voice in your head you can learn to control it. The way that you can interpret challenges and obstacles you face is up to you.
This is the most challenging step. It is difficult to reframe the voice when you have well grooved patterns. The way to think about reframing is to imagine giving advice to a friend. Naturally you would never use a harsh, critical voice when trying to help a friend. If you would never do this with a friend, then why are you doing it with yourself.
Key #3: Taking Action
After reframing comes action.
What challenges can you take on in order to foster and nurture a growth mindset? What challenges have you been avoiding? Choose a challenge and try it again, but this time, turn your fixed mindset around. New habits can replace previously negative ones. Weaker can become stronger. With the science of neuroplasticity we can reverse a lot more habits than most people realise.
As you head into the new year, whatever stage of life you’re at, and whether you need a couple of extra hours of home care or 24/7 around-the-clock care, know that it’s never too late for positive change. These three keys are instrumental in unlocking the power of happier ageing. Once you have mastered them you can practice reframing your mindset and take on any challenge life throws your way!
At Nurse Next Door, we are passionate about Making Lives Better. If you want to celebrate ageing click here to learn more about The Power of Happier Ageing or contact us today on 1300 600 247 to discuss how Nurse Next Door can help you keep doing what you love.