If you're feeling physically or mentally as if you're slowing down and wonder if it's because you're 70+, let's find out what we can do. When our body and mind shift into a lower gear without a medical cause, it is often a defensive response to overstimulation or prolonged depletion. We can reverse this sluggishness by targeting specific neurological, environmental, and behavioral resets. When the body feels like it is moving through molasses, it may actually be stuck in a "functional freeze" or burnout state from carrying too much underlying tension. Stimulate the vagus nerve (the what?). No, not the Vegas nerve so no running to your travel agent for flight and hotel reservations for the casinos.
Let's do this, practice the 4-7-8 breathing technique by:
• inhaling for 4 seconds
• holding for 7 seconds, and
• exhaling loudly for 8 seconds.
Now when I say "loudly", let's not wake up the neighbors but make some sound effect YOU enjoy hearing as you exhale. "Lawd have moicy", or "Bless my children", or "Another good day" are things you can say out loud when you are exhaling. This physically forces your heart rate to drop and tells your brain it is safe to release its grip. Try it. We'll talk about some other ideas next time we meet. Until then, sending hugs.
Growing older often feels easier and more fulfilling as a result of a mix of psychological shifts and spiritual grounding. Many of us find that emotional pressures, anxieties, and relentless busyness naturally fades. For the next 3 days, we'll explore the reasons. Today let's discuss Greater Emotional Wisdom.
Research shows that seniors are often happier and less stressed than younger adults. Older adults show a "positivity effect" (PE), meaning we tend to regulate emotions better and focus more on uplifting experiences. Thankfully, my PE is at 9 out of 10. How about you? Until tomorrow, be safe and stay focused.
Almost 71, I'm searching for an alternative term to "senior citizen." I sincerely embrace this season of my life but it's tough to accept being referred to as an older adult. Other widely used terms include retirees, pensioners (commonly used overseas), elders, and simply seniors, but I'll settle on senior. I have to get one of the staff in my building who is sincerely friendly and helpful to stop calling me "pops". GOOD AFTERNOON GOOD FRIENDS.
Yesterday, we talked about living with a positive attitude. I boasted to have a 9 out of 10 level of positivity effect (PE) and it was based on a simple test I found online. It is a list of questions you rate from 1-5 and with instructions on how to add the responses to certain questions to determine your score - takes about 10 minutes. I'm not licensed to share the test with you on Facebook, but if you message or email me, I'll send you the pdf file so you too can determine your PE score. I will reveal that the means for the positive effect is 33 and my score was 44. The means for the negative effect is 17 and my score was 11. So, I determined that positivity was easy for me.
Being a senior should mean hopefully being less concerned about external validation as we transition from a life spent proving ourselves and trying to please others and finally be at a point guided by authentic self-awareness, inner peace, and personal values. We now have shifted our thinking where we live by personal values, not expectations. Rather than making choices based on what society, peers, or family expect, we make decisions based on what aligns with our own core beliefs. Finally it's time we stop chasing achievements for the sake of societal status and focus on things that bring true meaning, true joy and true peace. Talk to you tomorrow.
Experiencing spiritual peace and trust in our senior years is deeply personal and vital. Now we have the time to reflect on our life and our blessings. Doing this can help maintain an attitude of gratitude which can heal emotional burdens and bring closure to many unresolved issues. Practicing quiet contemplation or deep breathing helps quiet our mind. Prayer is vitally important to help us with that as well. Whether through a morning devotional time shared with friends or simply reading from the Bible will help enhance our relationship with God or that particular Higher Power that comforts you. These things can provide the peace and reassurance we all need during life's dark and unclear moments. Spreading kindness or volunteering allows us to live out our values while we contribute our time and wisdom to others. It's up to each of us—on our own—to seek and find what we need to do to stay active, stay focused and forever thankful for this life we have. Thank you all for sharing this time with me while I chatted about being a senior.
Kindly leave a comment. If you prefer not to share your email, put "keephimfirst.sedgie@gmail.com" in that space.
More important to me is hearing from you and reading your comments. God Bless You!
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