SHARING IS CARING

The Years are Slipping By Are You Happy

It’s a known fact that happiness lengthens our lives. Unhappy people are far more likely to develop chronic and life-threatening diseases that may cut your life short and also make the latter years stressful and sad. Many changes happen as you age. You may lose a spouse, friends, family members that leave a void in your life. Retirement might make you unhappy if you have nothing to look forward to each day. If you’re in bad health, you may not feel like socializing and engaging in the activities you once enjoyed.

Happiness isn’t comprised of things. It’s a state of mind that exists when you enjoy life, what you’re doing and what you’re surrounded by. It’s true that you can’t be happy all of the time, but making a commitment to pursue happiness always is the surest way to keep negative thoughts away and enjoy life. If being alone makes you unhappy, reach out to others in your life. You may not be able to physically spend time with others, but with the technology available today, you can communicate very effectively. Use Facebook, Facetime, emails, and any other methods at your disposal to keep in touch and connected with those you care for. Isolation and aloneness can greatly impact your later years in a negative way. Don’t let that happen.

Get enough sleep. Sleep becomes even more important, both in quality and quantity as you age. If you’re not getting enough rest, find out why. Your doctor may have some suggestions or you can find a solution yourself such as avoiding alcohol and caffeine at bedtime and ensuring that your sleep environment is comfortable and non-intrusive. When you’re satisfied with how your life is going, you have more of a chance to be happy well into your later years. That doesn’t mean things won’t change and that you won’t have times of sadness or stress.

If you feel that the years are slipping by and you’re not satisfied with the way your life is being lived, take some time to assess your lifestyle. Think of things that would improve the quality and take steps to make that happen. Enlist help from others if you must. Keep your health as good as you can for as long as you can. Exercise, diet, socialization, and doing something you enjoy can all help toward ensuring your happiness and satisfaction as you age.

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