ACCEPTING AGING: YOURSELF AND OTHERS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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• Understanding why many people fear aging

• Exploring ways to shift your perspective

• Considering ways to embrace aging

• Developing your own plan for accepting aging

QUESTION

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How do you feel about the process of aging?

A. Apprehensive

B. Angry

C. Sad

D. Positive

E. Excited

F. Other

GERASCOPHOBIA

This is the fear of growing old or of old age. There are several symptoms, such as the following:

• Irrational fear of growing old

• Feeling of panic, anxiety, terror, or dread

• Physical reactions, such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, or trembling

• Extreme avoidance measures taken against aging

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WHY WE OFTEN FEAR AGING

• Being undesirable

• Sickness, pain suffering

• Being less than we should be

• Fear of loss

• Being alone

• Death

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THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCEPTANCE

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QUESTIONS:

• How do your fears about aging affect you?

• What do you achieve by worrying about it?

You cannot change the fact that you and your loved ones will become older. Stressing about the fact will only harm your health and tire you out!

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

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• What can you start doing today to maximize your experience of life?

• What can you start doing today that will make you feel better about yourself?

• What can you start doing today to increase your happiness and fulfilment of your life?

• What can you start doing today to really be living life to its fullest?

• What can you start doing today that will make you look back and think that you could not have thought of a better way to live your life?

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."

- Mark Twain

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HOW TO EMBRACE AGING

Accept that life is different

Figure out what you

want

Take risks and be flexible

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SHIFTING YOUR PERSPECTIVE

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• Cultivate relationships.• Connect with spirituality.• Make a difference.• Protect your health.• Exercise your mind.• Nurture your creativity.• Rejoice in nature.• Build your legacy.

"Aging is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should

have been."

- David Bowie

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ACTIVITY FOR YOU TO REFLECT

Take some moments after this session to do the following:

1. Write five things you have learned in your life so far. Embrace your wisdom.

2. Write five things you are grateful for in your life right now.

3. Write down five things you have achieved in your life.

4. Write down five things that you want to achieve in the future.

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HEALTHY AND POSITIVE AGING

• Move naturally

• Purpose

• Manage stress

• 80 percent rule

• Eat more beans

• Minimal alcohol

• Sense of belonging

• Loved ones

• Create a tribe

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THINGS TO CONSIDER

• Maintain a positive outlook.

• Embrace your fears.

• Create cheerful daily habits.

• Treat problems as an adventure.

• Explore "elderhood."• Be conscious of your values.

• Cultivate your people skills.

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REACH OUT

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• If you find yourself feeling anxious about aging, talk to someone.

• Open up to friends and family.

• Use the support available within your organization, such as your EAP.

• There is help available, and you are not alone.

MOVING FORWARDS

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• What can you start doing today that will make you feel more positive about the aging process?

• What can you start doing that will make you look back and think that you could not have thought of a better way to live your life?

Write down an answer to these two questions.

ALWAYS AVAILABLE.ALWAYS CONFIDENTIAL.

FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCECONTACT YOUR EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)