This is a guest post by Amanda Kidd.

Growing old is a natural process.

The process of getting old starts right from the day we are born. So, why do we need to worry about it?

It is very common to see that people, after a certain age, start getting concerned about becoming older. The birthdays that were once a time of celebration, are now full of anxiety and angst.

Stop Worrying About Getting Older

Nobody knows what is going to happen in the future, therefore, it is useless to worry about getting old. You hear some people say that they want to die before they grow old. How do such people decide that growing old is bad, even before they actually get old?

Growing old is beautiful. Age brings intelligence, experience, respect and knowledge. Overcome your fears and enjoy your life. Every age brings something special, so cherish it.

Here are some of the common fears related to aging and how to overcome them:

Fear of Losing Attractiveness

It is very natural to get wrinkles and lines with age, which snatches your youthful looks. But, is it really true that old people do not remain attractive? True beauty comes from within. The experiences of life bring that much-needed attractiveness in personality. Now, you can judge things better and have an intelligent approach towards life which is always attractive.

Fear of Losing Freedom

It is easy to worry about losing some of your independence as you grow older.  However, you are still a free person and can do whatever you want. As you become older, you gain discernment about what is good and what is bad. You can be choosier. Also, since your children are grown, you actually have more freedom to spend some quality time by yourself or with your spouse. Instead of worrying, enjoy your freedom and do something you always wanted to do.

Fear of Losing Fashionable Style

Although you cannot dress like a teenager because it won’t suit you, you still will have many other options that will give you an elegant look. If you dress according to your age, you can still look stylish and fashionable. Create your own personal style and do not run after the latest clothes. This will make you confident and smart.

Fear of Gaining Weight

Although there is often a slight gain in weight as you grow older, it varies significantly from person to person. If you exercise regularly and eat healthy, you will not gain much weight.  Staying active is the best way to prevent excess weight gain.

Fear of Being Lonely

Why do you worry about being lonely when you have a house full family? You have children, grandchildren and other people who can talk to you and care for you. Maintain a good relationship with them. Try to understand the younger generation and be friendly and supportive with them. Make friends with others your age and share your thoughts with them. Meet and chat with them and enjoy the time you have to spend with a wide variety of people.

Fear of Getting Diseases

You cannot stop diseases from gripping you at any age. Not only older folks, but even very young people sometimes suffer from severe diseases. If you follow a healthy lifestyle, you can help to reduce the risk from many common diseases like diabetes, hypertension,etc.  Worrying certainly doesn’t help your cause.  The best you can do is live vigorously while you have your full health.

Fear of Death

Death can come anytime. So, stop worrying about it and stay optimistic. Our thoughts reflect in our health. Be positive and face life bravely.  Living fully is the best way to overcome a fear of death.

There is No Reason to Worry About Aging

Getting older is a part of life and we cannot run away from it. It is better to accept the truth. Instead of worrying about unnecessary things, focus on something more useful and enjoyable. We cannot simply curse aging and be gloomy all the time. Life is a beautiful journey. Do not waste it by being fearful about aging. Focus on the pleasures of life. Search for new opportunities and possibilities. Think about your achievements in life. Age gracefully and stay young at heart.

About the author:  Amanda Kidd is a blogger who is a health buff and religiously follows a healthy lifestyle. She leaves no stone unturned when it comes to maintaining the perfect work-life balance. These days she is busy writing on nutrition and fitness.

Photo: Copyright PhotoXpress.com

I’ve hit my forties and really for the first time in my life I’m having to start to think about ways to stay young. 

I want to be sure I’m in good physical shape later in my life so I can enjoy the fruits of retirement.  I want to travel, play with my future grandchildren and generally stay active, but to do this I need to remain in great physical and mental shape.

Therefore, I’ve taken a greater interest in how to stay young.  Staying active and healthy for as long as possible is a big part of living life to the fullest.

The Ways I Plan to Stay Young As I Get Older

I get tired of seeing grandmas dressing like twenty year olds.  This is not what I mean when I say that I want to stay young.  I’m also not into plastic surgery or what I consider to be other extreme ways of trying to preserve youthful looks.  This is vanity taken too far.

I believe a person should act their age, I just don’t think they should have to feel old.  I want to be sure that I have the energy, health and mental acuity to live an active, vibrant life for many years to come even if I start wearing my dress socks with my shorts. 

I’ve decided to focus on a dozen simple ways to keep myself feeling young as I get older.  Here is what I plan to do:

1.  Eat Foods with High Nutritional Value

I plan to include the eight best foods to eat every day in my regular diet.  However, I’m also going to look for other foods that have high nutritional value.  I want to avoid foods that are fatty and contribute to heart disease.  I also want to control my calorie intake.  I don’t want to get crazy, but I do want to feed my body the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

2.  Exercise to Keep My Heart Healthy and Body Strong

Mainly, I ride a stationary bike 4 to 5 times per week for about 20 to 25 minutes per session for good cardiovascular health.  However, I need to add some upper body strength training to my routine.  Staying strong is important as one grows older.  My wife has found that Wii Fit is a great addition to a physical fitness plan. 

3.  Read Variety of Good Books to Stay Sharp

Reading is a very easy thing for me to do because I enjoy it immensely.  The good news is that there are a number of benefits we derive from reading books.  Primarily, it helps us to keep our minds sharp and to stay abreast of the latest trends.  If you are looking for examples of what to read, I highlight a lot of great books in my Resources for Super-Charged Living and also in 5 Incredible Books That Changed My Life.

4.  Maintain a Positive and Enthusiastic Attitude

It is common to hear that people grow old and bitter.  I definitely want to avoid this.  I believe our thoughts have incredible power over our lives.  Henry Ford said, “Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.”  I want to keep my attitude positive and enthusiastic as I grow older.  I believe this will afford me the best life possible.

5.  Engage Children and Young Adults in Activities

One powerful way to keep feeling young is to surround yourself with young people.  Their energy, enthusiasm and liveliness tends to be infectious.  I know that my two young daughters help to keep my wife and I moving.  The activities we engage in as a family and with other young families are good exercise and feed our minds the message that we are young and active.

6.  Spend Plenty of Time Outdoors

Nature is rejuvenating.  When you are outside, you are naturally active.  Sitting down and becoming a couch potato is the quickest way to grow old fast.  Your body and your mind deteriorate when they are idle.  Fresh air, sunshine and the sounds of nature are stimulating.  One of my favorite things to do outdoors is go for an invigorating hike.

7.  Cultivate a Good Sense of Humor

There are some really amazing health benefits to laughing more often.  I think we have to work to cultivate our sense of humor throughout our lives.  Being witty is an important part of being charming and charming people build more relationships.  Laughing and having supportive relationships are two essential ways to beat stress which is a major factor in aging.

8.  Discover New Hobbies for Continual Learning

Hobbies help us to stay mentally and physically active.  One day I hope to start a saltwater aquarium.  I love the ocean and diving so this is a way that I can bring a piece of it home with me to admire daily.  The desire to learn new things is an essential part of staying mentally sharp.  As an added bonus, you may be able to generate some extra income from your hobbies.

9.  Practice Gratitude Daily

Practicing gratitude is very important to me.  Reminding ourselves of all that we have to be thankful for helps to make us happy and keep us positive.  I believe gratitude is important no matter what your age, but as we grow older it helps us to remember how rich and fulfilling of a life we truly have.  Practicing gratitude helps us to maintain the proper mental attitude which directly impacts our physical health as well.

10. Teach and Encourage Others in Worthy Matters

A great way to feel useful and significant is to share your wisdom and experience with others.  Knowing that you still have value and can contribute in a positive way to the life of others really helps one to stay young.  Many people greatly underestimate their value as they age.  Getting involved in teaching people a useful skill, hobby or concept is a fantastic way to feel young.

11. Challenge Self to Take New Risks

As we grow older, we often become more conservative and less willing to take risks.  We need to continually push ourselves outside our comfort zone in order to fight becoming stagnate.  The best way to overcome fear is to plow right through it!  Think about starting your own business or learning to scuba dive or traveling to Europe.  One or more of these will help you to feel young and alive!

12.  Continue Quest to Live Life to Its Fullest

For me, I know that living life to the fullest is a life-long quest.  It is something that I will never give up on.  I also know that it will help me to stay young at heart.  It pushes me to test the boundaries and to follow my sense of curiosity.  Life certainly doesn’t end when you reach 40, 50, 60, 70 or even 80!  Many people have accomplished amazing things late in life.  Growing older is inevitable, but we can never stop living!

What are you doing to stay young as you get older?

Photo by Let Ideas Compete

The advantages of being in your twenties.

It has been awhile since I was twenty-something, but as I recall there are some advantages.  I enjoyed my twenties and believe that for most people this decade is characterized by freedom and exploration.  Adult life is new and the world is wide-open with opportunity.  Here are some things that generally go with being twenty-something:

• Single
• Attractive
• Active social life
• No children
• Good health
• Lots of energy
• Stamina to live fast
• Simple lifestyle
• Low cost of living
• More freedom
• No one else to answer to for actions
• More adventurous

For most people, their twenties is a time to try new things and discover who they are.  It is exciting to finally be a full-fledged adult.  I remember these years fondly.

The advantages of being in your forties.

Contrary to what some believe, life is not over once you turn forty.  In fact, I have found that there are a number of positives that come with this age.  I think that once you reach forty, you have started to understand more about yourself.  You have usually endured some hardships and learned a few life lessons.  You have settled down and resolved many of the questions that you had in your twenties.  Here are some more things that generally go with being forty-something:

• Married
• Not as concerned about looks
• Wiser due to experience (i.e. learned from mistakes)
• Fewer, but deeper relationships
• More patient
• Greater financial resources
• Increased appreciation for kids
• Live at slower pace
• Surrounded by family
• Better at relaxing
• Values health
• Established in career
• Less social pressure

My thoughts about age and its impact on our lives

As I started out saying, I think there are seasons in life.  Each has its positives and negatives.  I certainly enjoyed my twenties and often reflect on the days where I had less responsibility and things were simpler.  However, I am also grateful for where I’m at now.  I’m very happy with the life that I’ve built.  I believe I have more contentment and have learned to slow down a little to truly enjoy what I have.

In terms of living life to the fullest, I think that these two decades of life have different things to offer. 

Your twenties are active and adventurous.  I would encourage every twenty-something to read Marc’s 70 Things To Do Before Having Children and heed his suggestions.  Go out there and try new things!  Discover as much as you can about what the world has to offer.  Take risks while there is less to lose.  The world is your playground!

On the other hand, I would challenge those in your forties to be grateful for all you have.  You have the experience and wisdom to make this the most fruitful season of your life yet.  You still have time to build and savor.  The forties are a sweet spot!

What do you think?  Which is better?

I’m interested in knowing your thoughts.  Which do you think is better, being twenty or forty?  Leave a comment below and state your case!

Photo by thievingjoker