Creating Wellbeing as We Age || By Catherine Dockery, MA, Conscious Aging Facilitator
Why do you think the incidence of chronic illness increases with age? One would think the body is wearing out and breaking down like an old car. However, that’s an image of aging that doesn’t take into consideration the fact that the body can repair itself. So, while we are breaking down in some ways,
we are also able to utilize the bodies natural repair network to sustain our failings at a manageable level. Our physical bodies can restore health when given the right amount of nutrition, exercise and emotional wellness.
As a culture, we don’t do very well with managing wellness as we age. In fact, chronic conditions like diabetes are on the increase and occurring at alarming rates. Did you know that 80% of older adults over the age of 50 manage at least one chronic health condition? As we live longer, we increasingly
experience higher risk of chronic disease and that can lower the quality of our years left.
We need better wellness education to care for ourselves as we age
Are you looking for ways to improve your health and wellness? To learn to manage the changes from aging, consider these eight dimensions of wellness from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
- Physical Dimension – Almost all chronic pain and chronic illness has its roots in inflammation that is the result of lifestyle choices. Take personal responsibility for your health and make lifestyle changes such as physical activity, healthy eating, weight control, sleep, and other preventive health behaviors. Our physical health impacts our mental and emotional wellbeing.
- Intellectual Dimension – Continue to develop your intellectual potential by utilizing your life skills and experiences and applying them to further creative endeavors thus utilizing ideas, curiosity and creativity.
- Social Dimension – Genuine connection and a sense of belonging lead to feelings of being supported. Social wellness enables trust, boundary setting and conflict management. It encourages communication, builds self-esteem, and is crucial to building emotional resilience and strength.
- Emotional Dimension – Develop resilience in the face of change as we age – such as develop coping strategies to enhance problem solving, manage stress, foster a positive outlook. Utilize authentic relating techniques for deeper and more effective communication with family and friends. Reduce stress by resolving old triggers and emotional patterns.
- Financial Dimension – Develop money skills, like keeping track of expenses, determining budgets, and sticking to money goals thereby reducing difficulties that lead to stress, anxiety and fear.
6. Spiritual Dimension – Develop a world view that provides a sense of peace and harmony, and enables one to cope and adapt throughout life – with the ultimate goal of finding meaning and purpose, in the face of one’s personal challenges.
7. Occupational Dimension – Engage in meaningful and rewarding activities that promote a sense of purpose and accomplishment, including opportunities to contribute one’s unique skills, talents and knowledge to others at home, at work or in the community.
8. Environmental Dimension – We need beauty and connection to our natural environment. Our surroundings impact how we feel.
Notes & Sources:
- Eight dimensions of wellness from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
About the author: Rev. Catherine Dockery, MA, is a People House minister and a trained facilitator in conscious aging, nonviolent communication and resonant healing of trauma. She has an MA in Public Administration and BA in Communications both from the University of Colorado at Denver. Catherine started The Center for Conscious Aging in 2015 where she conducts workshops, personal coaching and support groups for older adults helping them to understand their developmental changes and transform their lives. She has 10 years of experience in individual and group facilitation and presents on aging topics throughout Colorado. To learn more about Catherine’s services please visit www.centerforconsciousaging.org or email [email protected]
