Aging Gracefully
Hello Friends, I watched a segment on the CBS Sunday Morning Show a while ago where 78-year-old Ted Danson talked about his philosophy of aging. Having always enjoyed him as Sam the affable bartender in ‘Cheers’, his subtle sense of humor as a commercial pitchman, and as a 77-year-old myself, I was very interested in what he had to say and a lot of it really resonated with me. So, for those who didn’t happen to see thesegment I thought I’d share his thoughts along with some of mine. There were 4 things he suggested. ‘Embrace your age at every stage of life rather than comparing your older self to your younger self or trying to stop the aging process.’ Like my love for the changing seasons, this has been something that I think unknowingly and without any effort I have been able to do. That doesn’t mean I don’t try and keep myself in shape. After 10 minutes of meditation in the morning I go through a 30 minute workout including Thai Chi, chair Yoga and Isometrics and then Tino and I do a daily 1-2 mile walk. ‘Stay Curious and Creative: Keep your mind active by learning a new language, taking an art class, or trying new hobbies. These activities boost brain health and can reduce the need for medications.’ I’ve been blessed with both an innate creative spirit and a vocation that has allowed me to express my creativitythrough food but I also have been recently trying to learn a little more Italian! ‘Nurture Relationships: Build and maintain a strong social network. Loving and staying connected to others leads to better long-term health and a longer life’. Not something I’ve always been very good at but this year I’ve made this a priority in my life and I’m all the richer and happier for it. Also, I can’t possibly overstate the impact Tino coming into my life has had on me. He is a constant, loving companion/Sous/Chef following me from room to room around the house with, not surprisingly, the kitchen being his favorite spot. ‘Keep Evolving: Focus on personal growth, find joy in everyday moments, and use humor and laughter to reduce stress and boost well-being’. My mantra has always been to try and improve on previous efforts and accomplishments…what’s past is done…but what’s next? Few things feel better than laughing with others. I would also add to this the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, which many people have complimented me on during my life. The restaurant business is notorious for its intense pressure and its ups and downs and, God knows, I’ve experienced lots of them. But research shows a positive mindset helps prevent memory loss, improves overall health, and increases longevity. When you believe life can be fun and meaningful at any age, you are much more likely to exercise, eat well, and go to regular doctor appointments. This continuous engagement is what Danson calls “keeping your foot on the gas pedal.” Cheers to you, Ted! David & Tino
