50+ Lifestyles

Putting the Brakes on Feeling Old!

By Mary Schricker Gemberling

“Anyone who stops learning is old,
whether twenty or eighty.
Anyone who keeps learning is young”
                             … Henry Ford

It is early afternoon on a Monday in January, and I have just returned from my garden club meeting. We had a lesson in flower arranging taught by Harriet, who in her earlier years was a designer at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The result of today’s lesson was a beautiful arrangement that is proudly displayed on my coffee table. I am not telling you about this lesson to expound on the art of flower arranging, but rather to talk about the importance of staying active and learning new skills as we age.

Research shows that learning a new skill can improve our lives in many ways. Not having new experiences or learning new things can slow your brain down and make it less responsive. In a recent study, people who reported being bored and inactive over a long period of time had heart disease rates more than twice as high as the active, more curious individuals. Learning new things can also help to create emotional wellbeing.

When you choose to learn a new skill, you can build confidence and be proud of yourself. By actively taking part in something and looking forward to your next practice or session, you can give your life purpose and meaning.

One of the advantages of trying new things can be meeting new people. At my garden club session this morning, I met several individuals who live in our community. I am beginning to know more and more people from all over the country and now see them repeatedly at various events. It’s important to meet people who are different from us and have taken life paths we never could have imagined. As we evaluate the differing choices, we can feel more confident about our decisions. It also challenges us to be more open about others’ decisions and mind sets.

I do not mean to undermine the importance of spending time with old friends; as we age we tend to surround ourselves with people with whom we are most comfortable and forget about the world which exists in the parallel. This validates who we are and gives us a sense of security.

A few years ago, three of my best friends from high school all gathered at our country home for the weekend. We had not seen each other for years, but after the first hour of catching up it was like we had never been apart. Being with them was like wearing old shoes, comfortable and easy to walk in. But we all know that you can’t just have old shoes; it’s more fun to add to your collection and have many different kinds of shoes and friends for all occasions.

Regular socialization and life-long learning can help seniors maintain a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives,  as well as fostering a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. The research is indisputable; inactivity and passive behavior can threaten both physical and cognitive health. So it’s now up to you; get up and get out! Make the best of your golden years!

“What I have learned so far
about aging,
despite the creakiness
of one’s bones and
cragginess of one’s
once silken skin, is this:
Do it. By all means do it.”
                        … Maya Angelou

Mary, a former educator and Seniors Real Estate Specialist, is the author of four books: The West End Kid, Hotel Blackhawk; A Century of Elegance, Labor of Love & Ebenezer United Methodist Church; 150 years of Resiliency.

Those of you living in the Quad Cities have multiple options for keeping active and engaging with others:

The Moline Township Activity Center (MAC) located at 620 18th, Moline Illinois, offers a variety of activities including cards, Mahjong, Ping Pong, and Line Dancing as well as programs in nutrition and wellness. For additional information call Roxann at 309-797-0789.

A second option is the CommU program which offers interesting classes in diverse areas such as arts & humanities, personal enrichment, regional studies and theology & spirituality. Since 1979, thousands of “active learners” seeking personal enrichment have participated in this annual community program held in February. For additional information contact Blackhawk College at 309-796-5900.

Another choice is CASI. The Center for Active Seniors, located on West Kimberly Road in Davenport, Iowa, boasts 40,000 square feet of activities which includes arts and crafts, fitness classes, social activities and events, intergenerational programs, and many other educational opportunities.

A wonderful way to get out and meet people and engage in a variety of social activities is to join the Plus 55 Club. Through membership in this organization you can take advantage of educational seminars, theatrical performances, bike rides, trivia nights, and travel opportunities. For additional information about what they have to offer, send an email to qctimesplus60@gmail.com.