Dr Dian Griesel is waging a war against ageism. From a platform called Silver Disobedience she, by word and by deed, actively rejects and disregards the notion that getting older somehow equates to irrelevancy or obsolescence.
Granted there are some elements of getting older that may be a tad scary for some people.
There are various answers to the question, “What is your biggest fear of growing older?” Dr Griesel reports the common answers to this including:
- Serious illness.
- Loneliness once our significant other has passed.
- Taking care of elderly relatives.
- A sense of declining attractiveness.
- Lack of retirement finances; and
- Fears around body changes for women and loss of virility in men.
Dian Griesel maintains these sentiments may be understandable, but her viewpoint is focussing on the ‘bright side of life.” Here are six of her best suggestions:
- We have much clearer priorities
As we age and experience new things, we come to realise what matters — and what doesn’t.
- We don’t care as much what others think
A regret that many of us may leave this world with is the fact that we cared so much about what others thought.
- It’s easier to manage our emotions
As our tolerance increases — and the amount that we care what others think decreases — we can personally focus less on the negativity surrounding us.
- Headaches can be fewer and further between
Dr. Carl Dahlof, founder of the Gothenburg Migraine Clinic in Gothenburg, Sweden analysed 374 migraine patients with an age range of 18 to 74. At the start of the study all patients claimed to suffer from one to six migraines a month. When Dr. Dahlof followed up with the patients, at least 30% of them had not experienced a migraine within the last two years. While the rest had experienced at least one migraine, the results were astonishing:
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- Eighty percent reported fewer migraines
- Fifty-five percent reported significantly less duration of migraines
- Sixty-six percent reported that the pain intensity had decreased
- Only one percent reported their migraines becoming more frequent.
- We have a higher sense of self-worth
We experience and grow as we continue to age, realizing exactly what we are capable of. As a result, we are less likely to sell ourselves short; or to set boundaries based on what we think we can do, rather than what we know we can do.