8 Steps for Aging Gracefully

 

 By Andrew Weil, M.D.

 

Andrew Weil, M.D., a graduate of Harvard Medical School, serves as director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, and is the author of "Spontaneous Healing," "Eight Weeks to Optimum Health," among other bestsellers.

 

 

The suggestions in this gallery are intended to help you become more aware of your spiritual self. Any activity that makes you feel more alive, more connected to others and to nature, less isolated, more comfortable with change, is beneficial. It will enhance your physical and mental health. It will help you accept the fact of your aging. It will help you to age gracefully.

 

Take the first step to graceful aging....

 

 

Pay Attention to Your Breath

 

 Many cultures identify breath with spirit, seeing the breath cycle as the movement of spirit in the physical body. Simply minding the breath is a way of expanding consciousness beyond the ego, of experiencing transcendence.

 

Connect with Nature

 

 You can do this by walking or sitting in a natural setting; a city park will do just fine. Allow yourself to slow down, drop your usual routines, and just absorb the influence of the place.

 

Spend Time with Your Loved Ones

 

 Make a list of people in your life in whose company you feel more alive, happy, and optimistic. Make an effort to spend more time with them. Our spiritual selves resonate with others, and that connection is healing.

 

Remember the Little Things

 

 Bring flowers into your home and enjoy their beauty.

 

Soothe Your Soul with Sound

 

 Listen to music that you find inspirational and uplifting.

 

Seek Out Beauty

 

 Admire a work of art that raises your spirits: a painting, sculpture, or work of architecture.

 

Make Amends

 

 Reach out and try to resume connection with someone from whom you are estranged; practice forgiveness.

 

Do Service Work

 

 Give some of your time and energy to help others. The possibilities are endless, and there are so many ways to help in addition to writing a check to charity.

 

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