Research conducted at universities across the country reveal a clear connection between how and what we think, and the state of our physical health. This research provides conclusive clinical data that points to the importance of our attitudes in dealing with aging, illness and other issues in our lives.
The truth is we control our attitudes. Charles Swindoll, renown pastor and author, eloquently agrees:
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you…We are in charge of our attitudes.”
In the book Optimal Aging, Albert Ellis and Emmett Velten have developed 20 suggestions to live by. Here are the top five.
1. Face Reality
If you cannot change some aspect of reality, live with it and make the best of it.
2. Take Action
Build your life actively and you will get more of what you want and less of what you do not.
3. Create Yourself
You can change your beliefs about life’s circumstances, including aging.
4. Accept Responsibility
If you accept responsibility for your feelings and actions, you will save time and energy by not defensively blaming others.
5. Do It Now
If you’re going to change, there’s no time but the present.
While these are all excellent suggestions, those suffering from “clinical depression” may find it more difficult to ease their pain. If you are sad for longer than 2 weeks and if your sadness is accompanied by impaired sleep, change in appetite, isolation, withdrawal, thoughts of suicide or irritability contact the Behavioral Medicine Center for Seniors at 889-4300.
Eighty percent of all seniors who receive counseling and medication as appropriate for their depression get relief from their symptoms.
Richard Jackson, MPA, will discuss all 20 suggestions for optimal aging at this year’s Successful Aging Conference. Be sure to sign up for the Optimal Aging workshop. |
