I am chuckling as I write this week’s blog. The title is most appropriate. I found myself reflecting on the past as I go through my normal morning routine. In my mind I repeated over and over “My how things change!”
FOR STARTERS…
Just this morning I was looking everywhere for my reading glasses. I went through each room in the house. I finally found my back up pair when I realized the ones I was looking for were perched on the top of my head. Really?
IF YOU THINK THAT IS BAD…
Recently I was rushing out the door to go to work. I was talking to my daughter on the phone as I hurriedly gathered my things. I freaked out because I couldn’t find my phone! Heaven forbid I lost it again. Imagine my surprise when I realized I was telling her how I lost my phone when I was actually talking on it. Seriously?
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
As a younger woman, I was always thrilled when my husband surprised me with gifts. Sometimes it was my favorite Stargazer Lily bouquet, a bottle of champagne, dinners out, and if the occasion was special, I even got jewelry. What a sweetheart he is.
GET A LOAD OF THIS
My how things change as the number of candles on my birthday cake increase. I was surprised and thrilled yesterday when I received a new mop in the mail! It is guaranteed to make those everyday chores a bit more fun. How thoughtful of him! Today he came with…the blood pressure cuff that I wanted. With age comes…different kinds of gifts. Does that mean the honeymoon is over?
WITH AGE COMES…
Grey hair and wrinkles and hopefully wisdom. Mayoclinic.org reports there are other things happening. Aging also affects your teeth, heart and sexuality. The risk of high blood pressure increases, your bones tend to shrink making them susceptible to fracture and possibly making you become a bit shorter. Muscles lose their strength, endurance and flexibility which can affect your coordination, stability and balance. You digestive system experiences structural changes that can result in constipation. You bladder becomes less elastic resulting in a need to urinate more often or cause you to lose bladder control. In men an enlarged or inflamed prostate can cause difficulty emptying the bladder or incontinence. Your brain also undergoes changes that may have effects on your memory or thinking skills. Eyesight and hearing also diminish with age. Your metabolism tends to slow. If you decrease your activities and continue eating the same as usual, weight gain can become an issue.
THAT’S THE BAD NEWS
We can’t stop the aging process but we can enjoy the ride! You can make choices that improve your ability to maintain an active and healthy life. Include physical activity in your daily routine, eat a healthy diet, don’t smoke, brush and floss regularly, schedule regular checkups and have a good social network of family and friends. If we can help, call us at 505-350-3397.