New tricks:
What can younger generations teach us?
The world’s changing at lightning speed giving the impression of pulling generations in different directions. The good news is there’s more which unites than divides us. Let’s see what tips we can pick up from younger family members.
Keeping an open-mind
It’s easy to fall into the trap of continually reminiscing about ‘the good old days’. But there’s still plenty of great stuff happening right now. Try recapturing that curiosity of youth, it’ll help with remaining intellectually engaged and receptive to new ideas. Read newly-published books not just old favourites, watch current movies, maybe even some world cinema? Step outside your comfort zone and join in with activities you haven’t tried before. The possibilities are endless.
A National Institute of Aging study, examined levels of curiosity displayed by over 65s and whether continued curiosity correlated with better health. The results showed those with an open mindset enjoyed better physical and mental health. The publication Psychological Science reported older adults who took up a new activity for just three months considerably improved their memory, compared to those who didn’t.
Actively remaining Healthy
Youth and health maybe synonymous but today’s young adults are clued up on not storing up problems for later life; the young person’s mindset is prevention. That can be anything from going to the gym regularly to wearing a smartwatch to keep track of their steps and other vitals, as well as healthy eating. They download apps to track their health and if something isn’t working well, they get it fixed and move on.
Back in the day, you waited until things were bad before making a doctor’s appointment. Now a range of NHS health checks are available – usually for free – at the GP, or increasingly, the pharmacy. Seize any health problems right away and don’t dismiss them as something that’s just inevitable with old age. This way, you can be in control of your health, just like the younger generation are.
Finding the right Balance
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is a given for young people in the workplace. While older workers often dedicate a disproportionate amount of time to their careers, neglecting their well-being. Time to throw that idea out once and for all! Start making time for leisure pursuits, hobbies and socialising with friends. You’ll feel an immediate uptick in your outlook – and your mood.
Similarly, don’t fight ditching the tasks you’d rather avoid, life really is too short. Younger people think nothing of getting in a cleaner or using a robot vacuum cleaner. Take a leaf out of their book, and invest in labour-saving devices or services to help you strike the right balance.
Stiltz Homelifts are a big advocate of the open mindset. Being proactive and installing a Stiltz home lifts rather than struggling with stairs not only saves strength and energy for something that’s more fun but will boost confidence too. Mike Lord, CEO of Stiltz Homelifts says, “We know our home lifts change lives, it will make an immediate difference to the way you live.”
We can’t turn back the hands of time, but we can glean valuable insights from the younger generation. And let’s face it, we’re never too old to learn new tricks!