Signs You Are Getting Older: Insights from a Senior
When you start to believe that there are no other options but to act like an 'old person,' something is changing. There are subtle (and not so subtle) signs that indicate you're getting older. In this article, we explore some of these signs and insights from someone who is in their 70s.
Uncomfortable Financial Pressures
One of the earliest signs of getting older is when your bills start coming more often than you can manage. In the last few months, my bills have been arriving more frequently than I can keep up with. It's a clear sign that time is passing and responsibilities are increasing, whether you like it or not.
Physical Challenges
Walking down a flight of stairs feels like ascending the Matterhorn, and taking stairs down is like navigating a steep, icy trail. Bend over to pick something up, and the process is agonizing and often results in dropped items. These physical barriers are indications that your body is aging and moving slower than it used to.
Changes in Dressing and Shopping Habits
When you find yourself buying light blue jeans, you know you're getting older. Dark blue jeans are for those who are younger, persevering through their teenage years. Shopping becomes a more deliberate process as well. Finding the right plaid flannel shirt for your light blue jeans can take hours. You also seem to start needing more pockets on your shirts and are proud of the multiple pill boxes you carry.
Health and Medication
Health changes can be significant signs of aging. Back spasms that occur every 4 to 6 months and can last for one to three weeks, can be treated with heat, hydrotherapy, massage, and a portable TENS unit. However, you might have to deal with these spasms without an effective solution until you are diagnosed and provided with necessary muscle relaxants.
Multitasking and Sleep Patterns
Managing your household can become a full-time job, leaving you up at 5 AM, wandering around the house, making adjustments. Five hours of sleep is enough for you now, which is significantly less than many younger people. The ability to multitask and work on multiple chores or projects becomes more challenging as you age.
Doctor's Visits and Perception of Time
A doctor's visit, what should be a routine check-up, can be a revelation about your age perception. When you start to have prolonged health issues that last for decades, and the doctor looks shocked, it's a sign that your body is aging. Twenty years of such spasms without a solution reflect a significant amount of time that you have spent dealing with these issues.
The perception of time also changes. When you've been dealing with certain health issues for decades, and your doctor is likely a teenager, it makes you realize that time moves differently for everyone. Your sense of time has changed, and your doctor's perspective is different, but age-related health issues and changes are a universal experience.
Conclusion
Getting older is a natural process, and it comes with its own set of challenges and changes. Recognizing these signs early can help you manage the physical and emotional transitions more effectively. Whether you're in your 70s or just starting to notice some of these changes, it's essential to maintain a positive outlook and seek support when needed.