It’s too easy to believe that our chronological age defines

what we are, who we are and how we should behave.

Not only is it too easy, it’s also self-defeating in that we

circumscribe and define our expectations by thinking

ourselves old.

The way we think influences the way we feel, and thinking ourselves old saps our energy and vitality and makes us feel old. So, what to do? In short, we need to think young, we need to focus on the positives to stay as young, vital and energetic as we can.

We need to trade in old thinking for new. No more talk of ‘senior moments’ or ‘growing old gracefully’. Even the way we express our behaviours reinforces our negative thinking. The key to opening up our lives centres on the way we think and our lifestyle choices.

Try to avoid spending too much time with people who simply abandon themselves to old age, it can be ageing! We tend to learn and absorb ideas about ageing from friends and family, and if they have ‘old’ thinking, it can have an unhealthy impact. Far better for us to choose friends who think positively, who are productive, who are future orientated, who have goals. These are positive role models because these are people who can help us change our lives, help improve it. And remember, one of the symptomatic traps of old age is a belief that change is scary, coupled with a reluctance to accept new ideas.

The opposite is of course true. Change requires energy, momentum and a vision of the future. It keeps us healthy, inspired and youthful. So make sure you choose your friends carefully and see the world through adventurous, innocent eyes.