Ageing is a natural process, even if turning 60 and beyond may feel daunting for some. The main challenge with ageing is our lack of preparedness for this stage of life. Despite growing up around older people, we often find ourselves caught off-guard when we experience this stage ourselves.
Oftentimes, people who are of “old age” grapple with regrets over their lost youth, wondering how life passed by so quickly and where all the time has gone. They may also fear the future, anticipating impending limitations and the prospect of mortality.
This lack of preparation and acceptance leads to a sense of unrest, causing many to spend their later years in anxiety and depression while facing the physical limitations that come with ageing. This leads to a less pleasant experience of growing older, impacting the “quality” of ageing.
The World Health Organization defines active ageing as the ability of older adults to lead a life where opportunities for health, participation and security are optimised. The global authority is actively working to facilitate this through various policies and programmes.
While improving one’s external environment – such as social support and addressing social issues related to growing older – is crucial, there must also be focus on the inner world of the ageing individual. It is essential for everyone to learn to cultivate a healthy attitude towards ageing.
In Dharmic traditions, life is said to be divided into different phases, each with its own Dharma. Dharma refers to the natural laws and duties of life. Living in alignment and harmony with this Dharma reduces resistance, allowing us to enter a state of flow and create a positive and pleasurable experience.
The Dharma of old age is a phase for seeking wisdom. This demands values such as turning inward, embracing acceptance, living in the moment, and practising generosity.
Practices that cultivate these values can help develop mindful gratitude. Although mindfulness in older adults can be challenging to instil, it has proven to have health benefits, including reducing inner inflammation that contributes to accelerated ageing and age-related diseases.
Indeed, gratitude enhances happiness, promotes social interaction, and even lowers cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Combined with mindfulness, it can help reinforce autonomy over our wellbeing and improve our quality of life.
From this place of independence, we can then find purpose by sharing back with society, creating a sense of inclusivity and community. This is the true essence of active ageing.
Reaching old age should be viewed as a privilege, even though it comes with its challenges. Financial security alone is not enough to navigate this stage; developing an attitude of mindful gratitude is equally important, and the earlier we start, the better.
When our inner world is prepared, we can then fully embrace the external support available to us.
This article was written by Dr Mugilarasi Arasarethinam, a hub leader of the Active Ageing Impact Lab at Taylor’s University.