This post is in answer to DJan's recent post about coping mechanisms for aging. I started to respond in her comment section and then realized that my response was going to be too long. So I've put it here. The first 2 paragraphs are the comment that I did leave.
"Great post, DJan. I think your *coping mechanisms* for aging are very good... and they stem from a very healthy psychological viewpoint. I believe that a lot depends on our attitude and I try to keep mine positive with a dose of gratitude. Having lost both my parents, sister, and brother over the years, I miss them terribly, but grateful that I've been given this time for whatever reason (and that I still have DH and my children).
I started to elaborate on this here, but it got too long. So I will share my own coping mechanisms on my next blog. Thanks again, friend, for sharing yours."
Continuing...
As you know, I don't take any medications and at 71, that's a pretty good thing. I do have several ailments; BC, migraines, IC, sensitivity to several foods and drugs, etc. - but these are all manageable without meds. I take Tylenol on occasion if need-be, sleep 8 hours a night, take a nap when I feel tired, try to eat healthy, and exercise at least twice a week (walking and aerobic/yoga) - not near the exercise you do, DJan - and it could be more, but so far this is what works for me.
I find that keeping the house in order with 3 cats, caring for the outside feral cat community, helping with the grandkids, cooking, pottery, writing, reading, crochet, knitting, meeting with friends for coffee/tea, and sharing time with DH and our grown kids is enough to keep my life full and happy. We don't travel a lot, but do spend some time in the Hill Country with our daughter and in New Orleans with family, but travel is not high on our agenda these days... enjoying our day to day activities is.
Blogging with online friends and emailing and texting with family members does add joy to my day. It's a simple thing that technology has brought. And as much as there are down sides to iPhones, I get quite a bit of enjoyment from mine. Texting with children and grandkids brings us closer on a day to day basis. Keeping dates and lists of everything on hand from doctor visits to grocery lists makes life easier and exchanging pics on the spur of the moment is fun. I have to admit that I don't use the iPhone for talking much... oh, maybe to confirm appointments or let someone know that I'm running late. But then, I was never one to spend much time talking (maybe that's why writing is more my style).
And I'm very much against texting while driving and talking on your phone in public places - I find listening to another's loud private conversations very annoying! My phone is put on vibrate whenever we are out to eat, at the doctor's, etc. Now, if I look at the caller's ID and feel that I must take the call, I will go outside to do so. And besides, there are buttons you can push that will send the message that says you can't talk now. How easy is that?
If I do ever find myself *down*... usually doing something for somebody else will bring me back up. It needn't be anything too extravagant... just baking a batch of cookies for them or emailing a "how are you today?" works. (And of course chocolate helps!! - very dark chocolate in my case!!)
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BTW, for those who know how last week went (last post here)...
Tux is doing better this morning. He is eating again, no throwing up, and is acting like his old self. (Actually he wasn't acting like he was in any discomfort before, but he was spending all of his time on my lap... looking worried.) Don't know how long this will continue, but we are so grateful for this reprieve.
I'm so glad he's feeling better, Rian.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, Deb. I tell myself not to worry... that it doesn't help, but that little nagging fear that it won't be alright crops up once in a while.
DeleteTux has been in my thoughts and prayers, I'm glad to read he's holding his own right now.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that quote at the beginning of your post. I need to print that out and post it up, both at home and at work.
You practice good self-care. That's something else I could do better at, turning to food for comfort as I do, too often. Better to go for a walk or go clean something. :-)
Thanks, Kim. He is doing fine... for the moment. I like that quote too and believe it!
DeleteI think you nailed it - keeping active, both mentally and physically is important, and as you said when if there are times of feeling down helping others is a sure-fire way of improving one's mood.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that Tux is feeling better.
Thanks, Eileen. Each of us may be a bit different, but knowing what works for others may be helpful (or not).
DeleteI like that beginning quote as well! So glad to hear Tux is doing better. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteThank, Jenn. Today is Monday and he is still eating and acting OK... so hopefully this will continue.
DeleteThat's wonderful news about Tux. I sure wish they could tell us what's going on, but we get messages from them in any event. And thanks for the longer response here, Rian. One thing I realized I forgot to mention is what a huge difference a pillow between my knees makes for sleeping! It's helped me take the pain off my hips for whatever reason, an it's a wonderful gift. I might write another post about coping mechanisms, since it sure has hit a nerve for lots of people. Give Tux a special little pet just for me, okay? :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan, I've used that pillow between the knees also. It does help... although I change positions so much that it never stays. But that's OK, as every little bit helps. And I do think you should write another post about coping as someone's else's mechanism just might be something another needs to try.
DeleteGood news about Tux, and maybe he'll surprise everyone and pull through with no problems for quite awhile. Cats are good at surprising us in many good ways.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your post on "coping with aging". I guess I'm in that "aging" category but have too much to do to worry about it right now. Sounds like you do too. Plus, we both have family and friends to interact with, and pets. Staying in touch with people even if it is only through blogging, writing, or the phone, really does make a difference in our lives for the better.
I am hoping that perhaps Tux's condition has been going on for a long time and his recent episode only brought it to our attention... and that it will continue to go along (symptom free) for an even longer time. Probably a bit optimistic, but I'll take it.
Deletei've just caught up, so glad that your tux is doing better, it's hard knowing what to do for them sometimes.
ReplyDeletei took all mine off dry food
thanx for sharing
Some of our cats have had trouble with dry food over the years. Our Vet prefers wet. We give a little of both. Julie likes a little dry. Tux prefers wet... and Ghost eats only RxKD.
DeleteGlad Tux is better! My life stays busy with taking care of my Mom, 1 cat and a messy house. Two Grands, church activities and my passion for reading. Not a dull or boring life at all!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. My mom lived with us for 15 years. She was 94 when she passed in 2008. It does keep you busy... along with everything else. Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in her last few years... which explained a lot. But it's good for life to be busy (as long as you have a little time for yourself).
DeleteI sure hope Tux keeps getting better. Thank you for finishing you comment here. I enjoyed reading what you wrote. Coping with aging...I am trying hard to slow down the aging process. At 74, gosh, seems like every day I look in the mirror, I can see change. Working outside and caring for animals helps me a lot. I had an aunt who used to say, "when my time comes, I want to fall in the harness". I feel the same. Hope I'm busy working.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I look in the mirror and wonder sometimes who that person is (mainly because I don't see my mother or anyone I recognize). Some family say they see my dad in me, but I don't. (Family came from England. Maybe there's some distant relative that I don't know?)
DeleteBut I agree with you that Nature is a great comfort... caring for animals and doing what you can (no matter how little it may seem) helps.
You have used all your options by keeping busy physically, mentally and socially. If everyone did this the pharmaceuticals would be out of business. Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteGreat news about Tux and hope he continues to improve. They can worry us so.
I realize that down the road it may be necessary to take some meds, but I intend to stay away as long as possible. I do understand and appreciate the science of medicine, but find too many use it as 'the only way' (Example: I feel bad, take a pill! - Can't sleep, take a pill!)... but to me it's also a dangerous road.
DeleteLike you I don't take any meds and am also 71, I do sometimes need something for my digestion but otherwise keep clear of them all. I've see what they can do through Tom who has to take them for very clear reasons and the side effects can be worse than the cure.
ReplyDeleteGetting old isn't much fun and I didn't realise that it would be so but we both try to keep positive and even when my hands are tetchy I still keep sewing and knitting.
We changed doctors recently and we were told that we needed a health check. No thankyou we said and the Doctor was very upset with us. We will come to you when we feel ill we said and not before. He didn't understand our point of view.
Great post, thankyou
Briony
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Thanks, Briony. We do see our doctors once a year, but so far have been able to stay away from most meds. DH takes some for his pre-diabetes and cholesterol, but they give him no side effects. I tend to get a reaction to most meds, so avoid them all. My doctor knows this.
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