Don’t worry about the injuries if they’re not life-threatening!
My ‘kids’ are now 18 and 20, I was an older mum, being 35 when I had my first child. I’m hoping if one or both of my offspring eventually have their own children, I’ll be a real hands-on, fun and fit grandparent, therefore, I want to live to be a healthy, happy centenarian and here’s how I’m going to achieve it!
Recently, I went from being a vegetarian to becoming one of those ‘fussy’ vegans. Although this kind of diet takes a bit of research in order to make sure I stay well, healthy and happy, I’ve found it to be easier than I initially thought it would be. In the last few months I’ve already noticed an improvement in my skin, feeling of well-being and energy, not to mention the lack of acid reflux which for some people can be caused by dairy consumption.
Photo by Jonas Kakaroto on Unsplash
As well as Tai Chi three times a week, I also participate in yoga workshops and have begun taking Lindy Hop lessons once a week, which I hope will enable me to enjoy some fun social dancing. The Swing Jazz scene is pretty buzzing in Newcastle/Gateshead right now and I hope it is in the rest of the country – it’s so much fun as well as being a great form of ‘accidental’ exercise.
Photo by Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash
Despite the fact I can be introverted, I have an interest in learning new stuff and love to meet new people. My social life includes long-standing, close friendships as well as new acquaintances some of whom are becoming friends. So far, I’ve learned to drum in a Samba rhythm band, I’m learning Lindy Hop. I go to see quite a lot of live music around the city. I also intend on going back hill-walking with a hiking group very soon!
Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash
I love language, I love writing, I love reading. At school I was rubbish at learning foreign languages, for the most part because I was a bit scared of our French teacher, but since discovering ‘Duo Lingo’ and having met a lovely Italian teacher at a vegan festival recently, I’m discovering that I do have an aptitude for learning a new language after all!
I’m currently enjoying my new-found love of mucking about on a phone app at odd times of the day and night learning the beautiful language of Italiano (very, very, slowly or lentamente to be oh so Roman about it!) If learning a new language is not your forte, you only have to Google ‘Brain Exercises’ to discover a myriad of things one can do to keep the brain ticking over nicely.
Photo by Hope House Press - Leather Diary Studio on Unsplash
Obviously, there are no guarantees that I will live to be a hundred years old, but if I keep on doing what’s necessary to go into older age as fighting fit and happy as I can possibly be, then it really doesn’t matter how old I get to, so long as I keep finding the motivation to live life to the full.
