We often focus on others during Valentine’s Day, showing outward love and affection to our spouse, children, and friends. But do you focus on yourself at this time? Do you treat yourself with the same importance, especially now with our aging bodies. Join me in learning how to love ourselves during the aging process.

Loving ourselves as we age is not about spending a lot of money to try to reverse the process. It’s about embracing where we are right now. It’s about taking care of your mind, body, spirit, and emotions…not just our looks.

I’m not saying that we have to stop doing things that make us feel better like dying our hair or getting that surgery. Just don’t try to fool yourself. Do it if it makes you feel better but don’t think you’ve found the fountain of youth. You are still aging and let’s make sure that you embrace who you are as you age.

I will be the first to admit that I started dying my hair again and I love it. I spent three years with gray hair and it was so hard. I see hair as an accessory and like to change it up through color or style. But for three years, I was gray, yes I dabbled in those fun colors of pink, blue, purple, and even maroon. But it just didn’t hold my interest. So I’m blonde again and I love it.

How to Embrace Aging

Tend your body. Set realistic goals for getting into or staying in shape. Visit your doctor often. Eat better. Avoid sitting for extended periods of time. Do some concentrated movement such as walking or yoga for at least 15 minutes per day. Practice Meatless Mondays.

Improve your mind. Read. And then read some more. Try new things. Learn new hobbies, read new genres, read different opinions, and stay on top of the news but know the difference between news and rhetoric. Stay clear of the rhetoric. Be creative.

Connect to Spirit. Whether for you that’s a specific organized religion or connecting to the natural or spiritual world, do what works for you. Meditate. Practice gratitude. Smile. Be kind. Volunteer.

Manage your emotions. Aging can be an emotional experience. especially for women, who may be navigating through the menopause emotional roller coaster. Talk to your doctor. Seek out mental health care. Don’t feel ashamed to need mental healthcare. Stay in touch with friends and family. Get a pet if you’re able.

The beauty of the above list is that no one item only affects one thing. Reading or exercising have carryover benefits that affect your emotions, too. Yoga is not only good for your body, but your spirit, and your mental health/emotions. Everything is connected.