Life gets challenging. There used to be a nice ebb & flow of difficulties but in these post-COVID times, it seems pretty consistent. If there’s ever been a time to start preserving your youth, now is it!
Let me ask you a question: What do you do that keeps you young?
If it doesn’t come to you right away, then this article is for you. And so is Meredith Amann.
Meredith works like a time capsule. Her work takes you back to where things started. Where you first remember being disappointed, in someone else or even yourself. Although difficult, she helps unravel the perfect mess that you’ve recently found yourself in. As a health coach, Meredith is a dot-connector that helps you realize the affect everyday as well as traumatic life stressors have on your physical and mental health.
So it’s no surprise that Meredith would choose this topic to write about. Let’s be honest, who isn’t a little jealous of their innocent, unassuming child or adolescent whose biggest concern right now is what to eat for lunch?
Enjoy this article and dare I say, have a little fun with it!
The Secret to Staying Young
Scientists May Have Found the Secret to Staying Young
I was at the pool last weekend, getting ready to pack up and head home when a friend I hadn’t seen in a little while walked in and sat down near me (but not too close!).
We exchanged normal introductory pool chat, mostly about the temperature of the water and weather. She mentioned that she was so excited to swim and she’d been wearing her bathing suit all day.
Conversation ensued:
“What did you do today?” I asked.
“My cousins came over for lunch and popsicles in the back yard and I set the sprinkler up for us to run through.”
“That sounds lovely! Did they enjoy the sprinkler?”
“It took a bit of convincing to get them to do it, they thought they were too old”
“How old are they?”
“They’re my age”
My heart swells at the thought of a group of women in their 70’s running through the sprinkler and eating popsicles.
Growing up doesn’t mean losing your fun
A few summers back, at the same pool, I turned to a friend and asked “when was the last time you went off the diving board?”
It had been over a decade for us both. Maybe longer. We stood up, walked over to the deep end, and jumped. It was exhilarating!
We pledged to jump off the board at least once every summer.
The secret to staying young?
Eat popsicles, run through the sprinkler, jump off the board.
When my niece was six we went to a playground near my house. We parked the car and walked over to the jungle gym. It was cold and we were the only people there. My niece stopped and began looking around.
“What are you looking for?”
“A bench.”
“Why do you need a bench?”
“For you. To sit on”
“Oh, thank you, but that’s ok, I don’t need a bench. I’m going to play with you”
The Secret To Staying Young?
Don’t sit on the bench, go play!
It was a clear November evening a few years back, I went to dinner with a girlfriend and as we were leaving the restaurant she looked up at the sky and said “Look, a full moon!”
We exchanged a glance and somehow we both knew exactly what was to happen next.
We both started howling at the moon.
There was a family walking towards us on the sidewalk and they looked a little startled.
The secret to staying young?
Howl at the moon (aka be a little weird)
Last Thursday I led my weekly relaxation class, Chill the __ Out and I began with an anecdote about my Aunt Sarah. Sarah is an artist, one of the best cooks I know, and just an overall badass.
Years back she made a bumper sticker to sell at the gift shop at Kripalu.
It read ‘Be Where You Are”.
It sold out in weeks.
Be Where You Are was the theme of my total relaxation class, Chill the ___ Out, last week. My dear friend Jaci is learning Calligraphy and she made this BEE-AUTIFUL work of art yesterday morning.
The secret to staying young?
Learn new things. (Bonus points if they involve using your hands)
I’ve heard a fair share of friends and clients tell me they don’t have hobbies. Perhaps they used to but not so much anymore. Some struggle to come up with an answer to ‘what do you like to do in your free time?’. Women especially aren’t used to having ‘free time’.
It’s important to do things you enjoy.
We weren’t put on this planet to pay bills, fold laundry, grocery shop, run meetings, and answer emails all day.
It’s important to have fun.
I’m going to double down on this one – it is essential that we have fun! And it’s how we stay young.
If you’ve lost touch with your passion and the things that bring you joy and if you would like support in reuniting with the you that runs through sprinklers and howls at the moon – or whatever your version of fun and goofy is – reach out and we can chat.
About the author:
Meredith Amann is a certified Ashtanga and Yoga Tune Up® and Health Coach. Meredith works with yogis and movers of all ages, from 3 year olds in her PK classes, high school athletes, as well as adults and seniors. Off the mat Meredith can often be found on the tennis court – as an athlete she is passionate about improving performance, enhancing mobility, preventing injuries and quieting the monkey mind. Meredith has appointments available through Anchor under Yoga Therapy and Health Coach.
You can also learn more about Meredith at yogawhileyouwork.com or here.