Seniors: Do Hard Things

By Shlomo Maital

      Following up on my previous blog, about Dan Buettner’s documentary on Blue Zones, where seniors live to 100 and more, in good health and fully active —  One thing in common, among Blue Zones in Costa Rica, Loma Linda CA, and Okinawa —  these centenarians do hard things. Like the cowboy centenarian in Costa Rica, herding cattle on horseback.  Or gardening, walking, running, preparing food, caring for others…

      So, we live in a friendly community, where, for instance, I am always offered a seat on the train or bus.  Even against my will.  This is nice.  But as a senior, it is important to resist the inexorable scheme of modern life to make things easy.  And to permanently reside in my incredible Danish leather armchair, which puts me to sleep. 

       Try to do hard things daily.  Long walk.  Bit of heavy lifting.  Just as much for mental exercise as physical – not to grow soft in the head.  Not to succumb to pampering an older body, because that is a slippery slope.  I’ve even returned to jogging — not far.

        Jewish people are about to observe the New Year on Friday,  5784.  It is a time when we make resolutions for the coming year.  Mine is to do one hard thing daily.  Just to keep in practice. 

        Want to try it?