Growing Lifestyle

The other day a friend came over to visit with her 6-month-old baby boy (that’s him above, except now he’s bigger). He slept a lot of the time he was here, but when he woke up, he got right down to the task of being extremely active. With a little adult assistance, he did non-stop sit-ups, squats, and even planks as we held him high in the air. Of course, being a baby, he did all of this with a smile on his face, and countless squeals of delight (babies are awesome)!

That same day was my dog’s birthday (that’s her above, too – isn’t she cute?). She turned 10 years old. They tell me she is officially a senior citizen now; 65-70 in “dog years.” But come to my house and watch how she wiggles when she’s excited, barks when she’s hungry, and chases & chews on toys when she’s feeling playful – you’d never know she’s an old lady. Heidi still has that vim and vigor that we all hope to be blessed with.

I’m reading a book that my doctor recommended: Younger Next Year, by Chris Crowley and Harry Lodge. It talks about aging and how what we think of as aging in America isn’t really aging at all. The sluggishness, the aches and pains, and the gradual onset of problems like high cholesterol are symptoms of an un-natural lifestyle, not age. Our bodies aren’t designed to sit in front of a computer or relax in front of a TV, or even drive a car for long periods of time. Even with our plentiful food and shelter, our bodies interpret our inactivity as a sign that times are bad, and we gradually decay. The lifestyle has become so commonplace that we’ve begun to associate the downhill progression with age – but the only thing truly caused by the passage of time is saggy skin and grey hair! If we change our behavior and create an active lifestyle for ourselves, our bodies follow suit by generating dense bones, strong muscles, pain-free movement, and a general optimism in our mood.

Since I started reading this book, I’ve been looking at my life with a new perspective. I noticed the active baby, and wondered why I don’t allow myself to wiggle and bounce when I’m feeling peppy. I also began to wonder if perhaps my dog is still full of life because she spends lots of time outside each day, chasing squirrels and sniffing around for food and critters. Since she still has a connection to nature, her body continues to replenish itself and stay strong. I’ve recently been doing some physical therapy for intermittent and chronic back pain. Doing the exercises each day brings about a deep feeling of satisfaction, and I am easily observing the changes it is creating. It’s making me want to be playful again! There are numerous examples out there, and I’m noticing them every day.

All of this highlights my appreciation for children as examples of how to live our lives as adults. Kids are still connected to their natural state of growth. They run around and move their bodies every single day. They play games and do active things constantly – often until we adults pull them away and tell them they have to stop. They squirm in their chairs, and they get up from their seats at dinner. Their bodies are growing at a rapid pace, and physical movement is a direct partner in this process!

Once again, I say let’s look to children for inspiration! When we behave youthfully, our bodies respond by being youthful. These are amazing machines we each possess. Let’s act like kids. Let’s play games, let’s ride our bikes, and let’s head outside in the cold if the sun is shining! Not only is it fun, but it does the world a lot of good.

How do you live your life youthfully? Do you look to kids for inspiration too? Please comment!