Mind, body and spirit

What do you think of when you hear the words “mind, body and spirit”?

I was doing some research recently about what that phrase means to other people and discovered this fitting quote: “You hear with your ears but you listen with your mind. You look with your eyes but you see from the heart”.

Mind, body and spirit are three elements which define who you are. Taking control of your physical as well as spiritual self can improve your overall happiness and that’s part of the philosophy behind Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood.

Mind
Having a strong mind allows you to think logically and cope with any stress that might come your way. Not everyone has the ability to control their emotions; however the good news is that you can develop this skill.

People assume retirement is a stress-free zone. That is true to some extent, but a person will go through many experiences in this period and a healthy mind will help you take stock and feel empowered and more resilient to challenges.

A study has shown that people generally focus on the negative aspects in their life, even during good times, and forget about the positives. Retirement offers the opportunity to focus on yourself and the things that really matter to you.

Body
Getting your body in shape doesn’t have to be difficult, painful or boring. A great place to start is with healthy eating. Take up a cooking class and learn the different food groups and ways to prepare simple and nutritious meals. You might also consider going for a walk; either on your own for some solace, or with a partner, friend or family member.

Spirit
Being spiritual does not necessarily mean believing in a higher power. Spirituality has different meanings for different people. What I consider spiritual is positive thinking and attitude.

Individuals might think that retirement is boring, but nothing could be further from the truth. It’s a remarkable time in life that is truly what you make it. Being positive and approaching this third age with open arms and an open mind will expose you to many wonderful adventures and experiences.

Elements @ Springwood provides a range of facilities to help you take full advantage of your retirement years. To find out more, visit www.elementsliving.com.au.

The importance of you

People form relationships with a number of different people throughout life – friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues – but one of the most important partnerships is with yourself.

Retirement can bring big changes for many people. We leave full-time work behind, our kids grow up and become parents themselves and things start to slow down. It’s only natural that this experience can be quite daunting.

Getting older is viewed in a negative light so often in society and retirement is seen as “the beginning of the end”. Some might wonder whether life has passed them by, not realising that a wonderful chapter in life is actually just beginning.

I call this period our ‘third age’ and it’s the perfect time to begin a path of self discovery, learning and exploring the things that make you happy.

Understanding that retirement is another step in your journey can help you let go of the worries and focus on what is important. The relationship that you build with yourself will enhance how you live the glory years of your life!

As I mentioned in my previous blog, focusing on yourself spiritually, physically and mentally will help you embrace this new stage and recognise how wonderful it is.

Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood is a community where residents feel comfortable to establish and maintain positive relationships with their neighbours, but more importantly, with themselves.

Our first group of residents will move into their new homes early next year. To see what makes Elements @ Springwood unique, visit www.elementsliving.com.au for more information.

Fitness through the ages

As we age it’s more important than ever to stay in shape, both mentally and physically. But let’s face it, it can become harder and harder to stay active as we get older.

Out of nowhere, your knee acts up. You get up out of your chair and you suddenly realise you’re really stiff. You play with your grandchildren and feel tired in half the time. Sound familiar?

There are numerous benefits from exercise, including reducing chronic disease like cancer and preventing osteoporosis and even depression. Here are some quick tips on how you can stay in S.H.A.P.E. as you age:

Start slowly. If it’s been a while since you last exercised, don’t feel like you have to go all out all at once. Start out with a short walk, and work your way up to a longer one. Even if you do two, 10-minute bouts of exercise during the day, you’re off to a great start. Work your way up to 30-60 minutes of activity every day.

Have a plan. Try to incorporate various forms of exercise that will build strength and improve flexibility, balance and cardio endurance. Walking, biking, jogging, yoga, tai chi and stretching all provide good benefits. It’s also important to vary your routine so that your body doesn’t become accustomed to one type of exercise.

Aim for the a.m.! Not only does exercising in the morning allow you to “get it over with” but it also keeps your energy high during the day. Morning exercise is also the best way to avoid the hotter afternoon temperatures. I find that an early morning walk helps clear my mind and is the most peaceful moment of my day.

Partner up. Exercise will seem like more fun when you have someone doing it with you. Having a walking or yoga buddy also will provide you with accountability and keep you motivated. So lace up those shoes…you don’t want to let your workout partner down!

Eat right. You’ll experience added benefits by incorporating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, lean meat and whole grains into your diet. Plus, you won’t want to ruin all that hard work, do you?

Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood will help our residents stay in SHAPE by offering a range of social and recreational facilities. Our wellness retreat includes a gymnasium, yoga and massage room and a tai chi deck overlooking a pristine koala habitat.

Visit us at www.elementsliving.com.au or 224 Dennis Road, Springwood - we'd love to see you!

What is successful ageing?

Retirement marks the time in life when you really start living. It’s the time when you can do the things you enjoy and devote more time to self discovery.

Successful retirement means different things to different people, but it definitely does not mean the end of the road.

When people think of retirement the first thing that comes to mind is ‘financial comfort’. Financial comfort without a doubt plays a major role in everyone’s retirement plan however it is not the only contributing factor.

Retirement is a major step that everyone eventually takes. For it to be successful you need to think positively about social relationships and the fact that your life is undergoing major transition.

One of the key factors that contributes to a successful retirement is healthy ageing. When you think about it, you can be financially stable but you also need your health and happiness to enjoy it.
Adopting an optimistic attitude about life is what will get you through everyday obstacles and will leave you stress free.

Individuals who are thriving in social relationships and nurturing their family relationships are also likely to achieve successful ageing. Maintaining a social relationship through craft classes and sporting clubs will keep you in high spirits as well as encourage you to get out there and enjoy your life. Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood adopts this philosophy and will offer a range of social and recreational facilities for our residents.

If we look at it as an entire picture, successful retirement comes down to a balanced life plan. To sum it up, financial stability is important, however so is your health, your happiness and your social relationships.

Elements @ Springwood is a unique community that responds to a critical gap in the retirement living market. To find out how, visit www.elementsliving.com.au or come and visit us at 224 Dennis Road, Springwood.