You’re only as young (or old) as you feel

A few days ago, my friend @empact_wellness, who recently turned 50, posted on her story:“I’m at that age where older people see me as young, and younger people see me as old.”

This really resonated with me.

I’m in my early 50s and have lived an active lifestyle for most of my life. When I’m out on the trail or in my practice and someone asks my age, I’m often told, “Oh! I thought you were younger.” I’ll take it.

It might be good genes, and sunscreen — but honestly, most of it comes down to taking care of myself.

Sleep: The Real Fountain of Youth

Sleep is probably the biggest factor. I’ve had bouts of insomnia since I was a teenager. Medication helped for a while, but eventually I cut that out in favor of better sleep hygiene.

My routine now includes going to my room early and doing something calming, like reading or listening to a podcast or audiobook. My lights are even on a timer — when they go off, it’s my cue to shut down and sleep.

Does this mean I never have insomnia? Absolutely not. It just means it happens less often, and when it does, I know how to handle it (usually by not panicking and reminding myself I will, in fact, survive).

Stress & Sweat

Stress plays a huge role in how young we look and feel — although managing it is much easier said than done. Exercise has always been my go-to stress relief.

I started practicing yoga and going to the gym when I was 17. For those of us who remember VHS tapes and local daytime TV, I used to tape Yoga with Joy on Rogers TV because it aired while I was at school. I’d come home, head to the basement, and practice along with her.

Picture this: brown carpet, a towel underneath me, and pure JOY.

At the time, Joy (yes, that was her name) seemed OLD to me. She looked like a hippie, wore a full-length leotard, and had what I now recognize as a totally normal belly. This was very different from the Jane Fonda workout record my mom and I did in the living room. Jane Fonda and my mom were both petite and fairly flat — definitely not the body I was growing into.

But the gym and movement made me feel strong — and they still do.

Why Did Everyone Look So Old Back Then?

Our grandparents’ generation always looked old, which has never quite made sense to me.

When I look at photos of my grandparents at my current age, both grandmothers had full white hair and short pin curls, and my grandfathers were white-haired or bald and very much looked like seniors.

They also lived what I think of as an “older life.” They raised their children, then settled into a simple retirement — playing cards, social gatherings, and family dinners. My parents’ generation is much the same.

The “Doing Generation”

So are my friends and I appearing younger to older people because we’re the doing generation? We hike, ski, exercise, socialize, work, shuttle kids around — and, and, and…

I’m not entirely sure how younger people see us, although I do have some wonderful kiddos in my practice who think I’m 30. I see no reason to correct them.

Are we just taking better care of ourselves? Is it genetics playing tricks on everyone? Or is it a bit of both?

I’m not complaining. I love looking and feeling younger than my birth certificate says.

Where do you think you fit in?