Some of us may remember a forward that was going around some time ago-

You know you are growing old when-

1.6:00 am is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
2. You hear your favorite song in an elevator.
3. You watch the Weather Channel.
4. Your friends marry and divorce instead of “hook up” and “break up.”

5. You are the one calling the police because those %&@# kids next door won’t turn down the stereo.
6. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.
7. You take naps.
8. Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.
9. You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests.
10. 90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.
11. You drink at home to save money before going to a bar.
12. When you find out your friend is pregnant you congratulate them instead of asking “Oh shit what the hell!”

Growing older when young is just great. Have you seen the way children tend to count their years and months? ‘I am 7 years and 2 months old’. They are just waiting to get older. However, for some of us, the approaching 30’s is something we look at in dread and the 40’s or 50’s are something we don’t want to even think about. I for one personally think that as I age, life becomes better. Yes, I definitely would have loved it, if I could have sprung to my feet from my cross-legged posture on the floor, like a lithe panther or even a spry jackrabbit would do, but I suppose age takes its toll on all of us, in one way or another.

Science, today, is working harder to increase the life expectancy of people- it has gone up by about 30 years in the 20^th century and the number of people living over 100 years is going up each year. Medicine has advanced a lot and is the primary reason for this longevity but it also has to do with people becoming aware of what will help them live healthier and longer lives. People who are living longer aren’t in the know-how of some secret elixir. Their simple everyday habits do the trick and decide if they are going to have osteoporosis or heart disease as they age.

So what are some of the signs in our lives that tell us if we are going to age gracefully and get to see our great grandchildren:

· You have a socially active life. You make it a point to keep in touch with friends who you trust and with whom you can have a heart- to heart. Feeling alienated and lonesome can lead to depression and stress and shortens life spans. Therefore, it is necessary for all of us to have a few friends who we can lean on and who we can talk to without having to weigh every word, and from whom we can hear the truth about ourselves.

· You keep learning new things. Never let the brain idle.
"An idle mind is the devil's workshop."
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

· Your friends have healthy habits. Recent research has shown that if we are surrounded by friends and colleagues who are obese, the chances are that we too will go the same way. The idea is not to ditch a friend who is overweight, but help her to lose the flab and stay fit ourselves. What better way to bond with someone than in sweats on a treadmill? What is one to do about an overweight boss… any suggestions?

· You eat brightly coloured food. Blueberries, pomegranates, avocadoes, red and yellow pepper,blackberries, beetroot, broccoli…are high in antioxidants and polyphenols. These foods can stave off many a disease and help improve memory.

· You drink red wine and green tea but skip the colas totally. A standard can of cola has 8 teaspoons of sugar. Besides dental problems and obesity, colas can elevate your insulin levels, drive up your BP and increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Stick to tea, which is rich with substances that protect your heart. Avoid the milk if possible.

· You exercise regularly. You walk as much as possible or cycle. You have an exercise routine, which helps keep you feeling fit and healthy. It could include jogging, swimming, yoga, aerobics, strength training…whatever suits you. You keep yourself active. You mop, clean, cook, and garden. You give the washing machine a break occasionally and give your clothes the special rub a dub hand treatment. You iron instead of relying on the launderers. You clean your loos and make your beds. Yeah, yeah…sounds like you are a new age Cinderella…but remember household activity if done on a regular basis can cut down on the flab and add years to your life. It can also save you some money.

· You are a good stress manager. You work normal hours, you listen to music, spend time with the family, go on vacations, read, chat with friends. Laugh often and loud. Remember: You don't stop laughing because you grow old;You grow old because you stop laughing.-- Benjamin Franklin

· Your breakfast is the heaviest meal of the day and your dinner the lightest. You avoid red meat and canned food. You eat oily fish like mackerel, salmon, tuna and sardines. You have soy, red kidney beans, seeds, nuts, brown bread, red rice and lentils in your diet.

· You sleep well and get the required amount of sleep that you need to function, feeling fit and bright through the day.

The greatest discovery of my generation is that
the human being can alter his life by altering
his attitudes of mind.
-- William James