Kristen Henderlong

I turned 30 last weekend.  I have heard stories of people feeling totally undone by this number.  Aging is hard.  Letting go is hard.  Moving on is hard.

I honestly do not feel very affected by it at this point.  I believe it’s more about your perception than anything.  I mean yes- aging is inevitable- but ultimately you are in charge of how you feel on a day to day basis.  

I am a firm believer in striving to stay young at heart AND physically healthy so I can feel young in my body as well.  It’s easier said than done, though.

Here are some tips off of the top of my head to steer you in the right direction:

Number 1:

Just sit down LESS.  Be intentional about your movement.  I am not talking about working out.  I am talking about standing, walking, cleaning, even fidgeting.  There is a time and a place for rest, but for a good portion of your day- try to MOVE more.

Number 2:

Prioritize PLAY.  Instead of watching TV every night- go bowling or play a board game.  Go outside for a hike or play a recreational sport.  This one is BEST when done with OTHERS.  You will get WAY more out of it if you are spending time with people whether it’s friends, family or strangers.

Number 3:

Reflection, reading, journaling, praying.  Reflecting on your day allows you to be more intention tomorrow.  It also allows you to be more present in the moment.  If we are just flying through life and never stop to center our hearts and minds, we may wake up one day 20-50 years from now and forget most of what we ever did.  I do NOT want that to happen to me.  Do you?

Number 4:

Eat good food that tastes good AND makes you feel good.  I think we often get too comfortable in our routine of certain foods and don’t venture out to try new things.  If you are frustrated with your habits and want to change, try something new!  Our bodies long for variety.

Number 5:

Find a hobby and allow yourself to get lost in it for a period of time every week; something creative that you can let loose while doing.  Activities like this can be so therapeutic for your mind.  Hobbies can also foster community if you let them.  This can be anything: painting, whittling, playing an instrument, ultimate frisbee, geocashing, writing, singing, collecting something, bird watching, coloring/drawing, ANYthing that allows you to live in the moment effortlessly.

Number 6:

Volunteering.  This does not have to be a specific commitment.  Simply doing something for someone else will suffice.  But getting involved in some kind of volunteer opportunity is SO rewarding and good for the soul.  I know sometimes it seems like there is no time to do things like this, but I promise you it will make life more enjoyable and help you to see outside the box.  In my experience I find myself feeling trapped in my own little world sometimes and the best way to snap out of it is to step out and do something for someone else.

These are just a few short ideas I had to live a more fulfilling day to day life.  I, myself could work on some of these and do more of them consistently.  During the seasons of life when I have done them I felt the most young and free.  For other tips on holistic living check out my blog post linked here called: 10 Holistic Practices.

Thank you for joining me on this wild ride called life.

Remember: You are Loved.