HOW TO COPE WITH THE FEAR OF GETTING OLDER?

Getting older is an inevitable part of our lives.

No matter how well we take care of ourselves, how hard we work or play, time marches on, and our bodies change.

According to a survey, 87% of Americans have the Fear Of Getting Old (FOGO).

However, getting older doesn't have to be frightening. Looking forward to the future can be exhilarating if you let it.

Read on for a few tips to help you cope with the fear of getting older, so you can embrace your age and feel confident about what lies ahead.

Let’s get you from ‘how I deal with getting old’ to ‘why do I worry about getting older’.

Ready? Let’s get started.

Why Am I Struggling With Getting Older?

While fear of getting older is common, it's imperative to understand why you're struggling with this.

It could be that you're afraid of losing friends or family members.

Maybe you're worried about losing your independence or making it through another day without falling sick.

In research, it was found that physical inability is the biggest cause of FOGO.

The fear can be related to something as simple as looking in the mirror and feeling uncomfortable while seeing your wrinkles and saggy skin.

The thing is you’re not alone.

And it's normal to have some fears about getting older.

It simply means you're human and aware of reality.

All you need to do is start making conscious efforts to embrace reality.

Because sometimes, healthy fear can become an unhealthy obsession that can negatively affect your life.

It's time to fight back. And we have some practical tips to navigate your way through this. Stay tuned.

But first, let’s talk about the most frequently asked question about this topic.

Does Life Get More Difficult With Age?

The answer is yes and no.

As you get older, life gets more difficult in many ways.

Your physical health declines, and you may have more medical problems.

There are also many losses (deaths of friends and family members) that happen over time.

On the other hand, some aspects of life get better with age—the wisdom gained from experience makes people more able to handle complex situations successfully.

Older people tend to be wiser.

Your experience of life improves with age.

How Do I Stop Being Scared Of Aging?

Now that you know age fear is real, how do you cope with getting older? Here are a few tips that are practical and easy to implement.

1. Stay Positive.

Focus on the positives.

Think about all the delightful things about getting older:

wisdom gained from years of experience;
knowing yourself better than ever before;
having more time for others’ needs because now you don't have young children or demanding jobs anymore.

2. Create Cheerful Daily Habits.

You can make yourself happier by engaging in daily activities that bring joy. Here are some ideas:

Go for a walk in nature or around the neighborhood.
Spend time with friends and family members you love.
Pick up an old hobby that brings you joy (e.g., knitting, painting).
Try a new restaurant/cafe every day or travel to new places.

3. Embrace Your Fears.

One of the best ways to overcome any fear is to face it head-on. If you're worried about getting older, then think about what is there to be afraid of? Is it:

losing friends?
getting old?
having lesser energy than before or
being less attractive?

The best thing we can do when faced with the fear of aging is to accept it as a natural process that is inevitable.

That doesn't mean we should give up living today though!

4. Look and Feel Beautiful

Another great way to deal with the fear of growing old is to look and feel beautiful.

Feeling good about yourself breeds confidence.

Shift your focus from what other people think of you to how you feel about yourself.

The best way to look beautiful is by being comfortable in your own skin.

Get a haircut, buy some nice clothes and have fun with makeup.

Be sure to use products that don't just hide but heal you from within. Our range of pro-age products supports the needs of mature skin and eyes and makes you feel good about yourself.

5. Don't Compare Yourself To Others

Comparison is often a source of unhappiness and anxiety, especially if it's related to physical appearance.

If you're comparing yourself to someone else, ask yourself- are you really worse off than others, or are you simply comparing yourself to an unrealistic standard?

You're unique and beautiful in your own way, so don't let other people's opinions dictate how you feel about yourself.

Depression, Loneliness and Old Age - How To Go Beyond Them.

What you focus on expands.

Therefore, the best way to overcome loneliness and depression is by shifting the focus from fear to increasing your tribe and making new friends.

And how do you do that?

Reconnect with old friends. They can serve as a support system when you need someone to talk to about problems that are related to aging.

Be open to making new friends with people who're in the same stage of life as you. This is especially important if your current social circle is limited.

Join hobby classes to find people with similar interests, or join a local community group near you through Meetup.

If you’re also feeling depressed about getting older, try these tips. You'll feel like a million bucks!

Conclusion

Remember that it is okay to be scared of getting older and that you should not feel ashamed for being afraid. It is a natural process that we all go through.

The most important thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones is try these tips to overcome this fear, so you can enjoy your life without worrying about growing old!