Secret recipes to staying young!

Old, Elderly, Senior citizens- words that make you feel the age you are. The moment you start “growing old” as they call it or are told “you are growing old now” the body and mind begins to react in ways it need not. Growing old is definitely inevitable, but feeling old is not. So here are some secret recipes to stay young.

Join activities you enjoy. Follow your heart as now is the time to do the things you did not have the time to pursue. Make new friends and do whatever brings you happiness and don’t forget to find ways to help others. Helping others is just one way of feeling good about “you” and staying motivated. Learn that musical instrument you always wanted to or join a singing group and remember to include a dose of laughter every day of your life. Or just go studio hopping like I do.

Exercise is a must for you to stay fit, but that does not mean if your knee or legs hurt you still continue to keep the pace. You must learn to listen to your body and when it gives you signals stop. Do not judge your capabilities with that of others as we are all different and have different levels of tolerance of everything. What is good for you may just not be good enough for another. There is no shame in being different from those of your age. Simply find an exercise regime that works for you and include it in your day!

Get enough sleep and remember you don’t need to be sleeping the whole day because you have nothing to do. Get out of that bed otherwise depression and lethargy will become your companions. 8-9 hours of sleep is just right and you don’t need more than that just because you are ageing.

Eat right. Control your cravings for those ice-creams, sweets and chocolates as much as you possibly can but of course eat within limits. Eat simple food that won’t give you uneasiness during the day. Choose to eat healthy foods that provide you nourishment and energy and take your medications without fail.

Remain positive in every situation. Find friends with a positive attitude to life and avoid sitting with people who spend time complaining about old age, pains and aches. The more you talk about it and look inward at the problems the more the mind will tell your body to react negatively. Friendship as nothing to do with age so make as many young friends as you can and you will never grow old.

Sing : Definitely sing.......all those songs you loved as a youngster or all those that bring a spring to your step......loudly and be-sura too is fine.....keep the songs flowing...the joy it will bring you is definite.

Just remember: “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter”- Mark Twain 

Fitness...living it king-size

I have always wondered what the future will hold for if I continue living the life the way you do. Things are not the same anymore, right from the way people behave with each other, towards nature, the food chain, even the air we breathe. As for me I am just a few years, if not a few minutes, from disaster. I have thrown away the key and closed my eyes to worrying if I will live through the next day. Why? Simple I am living life king size each day!!

All around me people are pumping away their physical self and even their diet is causing the food chain to worry about their own existence. There are of course others who just lack the drive, ahem a bit like me, not really caring when a film star turned size 0 or 6 packs. Mujhe kya karna hai..as if Karan Johar or Abbas Mastaan or Sohail Khan are  waiting around the corner to sign me on with Amitabh Bachchan…(kaash!!!)..

Anyways, it may seem a bit silly to most as to why I don’t care as all around us the war cry of “staying healthy and fit” rings. Pray, why ? for what? After all its just this one life na…Char din ki zindagani...and besides these days I am singing “Teri hai zameen, tera aasma..tu joh chahe toh hame rakhe..tu chahe toh hame mare…..so is worrying going to help…Yeah yeah, I know if I take care of myself then I can live a healthy life and maybe live longer and not suffer…..is anyone out there giving me a guarantee??? No na, so then why can’t I believe that if you have the will to live, the will to be happy, the will to do good for others then the body is healthier than any of those you put posters up in your room.. Can I then counsel others to make their life more fulfilling? Is this the question also ringing in your mind, then it’s time for  Ma Hira  to guide you? Hey who said I have to practice what I preach. Preaching is an art and not many can do that remember. I can always preach but not practice. So lets take this one step at time. Taking the first step is always the toughest and giving up? That’s easy. So do I exercise..yes..I went for Shaimak Davar classes for over 14 years and enjoyed every class..made new friends…loose weight?  Nahin re..that did not happen at all. Naturally because I was in the highest of spirits and happy…So  do I jog? Of course, each day 5 miles...in my dreams of course!!!!..Forget about how many minutes of exercise people tell you that you need and just fit in as much as you can into your day. It’s your body and your heart and no matter how you get it, whether by just sweeping the house or watching television, aarey believe me, any physical activity will help de-stress, burn those unwanted calories, and will definitely make the heart race like a big drum…pant pant pant….…Sleep well because it’s proven that that lack of sleep increases hunger pangs and trigger overeating. On the other hand, leave the eating of nutritious meals once in a while with the family over fun conversations about each other’s boring boring daily routines. Okay that does it..enough about the healthy lifestyle gyaan… Let me share what makes me tick and stay upbeat and content. Its finding happiness in achievements of others, it’s all about laughter, positivity and being there for my dear ones be it friend or family always in whatever they want to do. I am happy when my husband sings on stage, I am happy when my friends come with me to encourage him, I am happy when a friend gets a big role in a film or serial, I am happy when someone achieves something they wished for. Even thought I am still struggling with starting a second innings and no one is helping!!! hmmmm! So be it. The key to good health is simple..finding happiness in every little moment of your life..Most importantly, whenever with friends, don’t be afraid to laugh out loud. Who cares if those sitting on the tables around you give you the “you manner less people” look.  Obviously they have not yet learnt to laugh or live life or don’t have mad friends like I do.  Hastu ha,lifestylesr daam..khushiyan ya gam.. Remember the saying “two men looked out of the prison window. One saw mud the other saw stars”.  So if you are already doing that..yeah and more power to you! If not, then why wait? Spread the smiles and watch them come back right at you!! Death will come but once. Life is a breeze..blow along!!