with it comes a sense of apprehension, trepidation and maybe a sense
of anticipation. The first few days when you acquire the status of a
senior citizen are full and the consequences of retirement have yet to
sink in. A month passes and time hangs heavily and in a sense you feel
lost, but a change in attitude can alter all that. The Indian
government hasgiven many concessions to senior citizens and it would
do good if you focused on the advantages rather than the
disadvantages. Even at a personal level you can think of it as a new
beginning rather than an end of a phase. Look around you, wake up to
the things around you, have a new perspective and find time for all
those things that you wanted to do but could never get done.
Books and reading are all time favorite hobbies to indulge in.
InIndia, subjects like astrology, tarot reading and palm reading have
attracted many. So serious do these senior citizens become that you
would never guess theywere novices. Heated discussions, debatable
debates on politics and religion have alsoengrossed quite a few. Then
there is this small segment, which focuses on economy and finance.
Many Indians who have never taken investment seriouslystart reading
business magazines, and catch up on bullish and bearish trends in the
market. Surprisingly many of them become prudent about investment and
offer a lot of advice to the so-called tyros. Listening to music,
attending music festivals, participating in musical activities help to
turn thefocus from retirement to aesthetics. Many philanthropic
Indians have been known to devote their attention to social causes and
have been known to form clubs, which volunteer to help people. The
sense of deep satisfaction that one gets from this is absolutely
incomparable. Developing a passion for sports, evoking an interest in
everythingaround you keeps you mentally healthy and emotionally fit.
There is a decline in mental abilities as one ages and this is mostly
an offshoot of certain pathological changes in the human brain. While
senior citizens become more mature in judgment , the ability to recall
things declines. Doing crossword puzzles, solving things mentally and
a conscious effort to relate and recall can greatly alleviate this
decline. Aging is only in the mind, you are as old as you want to be.
Reading spiritual books, committing the Saint Kabir's shlokas to
memory is a wonderful exercise for the human brain, for it emphasizes
the fact that nothing, no matter however difficult is unconquerable. A
positive attitude and a desire to learn as many new things as possible
is the key to a full and happy life. Many computer institutes in India
conduct computer coursesfor senior citizens and they are able to use
the Internet, send e-mails all over the world, store information
relating to investments and handle their bank accounts. There are
limited job openings for senior citizens but ideally they should take
a job only if they have to.
Exercise, yoga and meditation keep senior citizens in good physical
condition, as they are less prone to ailments, which tend to dog their
footsteps oncethey have crossed 60. Physical conditioning augurs
emotional and mental well being. Exercise tones muscles, improves
circulation of blood, reduces stress and wards off depression.Joints
remain flexible, the risk of arteriosclerosis is reduced, muscle and
bone loss is drastically reduced. In India, many old people have taken
to doing pranayama on a regular basis.
For Senior citizens, this is a period of growth and the proper time to
attain the riches that life has to offer. This is the time in their
lives when they can live their lives they way they actually want to.
The concessions they are entitled to makes it actually worth being a
senior citizen. Airlines offer discounted fares and the Indian
railways offer a discount on all tickets . There are separate queues
for senior citizens at the post office , railway counters and some
buses even have seatsreserved for them. It all boils down to one
thing---It can actually be quite appealing to be senior citizen once
you look at yourself with esteem and have confidence in your
abilities. Eat healthily, exercise, sleep well andextract every ounce
of elixir that life has to offer.
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