Aging Gracefully
- Mariska Hargitay, known for her long-standing role as Olivia Benson on NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” turned 60 earlier this year and has remained “grateful” amid her long-standing career. She took to social media this week share an underwater photo of herself, prompting praise from number of her fans.
- Healthy aging isn’t just about accomplishing medical check-ups or managing illnesses. It’s also about maintaining a high quality of life as you age, keeping your body and mind as robust as possible, and living life to the fullest. SurvivorNet has put together some tips that can help you age healthily, which include: Physical Activity, Nutrition, Social Engagement, Mental Stimulation, Regular Check-ups, and Sleep.
- Remember, consistency is the key. Building these habits and making them part of your daily routine can potentially slow down the aging process and improve your overall well-being.
- Even small steps can have a significant impact, so it’s never too late to start. After all, aging is just another word for living. And our aim should not be to just live longer, but to live healthier and happier.
Hargitay, who shares three children with her 56-year-old actor husband Peter Hermann, took to Instagram this week to share an artsy photo of herself facing away from the camera in what appears to be a pool, with her hair wet.
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A fourth fan, also suggesting Hargitay’s husband took the image, commented, “Peter seriously needs to teach a master class on the art of photography. Another gorgeous shot of his most beautiful subject.”
It seem as if Hargitay was in the pool she shared photos of just one day prior, with the caption, “Reflect.”
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Meanwhile, in honor of Hargitay turning 60 on January 23 this year, the iconic actress and producer spoke with People about her thoughts on aging and how it feels to be working for “SVU” for a milestone 25 years.
She told the celebrity news outlet, “I’m so proud of it and I’m grateful. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been.”
As for her well-established career, and working on the same show for nearly three decades, Hargitay said, “I have two diametrically opposed answers. One is I can’t believe it’s been 25 years, a quarter of a century!
“And the other is, I can’t see it any other way. I can’t imagine the show ending, and can’t imagine not going on this journey with my cast, my crew.”
Hargitay, who founded Joyful Heart Foundation, which offers support to those who have been sexually abused, continued, “I have so much to look forward to. And I’m still growing. I like that you can be so many things at one time. It’s learning to give yourself permission to be all of yourself.”
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Offering more insight into her viewpoint on life and her career, Hargitay added, “I lead with my heart. It’s hard for me to witness other people’s pain. I’m like a laser. I don’t do small talk very well. So I connect with people.”
“The other thing is that I’m vulnerable. That’s my superpower. I’m somebody who understands you can be vulnerable and a badass at the same time. We’re all in this together so let’s raise each other up.”
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It’s wonderful to see Hargitay maintaining confidence through the years, however, she recently admitted she didn’t always feel this way.
In another post, shared on Instagram, Hargitay wrote alongside an uplifting body image quote, “I didn’t [feel] insecure about my body, never even thought about it, until I started getting bullied when I was 10 despite being what’s considered ‘average.’
“Since then, it’s been a struggle. What beautiful words that we all need to hear. I feel grateful for what my body has given me, seeing/feeling/hearing all the beauty of this world, which I’m lucky to say includes your smile, your words and your hugs.”
The powerful quote she shared an image of, which is credited to Instagram user @lexyflorentina, read, “Look at your body. Look at hose arms that have held people they love. Look at those eyes that have seen oceans and mountains and big green trees.
“Look at those legs that have carried you through your longest journeys. Look at your feet that have held you up on your hardest days. Look at your smile that has grinned a million times at the moments that have brought you joy. Look at your body … not for the curves or textures, but for the moments that this body has given you. Look at your body. Now what do you see?”
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Understanding Aging
Although Hargitay is only 60, it’s understandable that aging can feel like a mystery at times, and it’s great to see her taking the journey positive attitude, especially as she’s been in the public eye for a quarter-century. After all, we’ve all heard phrases like “Age is just a number,” but what does that mean? And how does it impact our health and well-being?
From the day we are born, our bodies and minds start to change and grow. This continuous process is, fundamentally, what we call ‘aging.’ Life is a journey filled with countless changes, and aging is an integral part of that journey. Quite often, when we talk about aging, we focus on the physical changes, but it’s also about the evolution of our mental and emotional states.
SurvivorNet has provided an overview of aging to guide you through this universal process.
Some key points to remember about aging:
- Aging is a natural biological process that affects everyone.
- The experience of aging can vary greatly among individuals.
- While aging comes with some inevitable changes, many aspects of aging are influenced by lifestyle choices and attitudes.
Aging isn’t something to fear or shy away from—it’s a phase of life that we all share.
Healthy Aging Tips
Healthy aging isn’t just about accomplishing medical check-ups or managing illnesses. It’s also about maintaining a high quality of life as you age, keeping your body and mind as robust as possible, and living life to the fullest. SurvivorNet has put together some tips that can help you age healthily:
Physical Activity: Try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise into your daily routine. This could be walking, cycling, swimming—any physical activity you enjoy!
Nutrition: Eat a balanced diet heavy on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Limiting processed foods, sugars and unhealthy fats can make a big difference in your overall health.
Social Engagement: Stay socially active. Whether it’s attending family gatherings, participating in group hobbies, volunteering, or just catching up with friends, maintaining social connections can significantly enhance your emotional health and well-being.
Mental Stimulation: Engage in activities that stimulate your mind. This could include reading, doing puzzles, learning a new skill or language, or even playing memory-boosting games.
Regular Check-ups: Don’t forget about your regular medical, dental, and eye check-ups. Prevention is always better than cure!
Sleep: Good sleep is vital for your overall health. Practice good sleep hygiene – keep a regular sleep schedule, make your sleeping environment comfortable and quiet, and try to avoid screens before bed.
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Remember, consistency is the key. Building these habits and making them part of your daily routine can potentially slow down the aging process and improve your overall well-being.
Even small steps can have a significant impact, so it’s never too late to start. After all, aging is just another word for living. And our aim should not be to just live longer, but to live healthier and happier.
Learning About Positive Psychology
One way to cope with body image, mental health, and all that comes along with aging, is through positive psychology, an approach to mental well-being that focuses more on a person’s strengths and how they can help themselves rather than just trying to curb individual symptoms and/or diagnose a disorder.
“It is a fundamental sort of different way of thinking about patients, thinking about their experience,” Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, told SurvivorNet.
“It’s not just focusing on what’s the matter. It’s also asking them, what matters to you?”
Dr. Boardman noted that positive psychology is a reimagined approach to dealing with mental struggles. “Making people feel less bad is not the same as making them feel good,” she said, referring to how this new approach encourages people to try to find happiness rather than just try to stop sadness.
This approach can be a major benefit to people who are dealing with an illness like cancer because it focuses on finding those great parts of life.
What is Positive Psychology & How Can it Help?
“Positive emotions have unique benefits above and beyond managing negative emotions,” Dr. Boardman explained. “Sometimes you can treat a patient and get rid of some of their symptoms, and it’s not necessarily then that you find a flourishing patient you might even get an empty patient.
Dr. Boardman continued, “So, really tapping into those resources where do they find positive emotions? What provides a sense of engagement for them? How can you promote positive relationships?”
Practicing Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance
If you struggle with self-perception and body image, you should try to look at yourself in a positive light despite how difficult it may be. By practicing body positivity, you can boost your emotional well-being.
Dr. Marianna Strongin, a New York-based licensed clinical psychologist, also has some helpful advice. She encourages people that spending time in front of the mirror can help with body image.
Although “research has found that when looking in the mirror, we are more likely to focus on the parts of our body we are dissatisfied with,” which can cause “a negative self-view and lower self-esteem,” it’s important to look at the parts of your body that you love and the parts of your body that you don’t.
Eventually, Dr. Strongin says, doing so can help you create a more accepting relationship with yourself.
“Body image is both the mental picture that you have of your body and how you feel about your body when you look in a mirror,” she said. “As you allow yourself to spend more time looking at all of you, you will begin having a new relationship with your body.”
It’s important to remember there is no one definition of beauty, and following a health crisis, patients must learn to be proud of who they are and how far they’ve come inside and out.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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