We know that hormonal changes in women can cause mood swings. The least little thing can cause irritation and either tempers flare or tears stream. Didn’t that happen in puberty? Not fair! Why should women have to experience mood swings twice.
The truth is, this is not necessarily the case. There are common themes that we all share.
The most common challenge is loss of loved ones. We lose spouses, friends and grown children along with other family members. At times, it’s hard to work through the grief. There are support groups to help with the loss of a spouse and children. These groups give us the tools we need to work through the grief. Grief can be intense. There now is a diagnosis of Broken Heart Death. So, when someone says that a person died of a broken heart, it is now recognized.
We lose the financial support that we once had when a spouse dies. Our lifestyle changes. At times, the change is not for the better. We are no longer able to maintain the upkeep on our home financially or physically.
Anxiety, stress, change physically and mentally weigh heavily on us. However, there are many more tools available to us to help us in the transition.
It’s all about attitude. Are you the glass is half empty or the glass is half full and about to overflow?
Depression tends to diminish our cognitive abilities. Reach out for help if you find yourself in this position.
Having said this, mental decline is not the norm as we age. Overall, even the very old have clear thinking and learning skills.
Stay engaged with family and friends. Plan activities that keep your mind busy. Get out of the house and join different groups in the community that are designed for older people. Senior Citizen Centers fill a lot of these needs.
Make New Friends
Make new friends. Seriously. Most of my friends are a few decades younger than I am. These friendship are solid and not just superficial. One of my daughters met a close friend of mine who is her age. When I introduced them, my daughter said, “Oh it’s like you have another daughter.” My friend stopped my daughter and said, “NO, Jan is my best friend!” Difference in age is easily transcended.
A sensitive topic is the summer/winter romances. Many young men prefer older women. They are done with the expectations and drama of women their age. I personally know women who are married to younger men and there is more than one decade difference in age between them.
Why is it ok for a man to have a younger wife and not ok for a woman to have a younger husband? These stereotypes have to be changed. Remember, HIV/AIDS never went away. Sexually Transmitted Disease is high in all age groups, including mature adults. You must have safe sex! Use protection or both people should have a blood test if they have been sexually active with several people.
Youth Should Not Be Worshiped
The American culture worships youth. Why? The young know nothing! They have very little life experience. Youth is fleeting. Our culture is backwards.
Many other cultures honor the elderly. They seek out their wisdom and advice. In these cultures, the elderly live healthier lives and longer.
Summary
Read and do your own research, remember to stay safe if you are having sex with more than one person.
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