Aging can be a confusing and scary time. Between 1977 and 1997, the seniors population grew from about 2 million to 3.5 million. Today, in 2017, it sits at about 6.2 million. Twenty (20) years from now, in 2037, it is expected to number 10.4 million, according to Canadian Institute For Health Information www.cihi.ca. Aging is a natural part of life, and as we get older, we change — physically, mentally, overall health and wellness. The changes can be different for everyone, and everyone experiences experiences differently.
Highlights
- The Grace in Aging: Awaken as You Grow Older by Kathleen Dowling Singh
- Aging Backwards: Reverse the Aging Process and Look 10 Years Younger in 30 Minutes a Day by Miranda Esmonde-White
- Aging Faithfully: The Holy Invitation of Growing Older by Alice Fryling
- If I Knew Then: Finding Wisdom In Failure And Power In Aging by Jann Arden
- The Inside Story: The Surprising Pleasures of Living in an Aging Body by Susan Sands, PhD
There are many books about aging and the senior experience that can offer valuable insights and inspiration for seniors. Here is a list of our top:
The Grace in Aging: Awaken as You Grow Older by Kathleen Dowling Singh
This book explores the spiritual dimensions of aging and the opportunities for growth and transformation that arise in later life. It draws on the Dowling Singh’s experiences as a hospice worker and spiritual teacher, as well as insights from a range of religious and philosophical traditions. The book discusses the challenges and opportunities of aging, and the need to embrace the aging process with a sense of curiosity and openness. It views aging process as a path of transformation and awakening.
Topics includes aging and spirituality, the role of mindfulness and contemplative practice in promoting well-being, the importance of forgiveness and gratitude in cultivating a sense of inner peace, and the need for connection and community in fostering a sense of purpose and meaning in later life.
Aging Backwards: Reverse the Aging Process and Look 10 Years Younger in 30 Minutes a Day by Miranda Esmonde-White
“Aging Backwards: Reverse the Aging Process and Look 10 Years Younger in 30 Minutes a Day” by Miranda Esmonde-White is a fitness and wellness book that focuses on the topic of aging. The author presents an approach to exercise and movement that is designed to slow down or even reverse the physical effects of aging.
Esmonde-White’s method is based on a combination of stretching, strengthening, and conditioning exercises that target the body’s connective tissues. She argues that these tissues play a crucial role in maintaining mobility and preventing injury, and that by focusing on them, we can improve our overall health and well-being.
The book includes a range of exercises and routines that are designed to be accessible to readers of all ages and fitness levels. Esmonde-White provides detailed instructions and illustrations to help readers understand how to perform each exercise correctly and safely.
In addition to the exercise program, “Aging Backwards” also includes chapters on the science of aging and the role of nutrition and hydration in maintaining healthy connective tissues. Esmonde-White emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to wellness that includes physical, mental, and emotional health.
Overall, “Aging Backwards” provides a practical and accessible guide to staying healthy and active as we age. By emphasizing the importance of maintaining mobility and flexibility, and offering a range of exercises and routines to support these goals, the book offers readers a path to feeling and looking younger and more vibrant in their later years.
Aging Faithfully: The Holy Invitation of Growing Older by Alice Fryling
“Aging Faithfully: The Holy Invitation of Growing Older” by Alice Fryling is a book that explores the spiritual dimension of aging. The author argues that growing older is not a time of decline but an opportunity for spiritual growth and deepening intimacy with God.
Fryling draws on her own experiences and insights from spiritual leaders and theologians to offer guidance and encouragement to readers. She challenges cultural norms that equate youth with beauty and success and emphasizes the value of aging as a time of deepening wisdom, insight, and spiritual connection.
The book covers a range of topics related to aging, including the challenges of physical decline, the importance of community and relationships, and the role of gratitude and acceptance in cultivating a spiritual life. Fryling also provides practical advice for coping with the losses and changes that come with aging, such as adjusting to retirement, managing chronic illness, and facing mortality.
Throughout the book, Fryling emphasizes the importance of faith and spirituality in the aging process, offering readers a perspective that is both compassionate and hopeful. By reframing aging as a holy invitation to spiritual growth and intimacy with God, “Aging Faithfully” offers readers a fresh and inspiring perspective on the later years of life.
If I Knew Then: Finding wisdom in failure and power in aging by Jann Arden
“If I Knew Then: Finding wisdom in failure and power in aging” is a memoir by Jann Arden, a Canadian singer-songwriter. The book is a reflection on Arden’s life and the lessons she has learned through failure and aging.
Arden shares stories of her childhood, her rise to fame in the music industry, and her personal struggles with addiction, anxiety, and grief. She writes candidly about her experiences with mental health and the importance of seeking help.
This book offers readers an inspiring perspective on aging by encouraging them to embrace the wisdom and power that come with experience, prioritize self-care, and find meaning in failure. Arden’s candid reflections on her struggles with mental health and personal growth provide practical advice and a compassionate perspective for readers navigating the challenges of aging. By celebrating the value of aging and reframing failures as opportunities for growth, readers can cultivate resilience and self-acceptance to live a fulfilling life in their later years.
The Inside Story: The Surprising Pleasures of Living in an Aging Body by Susan Sands, PhD
This book explores the topic of aging from a psychological and emotional perspective. The Sands argues that, despite the challenges that come with aging, there are also many surprising pleasures and benefits to be found in the later years of life.
Sands draws on her background as a clinical psychologist and personal experiences to offer insights and advice to readers. She covers a range of topics related to aging, including the physical and cognitive changes that occur, the importance of relationships and community, and the role of spirituality and purpose in maintaining well-being.
The book emphasizes the value of self-reflection and self-awareness in the aging process, encouraging readers to embrace their changing bodies and minds and find meaning and purpose in their later years. Sands also provides practical advice for coping with common challenges of aging, such as loneliness, loss, and health issues.
Overall, “The Inside Story” offers a compassionate and empowering perspective on aging, challenging cultural norms that equate aging with decline and loss. By emphasizing the surprising pleasures and benefits of aging, and providing practical advice and insights for coping with the challenges, Sands offers readers a path to greater well-being and fulfillment in their later years.
