STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL AGEING

I have just completed my FutureLearn course on ‘Strategies For Successful Ageing’ and am the proud owner of an achievement certificate.   I have written before about FutureLearn, the free online academic course platform. FutureLearn has something from everyone and I can personally vouch for its high standards.

My course was run by the University of Dublin’s Trinity College where they have a department dedicated to gerontology.   Each module of the course comprised a number of short, attention-holding tutorials  – sometimes a video, sometimes a short lecture, sometimes an article to read.   The course was also peppered with personal exercises which encouraged one to deeply reflect on one’s own lifestyle and attitudes to ageing.  It was also inspirational in many ways, showing how one can be very much in control of one’s own destiny and giving many hopeful messages about ageing.   I was cautious at first about the (optional) online discussion with other participants but I soon opened up to it, enjoying the interesting, friendly, funny and wise comments of people from all around the world.

Strategies For Successful Ageing concentrated on ‘inputs rather than outputs’ .. ie on the choices we can all make about our lifestyle and thinking, rather on the impact on us of external events.  Though the course was very broad it condensed successful ageing down to three components :

  • Managing your health – including physical, diet, mental, brain, and wellbeing
  • Staying involved in your community – being social engaged
  • Focusing on personal development as we age – opportunities for creativity, innovation and learning

One aspect of health is brain health and challenging our mental capacities, learning new skills, and exercising our intellect is hugely important to ageing well.  Taking one of the many online courses offered by FutureLearn and other organisations is one way to access an enjoyable, and actually quite sociable, resource.

Debbie King

Between 2014 and 2016 I took time out to travel alone around Europe, blogging about my experiences, discoveries and personal development on journeywithmetoo.wordpress.com One of the many beautiful lessons I learned was the possibility of self-discovery and personal growth at any age. I am now passionate about achieving and encouraging successful ageing and making this a Silver Not Grey journey. I hope that Age With Me can inform, inspire, and accompany you on your silver journey. If you want to send me a comment you can do so privately or publicly. If publicly your email address need not be displayed. Please specify if you wish your comment to be private and seen only by me, thank you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.