1-31-2023 10:07am

Happiness at 60 and Beyond

Christine Larkin Editor

SKYLARK'S FEATURED ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - HAPPINESS AT 60 AND BEYOND

Happiness is the state of being happy, but what does happiness feel like at 60 and beyond? For many of us over 60, we're most likely spending more time with our families. We may have aging parents or siblings who need our care, or children that need our help with their children. Being a grandparent can be extremely fulfilling at this age and make us feel very happy. If you don't have children or grandchildren, perhaps you're an aunt or uncle and enjoy spending time with your nieces and nephews. And if you're alone, spending time with friends can be especially rewarding. Happiness over 60 can show up in different ways with a variety of people in our lives.

Turning 60 can be a game changer, and after our 60th birthday, we want to do everything we can to stay healthy, active and strong. Staying healthy can enhance happiness and assist in maintaining it over time. After all, with at least 20 or more years ahead of us, the investments that we make now will make all the difference in the future. These can be some of the happiest years ever, but we need to remain vigilant.

Several studies have shown that the amount of happiness that outside events bring to our lives is low. For example, people who win the lottery tend return to their original level of happiness after a few years. Good or bad luck just doesn’t seem to change our happiness for long. However, if you focus on activities that give you a sense of achievement, you can bring more satisfaction to your life.

So, go ahead and challenge yourself. Pick a skill that you have always wanted to improve and start working on it every day. Not only will your daily achievements make you happier, but you may make some new friends who share your interests along the way. Long Island has many walking trails and nature preserves. This is a great way to spend time outdoors and breath in some fresh air while meeting new people. Check out www.alltrails.com. You'll be amazed at what lies on this beautiful island.

Daily Gratitude

If you have a spiritual practice, it often helps to start the day by sharing your intentions and expressing your gratitude. You can do this through meditation and prayer each day. Even if you are not a particularly religious person, you may be able to benefit from meditation. Practicing mindfulness can be a great way to expand your mind and prepare you for the day ahead. Practicing meditation regularly can help you to manage stress, reduce negative emotions and increase self-awareness. Knowledge and self-awareness are two key elements of my mission statement, and it is what supports my messages in my vlog and here in my newsletter.

Make a To-Do List

If you're still working, or starting a new phase in your career, or even retired, you're probably very busy these days. It's a wonder how we get it all done. Making a to-do list really helps. I'm a list girl. Everyone can benefit from having a clear sense of what they need to accomplish and writing it down can make you more efficient. And, checking off the list feels so good! Being organized can give us a great sense well-being. If you are wondering how to stay happy and productive over 60, this is a great place to start! Make that list.

A Morning Ritual

We've all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This is still true at 60 and beyond. Eating a full breakfast helps you stay mentally focused, calm and alert throughout the day. Don't forget the fruit. High-protein breakfast bars or other easily portable healthy snacks to give you the sustenance you need to start the day are also great. I love bananas and nuts!

Each morning, try to give yourself some time to sit, reflect on the day ahead, and focus your energy. This will give you some calm and set your intentions for a good, productive day.

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Love Notes and Other Kind Gestures

If you live with your spouse or partner, write them a little love note and leave it under their coffee cup in the morning. I do this. It makes me feel good, too. Look for ways to tell each other how you feel by offering a kind gesture. Celebrate each other's successes and share in each other's triumphs. This is a great booster for happiness and romance.

In Closing with Love

Many of us are reinventing our lives in our 60s. We may be exploring new interests, retiring (yay...two more years), or perhaps pursuing things we enjoy but never had the time for. From this perspective, every day is a gift. Every day gives us the opportunity to be of service to others and to experience the wonders of life. What are you looking forward to doing and experiencing today?

Life at 60 and beyond is a time of new challenges and amazing opportunities. For many of us, our social circumstances are changing, too. Now is the time to invest in our physical and mental health so we can still enjoy being active every day. Take a few minutes at the end of each day to look back and be grateful for your life. Gratitude is one of the secrets to happiness at any age.

Andiamo! Let's go!

Fino alla prossima volta. Till next time!

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and beyond, what makes us happy can look very different than it did when we were young, but these years can still be very happy and rewarding. It's up to us.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - FARMINGDALE STATE COLLEGE

I work at Farmingdale State College, and I attend classes here as well. It's a great place to work and study. Perhaps you've been wanting to go back to school, like me, to finish your degree. Or, if you've taken a state test, you might enjoy working here. This is the perfect place to do both. And, it's the perfect place for employment for older adults. Located centrally on Long Island, Farmingdale State College is an easy commute from most places within Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Visit www.farmingdalestatecollege.edu for more information.

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"You can either make a list of what you have, or you can make a list of what you do not have. The first list will bring you peace and happiness, while the second list will bring you only sadness. You may have a lot of things that make you unhappy, but if you have even one thing going well, you have to focus on that."

- Prabha Rao

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SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - HAPPY by PHERREL WILLIAMS

Lyrics to Happy

It might seem crazy what I am 'bout to say
Sunshine, she's here, you can take a break
I'm a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don't care, baby by the way

Huh (Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do

Here come bad news talking this and that (Yeah)
Well give me all you got, don't hold back (Yeah)
Well I should probably warn you I'll be just fine (Yeah)
No offense to you don't waste your time
Here's why

Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do

Uh, bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
My level's too high to bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down, I said
Bring me down, can't nothing
Bring me down
My level's too high to bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down, I said

Uh, bring me down (Happy, happy, happy, happy)
Can't nothing (Happy, happy, happy, happy)
Bring me down, my level's too high
To bring me down (Happy, happy, happy, happy)
Can't nothing (Happy, happy, happy, happy)
Bring me down, I said

Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you (ayy, ayy, ayy)
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do

Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you (hey)
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do

Come on