Wellness: You Get Knocked Down But YOU Get Up Again!
You won’t get through the Third Act without a few bumps and bruises
So, here we are, sailing along going into our Third Act. We’ve got our purpose; we’ve got our friendships; we’ve got our FUN activities; we’re exercising and eating right and we’re doing just fine financially. What could go wrong? Well, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but something WILL. At some point, your body is going to tell you that you have been beating it up for a lot of years and it’s going to ask for some attention. Maybe it will be a knee that gives out, or a problem with insulin resistance or even an issue with heart rhythm - who knows? The most important thing to know is that you are not immune to these things. Quite the contrary, you can expect them. Which doesn’t sound like the upbeat notions you usually read about in this newsletter, does it? But, the message here is DON’T DESPAIR! You can make all of this just part of your life - a bump in the road (maybe a big one), if you will - with a little preparation and a lot of attitude!
Before you retire
If you are lucky enough to still be under your company’s medical insurance program, have them throw the book at you before you retire! Your coverage likely won’t be as thorough (ie: it will be more expensive) after you go out on your own for insurance. Go to the podiatrist and the dermatologist and the ophthalmologist and every other “ist” you can think of. Now, they’re not going to do tests that you don’t need, but if you tell them you want a thorough clean bill of health, and tell them why, they’ll ask a few more questions and you’ll get a few more answers - which you want before you either go on Medicare or have to choose a slightly less comprehensive policy before you qualify for Medicare. Plus, you’ll be retiring with peace of mind that you’re well enough to dive full-on into your Third Act.
Now, and for the rest of your life - go to the doctor!
Just because you are already retired doesn’t mean you’re off the hook to go see all of these doctors. Here’s a list of recommended appointments you should make that includes how often you should see each of the practitioners. The most important thing you can do for your health, given that something is going to go haywire at some point, is to get an early diagnosis. Early detection gives you more options. Get the therapy before you need the surgery. Make the changes you need to in your lifestyle or diet before you have to be on the medication. Find the abnormality before it intrudes on the functioning of your systems. One of the findings from this AJMC study is that “annual screening found laboratory evidence for 1185 previously unrecognized cases of prediabetes, 287 cases of diabetes, 73 cases of chronic kidney disease, and 669 positive colorectal screens per 10,000 people.” So, roughly 20% of blood screenings find something and that doesn’t take into account other screenings like mammograms and prostate exams. Scary. But if you find them before they find you, you have a chance of doing something about them and having less disability and/or death than you otherwise would.
It’s not you; it’s me… and EVERYBODY else!
If/when you are diagnosed with something, please, Please, PLEASE do not feel guilty about it! This guilt can bite you in a couple of ways. First, you may put off going to the doctor or not be totally honest with the doctor if you are afraid something about your lifestyle has impacted your health. Both of those things will make it much more difficult to get the early diagnosis that we talked about and, while they are very common feelings, they are VERY counterproductive. Your doctor has seen it all before and is truly only interested in ensuring you are healthy. They, too, will feel better if they diagnose you correctly, and before they have to give you REALLY bad news. Secondly, if you feel any guilt around not being the healthy individual you’re “supposed to be” those feelings can manifest themselves in mental states that are not conducive to getting well. Don’t make your body battle depression and anxiety at the same time it’s recovering from surgery or battling high blood pressure. As we said, it is NOT just you that is getting a diagnosis (or two, or three) in the Third Act. Me, too! And literally everybody else on the planet. It can be tough to shift your mentality about disease and ailments from “invincible” to “inevitable.” You can absolutely reduce the frequency and severity, but the truth is, you can’t eliminate every ailment. Welcome to our little club.
You’re already ready
If you’re reading Younger Next Year and following our little regimen of changing habits to include more exercise, more healthy foods, more friends and more FUN, you’re already on your way to recovery from these setbacks! The less inflamation your body has, and the more good lean muscle, the better it’s going to fight whatever fight it has in front of it. Here’s an AMAZING story, if you don’t believe me. You already know I’m a Younger Next Year junkie, but here’s evidence that this stuff works. The author of the books was hit by a car when he was out on a bike ride at 83 years old. You can read his take on this incident here. He credits his glutes for absorbing the impact. (Remember he exercises at least 60 minutes a day at least 6 days a week.) He didn’t get away unscathed - after all, the car was going 35 miles an hour, or so - but he did get away with his life and limbs. AT 83! His injury was less severe than most and his recovery quicker than most. AT 83! He credits lifestyle. I do, too. If you are mostly healthy, your body can concentrate on whatever injury or ailment you have, rather than trying to compensate for all of the other ills you’ve laid upon it.
Don’t fall for the hype!
So, you need a hip replacement, or you have cataracts. WHAT? Aren’t those OLD PEOPLE ailments? Don’t fall for that hype! Your brain has an amazing ability to impact everything about your body. If your brain starts to feel old and infirm, your body will follow. Was Chris old and infirm at 83? Nope! And neither do you have to be. Here’s my story. (One of them, anyway.) I had cataracts in my early 50’s. I, literally, had cataract surgery within months of my parents having that same surgery. Did I feel old? You bet your boots I did! But the doctor told me it’s not unusual for people in their 40’s and 50’s to have cataracts. Growing up near a beach town and never wearing sunglasses will do that to you, I now know. That conversation with my doctor helped me feel young-ish and ready to tackle this thing. And, at the end of the day, here’s the thing: I now have 20/20 vision without needing glasses! I haven’t been able to see the “E” at the top of the eye chart without glasses since I was in elementary school. Recovery was a breeze and the results actually make me feel younger than I did before I went in, because I can see like a kid again! There’s no such thing as an old people’s diagnosis. There’s only YOUR diagnosis and you, my friend, are NOT old! Don’t let your brain tell your body that you are.
You got this
I know none of this is easy. I make it sound like all you have to do is “attitude” yourself out of your ailments… but they hurt, they’re scary and they’re never fun. Give yourself some grace and allow a little bit of self pity. Just don’t get stuck there. Realize how strong and resilient you are. Be proud of yourself for getting an early diagnosis. Know that whatever steps you’ve taken to be a stronger, healthier you are paying off and helping you to come out the other side of this diagnosis ready to grab life by the... horns. I think the biggest thing is just to know this is coming. Don’t be surprised or disheartened that you have a bump or a bruise, or a little basal cell carcinoma. Tackle it with the same verve that you are tackling the rest of your Third Act! It’s all part of the journey.