By Bonnie Brown

Columnist

It seems that Mother Nature has been flexing her cold weather muscle here just because the calendar turned to January, indicating that it is now winter.  We seniors tend to feel the cold more intensely just because of our old achy bones.  

Tom and I have a consistent daily routine.  We get up around 6 each morning, have coffee and some breakfast.  Then we each pursue whatever individual chores or interests we have.  Tom usually spends some time in his office, and I take time to apply some makeup so as not to alarm any neighbors I may encounter.  He may or may not go to Planet Fitness or do errands.  We seem to stay busy until lunchtime.  We try to tune in to the news to see reports and weather forecasts.  And for the record, bedtime is usually around 10 p.m.

Later in the afternoon, we’re quite likely gonna take a nap.  Ahhh . . . what an indulgence!  Certainly, we didn’t get to do this when we were employed.  

In a recent edition of the AARP Bulletin, it talked about the “super agers.”  These are the folks who are very intentional about the way they go about the aging process and address the question as to whether you want to live to be 200 given the advances in science.  I read with great interest some of the routines and “longevity secrets” of the aging population.  In most cases, it involves exercising each day and much attention to their diet.  I applaud their efforts, but we’ve all heard about the athlete who was in perfect health who succumbed to an early demise.  

I was most interested in what Ina Garten had to say about her approach to aging.  I especially liked what she had to say about “surrounding herself with people who are happy and positive and smart and funny.”  She went on to give some details about her approach to taking care of herself.  She works out with a trainer twice a week and does yoga twice a week.  The “Barefoot Contessa” obviously eats well too.  But what I love about her description of her day is that she works hard in the morning and then does other things in the afternoon.  Most specifically, for a couple of hours in the afternoon, she observes what she referred to as “toes up.”  This involves reading in bed, taking a nap, or answering email, or just pleasant time of rest and reflection.

I applaud her admission that she observes the “toes up” portion of her day and I readily admit that mine involves a nap.  Your body tells you when you’re tired but many of us ignore that signal.  We certainly had to when we were on the clock at our job.  But now that we are retired, why not experience a couple of hours of “toes up?”  I don’t even have to feel any fatigue.  It’s just a nice way to recharge and refresh.  I have finally begun to accept that I don’t have to be productive every hour of every day.  

I admire those folks who are productive and making valuable contributions each and every day.  It’s just nice that I don’t have to do anything except those things that are essential in my day-to-day living, and those things that give me pleasure and a feeling of accomplishment.  

So even if you are one of those over-achievers, consider a “toes up” break in your day.