10 things you may regret in old age if you don’t do now

clinical psychologist, author of the Telegram channel “Psychologist writes…”

Being young, it is difficult to realize that every day of life is an incredible gift of fate. All of us would like to live a long and happy life to meet old age without any regrets. To do this, it is important to stop once in a while and analyze where you are going and what you are missing.

What are some of the things you may regret in old age?

1. That you didn’t pay attention to your health

Taking care of your health should start from a young age. Many diseases can be prevented by keeping track of your condition. This and screenings and annual check-ups. This is a healthy lifestyle, when there is a place for sports and a balanced diet.

Simple and uncomplicated actions, such as exercise in the morning and a few glasses of water a day, can influence the overall condition. Get plenty of sleep! One more episode of your favorite show will do much less good than an extra hour of sleep.

If there is an ailment, it is important to consult a specialist and do not self-medicate.

2. That you have not decided to change

Change can be different. For example, to leave an unloved person, change jobs, move to another city (or country), publicize your creativity or dare to realize a business idea.

Do not hoard unrealized desires – even if your inner critic claims that nothing will work out. Sit it next to you, let it mumble, but do it.

3. about the relationships you were afraid to enter into.

These days, there is still a view that men and women should not choose mesalliance. In life companions find a person of their own circle, with the same wealth and education. The reason is the imposition of older relatives or friends.

It also happens that a man simply does not dare to confess his feelings. Why? Just afraid of being rejected… Love is worth the risk!

4. What you haven’t said about how you feel

A word is silver, but silence… sometimes it’s meaningless. Voicing what you’re not happy about is the only healthy way out of a situation. Avoiding arguments can increase tension.

If you don’t give your significant other, coworker (or even your boss) a chance to realize that things aren’t going smoothly, nothing will ever change.

In addition, keeping everything in yourself, saving up resentments is bad for your health. Psychosomatic disorders can be a physical embodiment of mental stress.

5. About losing touch with best friends

How often a person does not dare to resume relations with people dear to him: friends, former classmates, colleagues. It seems that life has divorced them, a person is busy, does not want to impose.

And here are two people who could be friends, do not reach out to each other. It’s sad.

6. That they lived “on borrowed time.”

Living a life that isn’t your own is a great way to waste precious time. Living for your kids, for your husband, saving others (often those who don’t ask for it), and then resenting the ingratitude….

Do you really want to be an elderly person in your old age whose day only gets brighter when you dial your loved ones? Who has no passion of his own and no life of his own?

Another way to live on borrowed time is to be fascinated by the stories of others. Being someone’s ardent fan, watching shows, discussing celebrities on forums.

You can always stop and ask yourself: do I want to create? If yes, then what exactly?

7. On living a life at odds with values

Values and conscience are important guideposts in life. They are the compasses by which one can check the path of a person.

Everyone has different values: freedom or love, family or career, creativity or business, many friends or one, but very close, tolerance or harsh honesty. It is yours that will be the right ones for you.

Living a life according to values can be challenging and require making difficult choices. But, only after living such a life can you say: it was worth it!

8. On living a life without meaning

Viktor Frankl, an Austrian psychotherapist who was a concentration camp survivor, made meaning in life a key theme of his field. He believed that having meaning in every moment (and we are not talking about something global and great) is an important condition for mental health.

Meaning can be found through creativity, through contemplation and through taking a stance on life. Especially when dealing with a difficult situation.

9. That you haven’t learned something important

Studying is not only an opportunity to learn new knowledge and skills, it’s also about building new neural connections. People who learn in adulthood, whether it’s dance, programming, a new language, slow down their own aging.

Each accomplishment triggers a reward mechanism – dopamine reinforcement. Life becomes brighter and more enjoyable, self-esteem increases. It’s never too late to learn.

10. About not being grateful

Giving thanks to life, celebrating life, saying thank you to yourself and the world is a great way to learn to see the light even on the darkest days.

Gratitude practices are incorporated by many psychologists today because of the amazing difference they can make.

Life is a long chain of days, moments, and experiences. There may be beads of black and gray on it. It is all the more important to consciously string bright and colored beads. What kind of necklace do you want to admire in your old age?