Beauty - It Comes From Within
Smadar
Auerbach-Barber, PhD, psychologist and
Andrea Boxer, PhD, clinical social worker,
are on the staff of Penn Health for Women.
When I look in the mirror, I can't seem to
get past the wrinkles, thinning hair and those
extra 15 pounds. Any advice?
When you look in the mirror, practice realistic self-assessment, not self-punishment.
How you define yourself goes beyond your physical appearance. Look past your
image, your face and your body, and see the person within. See the total person the
heart, the soul, the mother, the wife, the daughter and the friend.
How does a woman age gracefully in a society
that emphasizes youth, beauty and thinness?
Society is beginning to value its aging population, but women need to find
their own value. Most important is how comfortable you are with yourself. Don't
spend too much of your emotional energy on your appearance. Instead, focus
on your career, family, friends and other interests. Strive to define yourself
by your feelings and accomplishments. Dwelling on the loss of your youth prevents
you from meeting the challenges of aging.
What I find most difficult about aging is
not being able to do the things I used to do.
Any advice?
While you cannot control the physical changes or some medical changes caused
by growing older, you can determine how much you will let them affect you.
Often focusing on your strengths and accomplishments and relying on the support
of others helps you put everything in perspective. Make sure that you eat well,
exercise regularly and engage in reasonable self-care and meaningful activities.
It's not that I want to be young again, I
just don't want to be OLD. How can I cope?
Everyone has their own image of what it means to be old. Identify for yourself
what you would like this phase of your life to be. Life doesn't just happen.
Be an active participant and choose how you age.
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