Aging Gracefully
- Actress, singer, and former Miss America Vanessa Williams, 61, has revealed she’s embracing being 61 years old and doesn’t plan to undergo surgeries, or get botox injections or fillers.
- Healthy aging isn’t just about accomplishing medical check-ups or managing illnesses. It’s also about maintaining a high quality of life as you age, keeping your body and mind as robust as possible, and living life to the fullest. SurvivorNet has put together some tips that can help you age healthily, which include: Physical Activity, Nutrition, Social Engagement, Mental Stimulation, Regular Check-ups, and Sleep.
- Remember, consistency is the key. Building these habits and making them part of your daily routine can potentially slow down the aging process and improve your overall well-being.
- Even small steps can have a significant impact, so it’s never too late to start. After all, aging is just another word for living. And our aim should not be to just live longer, but to live healthier and happier.
Speaking to People in a recent interview, the pageant queen-turned-actress and singer, insisted she wants to “embrace” that she’s 61 years old and not getting any younger.
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She continued, “I want to look like myself. I want people to know this face has lived. That’s kind of where I am at at this point, at 61.
“I look at Diane von Furstenberg, I just watched her doc. She was talking about embracing the wisdom and the age that you are.”
Admitting she isn’t immune to skin imperfections on her face, Williams added, “Yeah, there’s some wrinkles, but that’s because I have sat out in the sun for too long. But I love the sun, dammit! If the sun is out, I will sit out in the sun and do my crossword and have a nice glass of wine.
“If that shows on my décolleté, too bad. I’m embracing my age.”
As for other aspects of her body and overall health maintenance, Williams admitted, “I do bio-identical hormones. I do testosterone, progesterone and estrogen.
“I do sublingual drops for liver, kidney, adrenal. I do stem cell under my tongue as well. So I’ve got all the tricks that keep me feeling good. I kick box, I lift weights, I cycle, I swim, I do whatever it takes. I want to stay alive.”
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Williams has certainly come a long way since July 1984 when she resigned as Miss America, after becoming the first Black woman to win the title and the only winner in the pageant system forced to give up her crown.
She had to give up her crown 10 months into her reign after nude images were published of her in Penthouse magazine.
However, that set back didn’t stop her from pursuing her career in singing, acting, and modeling.
Williams later become known for her songs “Saved the Best for Last” and “Dreamin’,” as well as her acting roles in “Ugly Betty” and “Shaft.”
Now, she’s taken on the role as fashionista Miranda Priestly in the new musical production of “The Devil Wears Prada,” will run preview performances until August 17th, before opening at West End’s Dominion Theatre in London two months later.
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As for how the Desperate Housewives alum feels about her new role, she told People in an earlier interview, “I’m still here and I’m still standing. I’m still feeling strong.”
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Understanding Aging
Although Vanessa Williams is only 61, it’s understandable that aging can feel like a mystery at times, and it’s great to see her taking the journey positive attitude, especially as she’s been in the public eye for a quarter-century. After all, we’ve all heard phrases like “Age is just a number,” but what does that mean? And how does it impact our health and well-being?
From the day we are born, our bodies and minds start to change and grow. This continuous process is, fundamentally, what we call ‘aging.’ Life is a journey filled with countless changes, and aging is an integral part of that journey. Quite often, when we talk about aging, we focus on the physical changes, but it’s also about the evolution of our mental and emotional states.
SurvivorNet has provided an overview of aging to guide you through this universal process.
Some key points to remember about aging:
- Aging is a natural biological process that affects everyone.
- The experience of aging can vary greatly among individuals.
- While aging comes with some inevitable changes, many aspects of aging are influenced by lifestyle choices and attitudes.
- Aging isn’t something to fear or shy away from—it’s a phase of life that we all share.
Practicing Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance
If you struggle with self-perception and body image, you should try to look at yourself in a positive light despite how difficult it may be. By practicing body positivity, you can boost your emotional well-being.
Dr. Marianna Strongin, a New York-based licensed clinical psychologist, also has some helpful advice. She encourages people that spending time in front of the mirror can help with body image.
Although “research has found that when looking in the mirror, we are more likely to focus on the parts of our body we are dissatisfied with,” which can cause “a negative self-view and lower self-esteem,” it’s important to look at the parts of your body that you love and the parts of your body that you don’t.
Eventually, Dr. Strongin says, doing so can help you create a more accepting relationship with yourself.
“Body image is both the mental picture that you have of your body and how you feel about your body when you look in a mirror,” she said. “As you allow yourself to spend more time looking at all of you, you will begin having a new relationship with your body.”
It’s important to remember there is no one definition of beauty, and following a health crisis, patients must learn to be proud of who they are and how far they’ve come inside and out.
Healthy Aging Tips
Healthy aging isn’t just about accomplishing medical check-ups or managing illnesses. It’s also about maintaining a high quality of life as you age, keeping your body and mind as robust as possible, and living life to the fullest. SurvivorNet has put together some tips that can help you age healthily:
Physical Activity: Try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise into your daily routine. This could be walking, cycling, swimming—any physical activity you enjoy!
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Nutrition: Eat a balanced diet heavy on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Limiting processed foods, sugars and unhealthy fats can make a big difference in your overall health.
Social Engagement: Stay socially active. Whether it’s attending family gatherings, participating in group hobbies, volunteering, or just catching up with friends, maintaining social connections can significantly enhance your emotional health and well-being.
Mental Stimulation: Engage in activities that stimulate your mind. This could include reading, doing puzzles, learning a new skill or language, or even playing memory-boosting games.
Regular Check-ups: Don’t forget about your regular medical, dental, and eye check-ups. Prevention is always better than cure!
Sleep: Good sleep is vital for your overall health. Practice good sleep hygiene – keep a regular sleep schedule, make your sleeping environment comfortable and quiet, and try to avoid screens before bed.
Remember, consistency is the key. Building these habits and making them part of your daily routine can potentially slow down the aging process and improve your overall well-being.
Even small steps can have a significant impact, so it’s never too late to start. After all, aging is just another word for living. And our aim should not be to just live longer, but to live healthier and happier.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
