A Grandparent’s Gift: Staying Healthy for Your Grandchildren
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Ellen was so excited to become a grandmother. She had long conversations with her daughter about how she could help after the baby arrived. She bought a portable crib for her house and stocked up on board books and baby toys. She dreamed about being an active part of this new child’s life.
But when the baby arrived, Ellen's daughter was reluctant to let her babysit. She constantly made excuses for why it wouldn’t work out for the baby to stay at Ellen’s. After several months of evasion, her daughter was honest with her. She worried that Ellen wasn’t physically up to the challenge of caring for an infant.
Ellen was crushed—and insulted. But deep down, she knew her daughter was right.
Few of us dream of sitting on the sidelines while we watch our grandchildren play with others. We want to be actively involved in their world! To do that, though, requires that we prioritize our health and fitness. The joys and rewards of being an active grandparent are worth the investment of time and energy in staying healthy. That’s why we want to cover the areas grandparents should focus on to keep up with the grandkids. Make sure to read to the end for some resources to help you stay motivated.
Grandparents need to be physically fit
The biggest barrier to being an active grandparent is our physical fitness. While aging naturally slows us down, we don’t have to accept those limitations. For most of us, it’s entirely possible to increase four areas that decline with age. Those areas are energy, stamina, mobility, and flexibility.
To increase your energy, focus on your diet and lifestyle. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is key. Research shows that a Mediterranean diet helps in everything from longevity to reducing dementia. The website OliveTomato.com is a great place to start if you aren’t familiar with cooking and eating this way.
You’ll also want to make sure you are getting quality sleep. Sleep is one of the most essential ingredients in our health. Being rested also makes it easier to engage in other activities that help us keep up with the grandchildren, like exercise and stress management.
You don’t need to become a gym rat to improve your physical fitness. The goal should be to incorporate movement into your daily life. Regularly moving all your joints with low-impact exercise will reduce stiffness and pain and make it possible to get down on the floor to play (and up again!). Daily balance work can prevent falls and help you react when a child darts into your path.
If you have injuries or chronic conditions that make moving hard, talk to your healthcare provider or a physical therapist. Too often, we accept a limitation that could improve with proper treatment. Getting older doesn’t mean we are doomed to a downward slide.
Staying mentally sharp is key to enjoying your grandchildren
While you may be able to outsmart a two-year-old, growing grandchildren demand that you maintain your cognitive health as well. Daily puzzles like crosswords or Sudoku help. Keep reading about subjects that interest you. Make it a goal to learn new things regularly. Continue using your brain so you don’t fall into the “I’m too old to change” trap. You are never too old to pick up new technology or understand new viewpoints.
No matter how much we exercise our mental abilities, cognitive impairment can still happen. If you notice memory issues, seeking an evaluation as early as possible can slow the decline. Don’t be afraid to talk to your family to see if they notice anything. A consultation with your healthcare provider can either set your mind at ease or start you on treatment while it’s still manageable.
Don’t neglect your emotional health
If your goal is to be an active and involved grandparent, don’t neglect your emotional health. Sadly, parents often limit contact with grandparents who struggle with emotional problems. You have to care for yourself before you can care for your grandchildren. Here are some ways to do that:
Create and nurture a supportive network of friends.
Learn and practice stress management techniques.
Look for support when going through life transitions like retirement or the death of a spouse.
Be on the lookout for signs of social isolation.
We often hear grandparents say, “My grandchild is my whole life.” While we understand the sentiment, don’t let it be true of you. It’s not healthy to limit your world to just a few people, even if those people are as rewarding as grandchildren are.
Grandparents who make their health a priority set a good example
Healthy, active grandparents enjoy time with their grandchildren more, and it’s mutual. Your grandchildren will enjoy time with you more if you are able to join in their activities. But there’s another good reason to focus on self-care and healthy habits. Your habits and attitudes influence your grandchildren, and will help them become healthier adults. Creating family wellness traditions can become part of your legacy.
Don’t just think about it, make a health plan
We all know we should eat better, exercise more, and take better care of our emotional health. The hardest part can be taking the first step.
Start small with sustainable changes. Incorporate some simple movement exercises into your morning routine. Make a regular walking date with a friend. Add a serving of vegetables to your lunch. Look for local MeetUp groups to make new friends.
Don’t feel you need to do it all alone, either. Meet with your doctor to discuss how you can improve your health as you age. Enlist your spouse or sister as an accountability buddy. Find a therapist to help work through feelings that are holding you back.
The following books have inspired us to stay healthy for our grandchildren:
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity, by Peter Attia
Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long and Well You Live by Becca Levy
This Chair Rocks by Ashton Applewhite
Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, Sexy, and Smart―Until You’re 80 and Beyond by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge, M.D. with Allan J. Hamilton, MD
Your health is directly related to how much you can savor the joys of being a grandparent. If you really want to be an active part of their lives, you need to make sure you are in shape to do so.
So don’t wait. Make your health a priority starting today. Need a little more motivation? Take a long look at a photo of your grandchild, and imagine dancing at their wedding someday.
