Being aware of depression and know it can be cared for has been my experience

I was reading Robert Hill's Seven Strategies for Positive Aging, he looks at attending a high school reunion as a metaphor in life. Steve attended his high school 50th reunion. What happens at a reunion is your enter a time phenomenon where your see people your age and yet your memories take you back and despite all the changes you remember what all these people look like. Personalities don't change. Steve noticed there were people who aged very well. The one characteristic was they looked toward life positively and saw their assets and not their deficits.  They were able to change and adapt with age. I thought it funny Steve referred to him and his classmates as middle age. I wonder at what time do we get old?
In the spirit of my reading, I saw several interesting articles in the news today related to getting older. In regard to dementia one study I looked at today shared how moderate regular exercise started by older people can help the brain to grow and delay onset of mental decline even by a year or two. For many such activity will have multiple effects. What is a value of one or two years of health? Maybe it helps longer? Check out the article.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/exercise-to-beat-dementia-regular-physical-activity-boosts-brain-regeneration-9133688.html

A study out of University of Chicago reports loneliness can be twice as deadly as obesity. Being alone

can contribute to depression and that in turn can do a number on our health.
Here is where the Fat Man can be an encouragement to you today. Several years ago I decided to treat depression and anxiety so depression would not be how I aged. Depression is treatable and worth the effort to be healed and move on. Insomnia as well is better to treat it and sleep better. I have read and reported how 25% of us are depressed at 63. It is one of those things that we should be aware of. When you are depressed there is a sense of hopelessness. I can tell you first hand that it can be treated. It feels wonderful to be well. It took work and care and wasn't easy but there is an other side. It is why I am open about being care for.
A mental illness is not a criminal act. It is not something that diminishes our self worth and character. Only 4% of those with a mental illness act out in a criminal way. If you take a closer look they probably have already done so ill or not. Our brains like our heart, lungs, arteries, kidneys, liver, muscles and bones have issues as we live and age. Illnesses can be cured, go into remission, coped with where life goes on. My depression it appears is cured. My anxiety disorder is being managed most of the time I don't even know it is there. There are times when I am sick where anxiety says hello. I have several techniques I have learned to quickly respond where it goes away.
Be aware as you get older loneliness and depression may need help. Read the article, University of Chicago http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/02/17/loneliness-can-be-lethal-for-seniors/66020.html

Prevent defense in football may not work, but prevent lifestyle choices can really prevent a heart attack. Here are some key ideas to be aware of. http://news.health.com/2014/02/15/taking-care-of-your-heart/

Keep walking

"He gives sleep to the one He loves." some thoughts on insomnea

"He gives sleep to the one He loves." (Ps. 127:2b) The other day I posted a blog from Mart Dehahn who had the most fantastic quote. "When I first heard a friend talk about the idea that a relationship with Jesus boils down to a chance to live loved, I was hooked."  Having a chance to live a life loved by God through it all is pretty amazing. Paul shares a similar truth in Eph. 1:6 NKJV : "to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved." The truth and experience of being loved and accepted is at the heart of all care and relationships. We may have feelings about God of rejection and separation, but they can be gone as we trust Him as our Savior. Then the adventure begins. 
Back to Ps. 127:2b "He gives sleep to the one He loves." Being loved and forgiven are ideas that lend to a good night sleep. But we may still find it hard to sleep. There could be a thousand reasons why but for many of us it is a result of getting older. In the Huffing Post today there was a blog that reported a study in the UK that indicated poor sleep may effect the immune system and cause cancer to grow. Yikes! Well, a breakdown in our immune system can cause a lot of bad things. Loss of sleep is something we can not ignore. A short term crisis is one thing but if it is habitual we may need help.
For me getting help to deal with panic attacks has really improved my sleep, getting physical therapy for a rotator cuff allowed me to sleep on my side as usual, and walking has reduced pain in my legs. My list goes on, but dealing with these things helped me to sleep through the night on most nights and go back to sleep.
Insomnia is not fun. I recall talking to a lady in the hospital who slept in a chair. She was 20 years older than me and her problems were more complicated. She told me she has began to have problems with dementia and was in the hospital for treatment. She was intelligent and delightful to talk to and her insight was remarkable. For the week I was there, I would get up at 5:00 am (not by choice) go get coffee and share the morning paper with her in conversation. Each day more night owls would join us and we had quite the group. Most we teachers, lawyers, with me being a the low end of the totem pole. We listened and shared our sleeping struggles and I learned a lot. One thing we did was ease our pain. Over time medicine and therapy open the door for me to improve my sleep. It takes effort and time so whatever the ailment give it a go. Sleep is a wonderful experience. Keep walking