Aging Well: Savoring summer’s languid pace

When summer arrives, we usually feel depleted after months of appointments, meetings, and end-of-the-school-year events, no matter how old we are. We all need a break from the everyday routines of our life. We need experiences that can help us relax, replenish our energy, and uplift our spirits. We need to savor the special moments of summer, which is so fleeting.

I imagine, dear readers, that the word “savor” may not hold much meaning for some of you. I have come only recently to understand that to savor means to fully appreciate and enjoy a present moment. It involves slowing down and taking the time to note the special qualities of your experience as it unfolds. It implies lingering long enough to notice what you are seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, and tasting. It is the slowing down and the observing that were new to me.

I first learned this idea to “savor” in a meditation class. Each participant was given a single raisin and instructed to hold it in our hands, taking a moment to observe its texture and feel. Then, we were asked to place the raisin in our mouths and, over several minutes, slowly taste it, chew it, and finally swallow it — savoring every moment of the experience. I was amazed by the richness of those five minutes. It was an unforgettable learning moment for me and marked the beginning of a new way to experience.

As I have aged, I have found that what brings me pleasure has changed significantly. Here are six of my favorite summer pastimes now that I am in my 90s. 

Water’s edge

First, let’s talk about the joy of being near water. People of all ages love spending time in and around water. We flock to spas, beaches, and lakes during the warmer months. Like flowers blooming in the sunshine, we thrive in the light. We intuit deep in our bones that water is healing and therapeutic.

My childhood summers were spent at Cranberry Lake in northern New York. In recent years, I hardly ever go swimming, as getting in and out can be challenging in some places. I’ve come to realize that my pleasure now comes from being at the water’s edge — the soothing sound of the lapping waves, the refreshing coolness of the water on my feet, and the gentle breeze blowing softly around me.

Walking

Henry David Thoreau wrote extensively about the joys of walking in Acton. I love his concept of “sauntering” — walking at a pleasant, leisurely pace, slower than exercise mode. Sauntering is an excellent way to enjoy the moment, particularly for those of us over 70. I’ve come to realize that there’s no need to rush.

Recently, there’s been a lot of attention on what the Japanese call “forest bathing,” a mindful practice that involves immersing oneself in the sights, sounds, and smells of trees. Research has shown that spending time in nature can alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and anger; strengthen the immune system; and improve cardiovascular and metabolic health. It boosts overall well-being and promotes better sleep. 

I often walk in the nearby woods — sometimes with a friend and sometimes alone. Every time I walk, I feel more alive and more like myself.

Reading

I rarely sit and read for more than an hour during most of the year. However, now that summer is here and I have the gift of more free time, I am whizzing through books. My recent favorite is “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks, and I highly recommend it.

Online games 

With my lighter summer schedule, I’ve spent more time playing online games like Wordle, Connections, and Upwords, which is similar to Scrabble but adds a third dimension to the gameplay. I play once a week with a friend and find it engaging and restorative. Online games are particularly refreshing, because they provide a small world with clear rules and a sense of certainty (something we all long for). They also keep us sharp.

Just sitting

During summer, I often sit on my balcony in the cool of the early morning. I enjoy watching the birds and gazing at the small portion of the river visible through the leafy trees. While it may seem like I’m doing nothing, it feels incredibly relaxing and restorative. Now that I am 90-something I am just beginning to understand the value of savoring these simple moments.

Getaways 

Traveling somewhere, anywhere, is a surefire way to shift your perspective, while providing great photo opportunities.

I rarely get to Boston these days, so it was exciting to take a day trip into the city last summer with my friend Jane. Taking the subway into the city marked the beginning of our adventure. It had been more than a decade since I had last been on the T. The diversity of the riders that day — especially compared with my age-segregated retirement community — was amazing.

We went to the library to watch, in person, the “Boston Public Radio Talk Show” with Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. It was a hot day, so the air-conditioned library was a delightful space to while away a few hours. The show was lively, filled with interesting and provocative comments from Jim and the day’s guests. It was a lovely outing. I had pushed my self-imposed boundaries and reconnected with my city. Even in my 90s,  I discovered I could move beyond my well-trodden paths.

May all of us savor many magical moments this summer. 

I’ll end with a quote from Thoreau: “Live each season as it passes, breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit.”