On 29 May 2024, I attended a really interesting discussion on Ageism at The Hague Natural Health Centre.
The Wikipedia entry gives a brief overview and is a good starting point:
Ageism is a bias against individuals and groups based on their age, which may take the form of discrimination at all levels against such individuals and groups, up to and including victimization and bullying The term was coined in 1969 by Robert Neil Butler to describe discrimination against the elderly, patterned on the terminology of sexism and racism. Butler defined ageism as a combination of three connected elements: negative attitudes towards old age and the ageing process, discriminatory practices against older people, and institutional practices and policies that perpetuate stereotypes about elderly people.
The term “ageism” is also used to describe the oppression of younger people by older people.
For more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ageism
The first speaker at this event I attended, Mary Jane Roy, called Ageism “The forgotten child of DEI”, and indeed it is something I rarely hear talked about.
Held with a small group at the beautiful location of The Hague Natural Health Centre – a holistic health sanctuary – it was a fascinating event discussing this topic.
Below is a mixture of the promotional text, along with my own photos and some notes….
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Join us for an insightful discussion on how stereotypes limit us as individuals and society at large. The Ageism topic will feature 3 speakers addressing the same topic from their respective areas of expertise. These ‘living room chats’ offer a safe space allowing people to ask questions and engage with others who might be experiencing similar circumstances. Our guest speakers this month include:
Mary Jane Roy
…a Stress & Resilience Expert and Advocate for thriving, INclusive & INtergenerational workspaces. She will begin by addressing what Ageism is, how it affects both young and old and why it is an important topic. Mary Jane has discussed Ageism within various corporations in order to bring awareness to these unrecognised biasis that affect so many people. Find out more about Mary Jane at CreatingWaves
My own notes for Mary Jane’s talk….
- We want to thrive in all directions, no matter what our age
- We can actually be ageist against ourselves! There can be prejudice as to how we feel
- Culture and society defines us by age, there are expectations but also laws e.g. school, drinking/voting, movie ratings, driving, marriage
- We are often told to “act our age” – what does that even mean? There are certain stereotypes and even levels of respect for different ages.
- Let’s stop generational labelling! We can’t paint a whole group as one or we perpetuate bias and it can be used to justify behaviour. It can be helpful to group potential life experience but “younger” and “older” can be enough. Otherwise it can be a self-perpetuating cycle
- There are many intergenerational benefits such as problem solving.
- Neuroplasticity is something to look more into – we create new neural pathways until we die.
- Be a lifelong learner and have a healthy brain at any age.
- Exercise + nutrition + sleep + mindfulness + life enrichments + mindset = optimal neurogenesis.
- AGE IS ONLY A NUMBER!
Sandra Delgado Quist
…is a homeopathic practitioner and the Founder of The Hague Natural Health Centre. She will offer tips for natural remedies that assist people experiencing the consequences of ageism such as low confidence, perfectionism, procrastination and more. Additionally, Sandra will discuss how to overcome some of the physical symptoms people experience in the workplace such as exhaustion, brain fog, and mental fatigue. Find out more about Sandra at her website: SDQ Homeopathy
My own notes from Sandra’s talk…
- Exercise your thoughts
- Health: the ability to adapt to change and perform without restrictions, flexibility
- Homeopathy can help the physical and emotional aspects
- Natural medicine, small tools from nature to age wisely, age proactively and healthily.
- Tissue Salts/Electrolytes can help regulate body processes
Berit Lewis
…is the CEO of Thriving Life, which offers talks, courses and workshops in healthy mental living. She holds a BA (Honours) in Psychology, a MSc in Vitality and Ageing and a MA in Communication. Berit is the author of the book Ageing Upwards, in which she invites the readers to embrace their age and take responsibility for their own health, well-being and ageing process by practicing mindfulness. She will talk about how mindfulness can help us embrace our age, based on research she has done in collaboration with Leiden Academy for Vitality and Ageing. She will end the evening with a brief mindfulness meditation. Find out more about Berit at her website: ThrivingLife
My own notes from Berit’s talk…
- We have a caveman brain wired for SURVIVAL e.g. avoidance, coping, not thriving – such as craving fatty food
- We can’t control our thoughts, but we can control our reactions. Every thought has a chemical reaction!
- What is a good life once you hit 50? Confronting stereotypes, there is so much about “staying young” but not much about “staying vital”.
- Suffering – the primary part of pain is difficult but the secondary part is optional
- Mindfulness helps us pause, focus and embrace and be aware – even with suffering and pain.
Menopause Magic
One final short presentation was fabulous, about an upcoming workshop….the timing doesn’t suit me right now, but what a wonderful way to learn more about menopause…details in the flyer below.
My main takeaway…
Next year, I turn 50. I’m so grateful that others are blazing this path ahead of me, and teaching me and many others to head into our older years much happier and healthier.
The Hague Natural Health Centre holds regular living room chats like these. Visit their website for more information:
Zestee 