Seeing that the spring breeze has passed and the autumn shade is gradual, 65-year-old Lao Zhang has a trace of anxiety in his heart - he gradually realized that he is about to enter the last "winter" season of his life. Time is like an arrow, and in a blink of an eye, it has been a sixtieth birthday. 
Looking up, Lao Zhang found that there were more and more elderly people of the same age around him. According to the latest census data, the number of elderly people aged 60 and above in China has reached 2. 600 million, accounting for more than 18% of the total population. Among them, the elderly aged 65 and above are more than 1. 900 million. It can be seen that China has officially entered a deeply aging society. Looking out the window at the falling wood, Lao Zhang couldn't help but be a little stunned. He began to worry about whether his old age would become meaningless: retreating, waiting day after day for the next year. At this moment, the cold premonition has been blowing through the bottom of my heart. Fortunately, Lao Zhang didn't know that there were shortcuts on the road ahead; As long as the flame of hope is ignited in the heart, it will be able to dispel the cold winter and return to the earth in spring. 
The years are unforgiving, and Lao Zhang personally learned the true meaning of this sentence. At the age of 65, his physical strength was declining rapidly, and many of the activities that he used to be easy to engage in were now insurmountable obstacles. For example, Lao Zhang likes to go to the community court to play cards and chess with his old guys on weekdays. But the last time he played chess, he was out of breath and his chest was pressed against his back. At first, Lao Zhang was still thinking that he might have exercised less recently, and he would just wait for practice. Who knows, the situation is getting worse and worse - now he is on the verge of even household chores such as sweeping the floor and washing dishes. 
This is not Lao Zhang's personal exception. Surveys show that more than 80% of the elderly over 65 years old in China have experienced varying degrees of physical decline. Experts pointed out that the cardiopulmonary function, muscle mass and metabolic level of the elderly are rapidly declining during this period, which is the main reason for the decline of physical strength. In the face of the gradual decline of his physical functions, Lao Zhang couldn't help but feel panic and powerlessness. "How did my body become so fragile? Facing his incomplete self, Lao Zhang couldn't help but feel painful. However, this is only the prelude to the stormy years of old age. An even bigger storm is yet to come. The decline of physical strength was only the beginning, and then Lao Zhang suffered even greater suffering - various physical problems and diseases followed, tormenting his body and mind. 
At first, it was a problem of acid reflux and decreased sleep quality. Lao Zhang speculated that this may be related to the habit of staying up late that he accumulated when he was young. According to research, staying up late for long periods of time can impair gastrointestinal function and make people more susceptible to diseases such as acid reflux or sleep apnea. After that, Lao Zhang successively developed a series of symptoms such as osteoporosis, muscle atrophy, and vision loss. Experts say that this is due to the slowdown of metabolism and the decline of various organ functions in the elderly. According to data from China's elderly health, more than 80% of the elderly over 60 years old in China suffer from more than one chronic disease. "I'm afraid I won't be able to support this body for a few years. Lao Zhang laughed at himself. Indeed, under the doctor's merciless sentence, he finally realized that his body functions had entered an irreversible countdown. 
After a long period of wind and rain, what kind of life will be ushered in? Lao Zhang didn't dare to imagine. After retiring, Lao Zhang gradually felt a sadness of being abandoned by society. He found that he seemed to have fallen from the protagonist of the struggle to the passerby overnight. In his previous work unit, Lao Zhang dialed countless **, but no one recognized his voice. Even when he went to visit the company, the front desk staff turned a blind eye and would not let a strange old man enter at all. "Is my life meaningless? Lao Zhang couldn't help but ask himself. Indeed, after retirement, he lost the sense of accomplishment and value realization brought by his work, and his life seemed extremely empty. 
This emptiness can easily translate into negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. Surveys show that the prevalence of depression among retirees is nearly twice as high as the social average. Experts point out that this is because the elderly have to face cognitive dissonance caused by changing roles. For a long time, work and career have been the main factors for Lao Zhang to judge his self-worth. After retirement, this ** suddenly disappeared, which made him feel lost, and naturally he felt "abandoned". "I can work for another 10 years! Lao Zhang punched the table. Indeed, he is still quite healthy physically and mentally, and he is fully capable of creating value again. However, the reality is so cruel and ruthless, sweeping him away. 
This made him feel extremely discouraged and unwilling. After experiencing the storm of his old age, Lao Zhang was already depressed. First, do a good job in psychological construction. Experts said that in the face of declining physical functions, the elderly should build psychologically, and accept that it is a natural law for them to gradually age. At the same time, we should look at life with a positive and optimistic attitude, and regard our old age as the last bloom of our life. Lao Zhang sighed, indeed, instead of complaining, it is better to live in the present and enjoy your old age. Second, develop good living habits. Experts emphasize that ensuring adequate sleep, moderate exercise, and regular work and rest are essential anti-aging prescriptions. Recently, Lao Zhang has been trying to sleep regularly, insisting on jogging in the community park, and controlling his diet. 
Gradually, he found that his physical and mental condition had improved. Third, be socially active. Experts say that joining literary and artistic clubs and participating in volunteer services can help the elderly regain their motivation in life. Following the advice, Lao Zhang began to sign up for the community university for the elderly to learn singing, and made a group of like-minded old friends. They set up a band, which often performed to comfort the lonely and widowed. This brought Lao Zhang a great sense of spiritual satisfaction. Autumn is going to winter, and the chill is getting stronger. However, the haze in Lao Zhang's heart has dissipated. He then began to actively improve his life and meet the final hours of his life. 
Under the guidance of experts, Lao Zhang gradually built a framework for the elderly life of a healthy and fast network: mentality transformation, self-discipline in life, and social enrichment. Gradually, he regained his love for life and his vision for the future. Especially after joining the old band, Lao Zhang's heart was completely rejuvenated. Performances, socializing, and dreams all rekindled his fighting spirit and made him energetic every day. He also revisited the definition of "success" and found that bringing happiness to himself and others is more important than "fulfillment". "In my life, I will never work in vain. Lao Zhang said to himself with a smile. When he held the guitar and sang in the sun with his old friends, the whole person radiated a dazzling light. This light is the flame of hope that he rekindled in the last cold winter of his life. February** Dynamic Incentive Program