Do you feel you have aged since the pandemic

I thought I was so I applied for a job and got a job and heavens knows I'm miserable now

BlueSky

Sadly I feel I’ve aged in spirit. All those travels I used to love, now really seem to be too much effort. It’s much easier to travel sitting in your comfy armchair watching some holiday shows!

I agree and also, like Crazy I’ve become lazy and lethargic. I definitely feel I’ve aged badly over the last couple of years and I hope that when I eventually get to see my overseas family it won’t be too much of a shock for them. Must try harder!!

I moved just a few months before it all began. So pleased I did. Spring of 2020 was difficult, had not been here long enough to really get to know anyone locally - but went out each day to meet up with my daughter and youngest g.son in the local park, or go along the Promenade.

I have settled down very happily in my new retirement town. Absolutely loving it here, and have met lots of new people. The air is clean and fresh and I can only say, that despite many of the normal ailments of age, I feel much healthier now than before I moved here at the end of 2019.

With my mobility scooter I go out somewhere nearly everyday, even if it is just a trundle round the park or along the Promenade watching the dogs play on the beach.

Obviously, I am two years older, and have some more wrinkles, but generally feel so much better now that I did before I came here, particularly that last seven or eight involving the move - and during which I had a cancer scare.

The most 'ageing' aspect during Lockdown was Facetime, Zoom etc when I could see my face close-up!

For some reason I'm always startled to see what I look like

Yes but in a good way. I say no to loads of things that before I would have felt obliged to attend.

Tomorrow we are supposed to come out of the worlds longest lockdown, 267 days. It hasn’t been that good, very depressing and not that good a result ,either. Most of us have a least a mild depression and some of us have developed fairly severe mental illnesses. We have been locked up with no friends allowed round and a nightly curfew with helicopters flying overhead to make sure we are good little people obeying the rules. It has, simply, been too high a price.I wouldn’t want to be as slack as some of the European countries with huge death rates but this has been a real over reaction with very questionable results.

When my daughter was here in the summer she told my son I had gone downhill. I think of that every day now.

yes, mentally 20 years.. before pandemic, I felt and acted etc, like a 60 year old.. truly, now after the lockdowns, I feel my age,, over 80! really struggling, so NOT me at all..

weeping, on and off, no reason, just weepy, restricted movement, don`t want to go on any unfamiliar routes with my driving or anywhere that I have not been before,,, and restricted with mileage.. even to visit well loved relatives.. everything is really , really tasking!

I definitely feel that the pandemic speeded up the ageing process somehow. I had a great desire to go travelling and now I don’t feel like I want to go anywhere. Even though we get bored we sort of can’t be bothered to do anything which is awful. Feel unfit too. I need to have a serious word with myself !

Yes, I finally had my eyes tested and needed new glasses so now I can see my wrinkles a lot clearer. I need a filter on them!

I’ve let my hair go grey but have taken care of the wrinkles by allowing my skin to stretch over the newly acquired fat.
We have dug ourselves, no longer have the desire to travel and feel content at home.
So not older but definitely different.
I’m so sorry for you 1summer, such a difficult time. Wishing you both some joy with your little grandchild.

Alioop and JaneJudge ??

Have had two cataracts removed so can see the ravages of time more clearly and it's a shock. My arthritic knees have worsened. Everything is double the effort and I don't really want to go out and about. I feel I can't be bothered to do a lot of things I would have been eager to do pre-pandemic. I do know I have got to shake myself out of this at 82.

Sorry Polnan, meant to say I think many of us are weeping more. Emotions running high.

No but yea but

In one way, yes but I think it's just because I'm getting older. And thinner. When I was 64 and obese, I had few lines. No I'm 66 and in the middle of healthy bmi, I'm kinda liney - but I would have been anyway.

I had a good Lockdown, in that I have no children or grandchildren or parents to miss seeing. My two brothers and I kept in contact electronically and still do. I have a small but precious group of friends, ditto, although obviously were seeing each other more now.

Inspired by being able to continue my social life electronically, and that I didn't expire from loneliness, because I wasn't lonely, I'm taking forward my plans to move to the coast. I'm in a lifetime rental, will have to move into the scary world of private rental but I'm doing it anyway. Lockdown taught me to be brave and try new things. ?

Like Ailidh above, Covid not really bothered me at all.

Yes...I’ve changed and obviously aged through the whole Covid experience ....but thank goodness for Zoom because that became a lifeline for keeping up my fitness level and I so enjoyed the social interaction. My garden benefitted from hours spent pottering around dividing up plants, growing stuff from seed packets I found in drawers etc., and I’ve realised I am an elderly ....with wrinkles and phobias ......but grateful to be alive and stepping back into life with a grateful heart that I’ve made it through!

During lockdown I made myself walk every single day. In fact I set myself the challenge of walking every street in my home town ! However, after succumbing to the dreaded virus I too feel my spirit has taken a knock back. I still go out walking, but as regards to housework, entertaining etc etc I just cant seem to be bothered.

I definitely disliked seeing myself on screen during lockdown calls. Thank goodness we don’t have to do that any more!

I recently started to look and feel my age, painful stiff neck and shoulders. A trip to a recommended osteopath has made a huge difference. I booked a one hour slot for consultation, treatment and exercise plan. I admit it was a bit gruelling at times but the lovely young man who has not long started his own practice, same age as my youngest son, was so knowledgeable, informative and helpful. He actually complimented me on my strong spine and spent an extra 45 minutes with me since he didn’t have a follow on appointment. He worked on my neck, shoulders, arms and hands. I have been religiously doing the exercises for a week and feel so much better. More motivated too since I am not in pain and can move more easily. Perhaps not so old after all!

I have done more exercising during lockdown. Daily walkasize with core exercises using a dvd has kept me fit and supple. I have also used resistance bands to help my strength. My skin care has been twice daily. Oh and I have lost over a stone in weight.

I agree with most of you, lack of motivation, laziness, lethargy, weight gain and more aches and pains.

I've definitely got more wrinkles and my hair is now white. On holiday in 2019 according to photographs my hair was definitely a mousey blonde.
Also, I loved all my activities before the pandemic, now I can't be bothered with some of them (most of them actually) although I'm still carrying on reluctantly so as not to let people down.

Before the pandemic I used to wear make up every day but since lockdown I have barely bothered even wearing mascara and have even gone out to family get togethers with little or no make up on. Something that was unheard of before!
I look at myself in the mirror, and everything seemed to have gone south and I have the dreaded turkey neck!
Spending quite a lot of time doing online courses means I haven't been getting the excercise I used to, so have put on weight and there is more grey than red in my hair, especially around my face!
Think I will avoid looking in the mirror in the future and just pretend I look about 10 years younger!

One good thing to come out of it is that I’ve got a couple of wigs that I’ve never worn in public. Because I’m not going to the hairdressers as I worry about catching covid there I now feel I have a reason to wear a wig (I know I don’t need to justify it but it’s how my mind works). The downside is I don’t actually go anywhere. But when hopefully things improve I might keep the same mindset.

Yes I have definitely aged more than I think I would have without the pandemic. I am much less fit , more overweight and get tired more easily. I don't think I am the same person I was before.