Marie Perry, 65, has stayed young through staying active. As we celebrate Self-Care Awareness Month, we asked for her perspective on taking care of herself.
Marie works full-time as a nurse with Memorial Health Care System, continuing her career of more than 40 years.
She also volunteers with Heart2Heart, volunteers at the hospital where she works, volunteers with Animal Aid and is president of her community’s condo association and in general.
“I don’t know where I get the time,” Marie said, “What I say is just you do what you have to do.”
Always in motion
Marie recently visited one of her adult children and four grandchildren in Alabama and another daughter in Coral Springs.
“She had to go away with her fiance for the day, and I babysat for them. While I was there, I cleaned her house,” Marie said. “She didn’t ask me to. I just can’t sit still.”
She often gets in more steps on her Apple Watch per day than her husband, even if she doesn’t leave the house that day. And even if he makes the extra effort by going on a morning walk and intentionally exercising.
“I don’t sit still. I absolutely don’t sit still. I can’t,” she said. “I want to find productive things to do rather than be nonproductive.”
Maria also plans to support the runners and walkers during the 5K Gran Run this Saturday.
A generational perspective
Marie has always been passionate about working with the elderly population, but volunteering with Heart2Heart is an especially positive experience now that she is midway through her 60s.
She currently volunteers with a senior whose daughter is her age. She can relate to the daughter and speak to the gentleman from a daughter’s perspective. And there are also experiences that she can relate to with him.
“He used to be a ballroom dancer, and I’m taking ballroom lessons. He had a bilateral hip replacement, I had a bilateral hip replacement,” Maria said. “Being older, there’s a lot more to talk about and relate to.”
The key to staying young
What’s the key to all of her energy and staying active even as she ages?
Marie believes it all begins when people are younger. After all, she said, an object in motion tends to stay in motion.
She encourages young people to put down the electronic devices, get outside, get involved and talk to people face to face.
Not only will it make an immediate difference in their lives, it will help them significantly as they get older. Likewise, it’s never too late to volunteer and be an active part of your community.
There’s still time to volunteer for or participate in the 5K Gran Run on Saturday, Sept. 16. Get active and engage in some self care!
