China News Service, Jinan, February 15th: "Silver-haired people" in the new era are more fashionable and fun-loving: there is a "miracle" to break the "social island"
Author Li Mingrui Sun Tingting
Trendy cool, dopamine, endorphins... Chen Yuelin, the 91-year-old founder of the Sunset Sky Dance Volunteer Service Music Troupe in Jinan, Shandong Province, has many labels that are inconsistent with her age. Sitting in front of the drum kit in the "C position" of the stage, holding drumsticks and pedaling, she performed the undefined elderly life of "silver-haired people" in the new era.
Chen Yuelin rehearses. Photo by Li Mingrui
In 2006, 73-year-old Chen Yuelin gathered his retired partners to form the Sunset Sky Dance Volunteer Service Band music group. He led the entire band to rehearse weekly and participate in charity performances across Shandong to demonstrate the "dopamine" energy of "silver-haired people".
"Live until you are old and learn, and go out and get active. This is my life creed." Chen Yuelin said that she has never felt that age is a limitation. Going out of the house to participate in activities with band partners can not only exercise, but also Pursue your dreams, make like-minded friends, and break down social barriers among the elderly.
The rehearsal scene of the music group of the Sunset Sky Dance Volunteer Service Team. Photo by Li Mingrui
"Since joining the orchestra, my retirement life has become more colorful. Every time I 'play' with my 'old partners' in the orchestra, it feels like I have returned to my youth again." Trumpeter Zhang Xianjue, who has been in the orchestra for 16 years He told reporters that the charm of "playing music" with friends in the orchestra lies not only in enriching his retirement life, but also in opening himself up and establishing warm and real "links" with others and society.
Yang Qi, who joined the band in 2023, is the youngest "sister" in the band. In an interview with reporters, she said that she was lucky to join this big family and that her brothers and sisters in the band took good care of her. "In this big family, I have seen the 'silver-haired people' of the new era who refuse to accept old age and strive to pursue a youthful physical and mental state. Everyone in the orchestra lives a meaningful and fulfilling life after retirement. I can deeply appreciate the happiness brought by 'endorphins'. At the same time, I also hope to live a different and exciting life like my brothers and sisters in the second half of my life."
The rehearsal scene of the music group of the Sunset Sky Dance Volunteer Service Team. Photo by Li Mingrui
According to data previously released by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, at the end of 2023, China's population aged 60 and above was 296.97 million, accounting for 21.1% of China's total population, of which 216.76 million were aged 65 and above, accounting for 15.4%. With the deepening of aging, the life happiness of the elderly has received increasing attention.
"After the elderly retire, the pace of life and the environment have changed." According to Xu Qiuxiang, deputy director of the office of Jinan Mental Health Association and a national second-level psychological counselor, the elderly in the new era should keep pace with the times and adapt to the new situation. lifestyle to achieve a sense of happiness and contentment.
Xu Qiuxiang suggested that the elderly can break down social barriers by maintaining an optimistic and peaceful attitude, finding things they like to do, and maintaining basic social skills, such as participating in various social activities. At the same time, she also reminded the elderly to maintain appropriate exercise, pay attention to a reasonable diet, know how to self-regulate, and actively seek help when necessary. "I hope all elderly people will also remember to be 'rarely confused' and break the 'social isolation'." (End)