Jennifer Garner spoke candidly about her outlook on aging and how she’s embracing life in her fifties in a new interview with People Magazine.
The Family Switch actress, 51, who is often praised for her natural beauty and relatability on social media, emphasized the “gift” of growing older, thanks to her positive mindset.
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Jennifer Garner Gets Candid About Seeing Aging As 'A Gift' And Looking To Older Women As Examples Of 'Graceful' Aging
"Honestly, mostly, I am grateful just to be alive," Garner told the outlet, adding that she also has "moments" where she looks back on her life and choices she made. Even still, she stressed the importance of looking forward and taking inspiration from other women in her age group and older.
"I'm grateful for the wisdom that I've gleaned out of these years and really grateful to be able to watch other women go through this process of life so gracefully," the 13 Going on 30 alum continued.
The Neutrogena brand ambassador also noted that she looks to older women "to follow in their footsteps and tell other young women, 'Take care of yourself, but don't be scared. Aging is a gift.'"
The Adam Project star also shared that maintaining a self-care routine is crucial for her well-being, and that exercising "every day" plays a vital role in maintaining her "mental health."
In addition, the mom of three said she eats "really well," and credits her radiance to having a "really strong family and strong relationships in my life." Garner and longtime boyfriend John Miller are no strangers to the gym, and often photographed exercising together.
Garner, who shares three children (Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12) with ex husband Ben Affleck, also pointed out that she permits herself to "have down days." The Golden Globe winner went on: "I don't try to be Pollyanna all the time and I'm gentle with myself."
While Garner has clearly made her personal health a priority, for her upcoming birthday this month, she said she intends to focus on the well-being of others and broaden her perspective beyond herself. "Every year I do something that I love to include people in that feeds me," Garner added. "Last year I went to a park in L.A. and planted trees with my kids. One year we loaded backpacks up to give kids food to take home with them after school."
The Once Upon a Farm co-founder continued: "I know what I'm going to do this year, and it's coming together. To me that day is about: How am I going to look outside of myself? How am I giving back to the world that gives me so much?"
