This is a complex but important subject. Not least because a major aim of positive ageing is to remain capable of continuing activities that matter to us.

And my answer to the question was that I believe we need an energetic mind.

Now obviously, there are people who are so full of physical energy they’re bouncing off the walls.

But for most of us, even if we were once like that, it’s a distant memory.

These days, we require mental energy to get us going.

Also, we have to accept that we must participate in energetic activities if we want to feel more dynamic – because the weird thing about energy is that, somehow, you get more of it by using it.

And the brutal truth is, that if you wait till you feel you have plenty of energy before doing anything, you’ll probably wait a long time.

I’m not saying we never run out of energy when we’re active. But generally, when we talk ourselves into doing something requiring physical effort, we end up feeling livelier than we did before we began.

I’m sure we’ve all experienced situations when we’ve been feeling apathetic, but have made ourselves take a brisk walk, or continue with some woodwork........

© Norwich Evening News