On Aging
How to age gracefully
“Getting old is not for sissies!” Years ago, I saw this assertion on a poster at a fitness facility, and back then I didn’t give it much thought. Fast forward to 2023. I am now in my 60’s and, well, I get it now. It takes effort to stave off or delay the inevitable effects of aging on our body and mind.
I have always told myself that I want to grow old with dignity, to not fight the inevitable with cosmetic interventions. I even stopped coloring my hair because I wanted to be ok with having silver hair (I never regretted it!). But it isn’t easy trying to grow old gracefully in a society that values youth above all things.
Of course, there is actually a lot more to aging than getting gray hair and wrinkles. Scientists have identified four different types of aging, or “ageotypes”. Apparently, the body ages at different rates, what doctors call “chronological vs. biological aging. For example, a chronologically 45-year-old individual can have a 55-year-old liver but biologically 35-year-old skin, meaning while this person has only celebrated their 45th birthday their liver resembles that old someone aged 55 while their skin looks like that of a 35-year-old. Wow!
These effects are often, but not exclusively, the result of lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking alcohol, diet, etc. However, the ageotype insight also shows that people are predisposed to aging in different ways, i.e. with some parts of their body aging faster or more slowly than others.
So far, four distinct ageotypes have been identified with more likely to follow. The research in this area is ongoing and promising in terms of people’s ability to learn their specific ageotype and use that information to best manage their health and understand what their body needs as it gets older. This knowledge may then help people make lifestyle plans to address the way their body is aging. Ageotypes may also unlock new ways to treat chronic issues to help people extend their health and vitality. Now that’s pretty cool!
We already know that taking care of your health is key to aging “well” physically. But what about psychological and social aging? Our social and emotional life changes as we get older. Studies show that depression is the greatest influencing factor in healthy aging, and that people with a supportive network of family and friends live life with a broader purpose and report a better sense of wellbeing.
So, what are some of the things we can do to age “well” physically, psychologically and socially? Here are some recommendations from Baylor College of Medicine:
Exercise 3-5 times weekly
Eat a low-fat diet and maintain a recommended weight level
Keep your blood pressure within normal range
Don’t smoke and consume alcohol in moderation (no more than 1-2 oz./day)
Cope effectively with stressful events
Have a circle of friends with whom you socialize frequently
Save enough money to be comfortable in your old age
Maintain a positive self-attitude about your own aging
Be future oriented
Remain active in learning new things
I would add another factor, and that is acceptance.
“Conscious aging” accepts aging as an inevitable part of life, but choosing to age gracefully. “Conscious aging” might be countercultural in a country with a billion-dollar anti-aging industry. There is this sense that as we get older, we become less valuable or even irrelevant. It is important to find the balance between accepting that we are getting older without succumbing to the cultural beliefs of who we should be at age 50, 60, 70 and beyond. Conscious aging positively affects our physical, mental and emotional health.
Here are 5 ways to make aging easier:
Practicing self-acceptance. Take your power back by making choices that are authentic to you.
Living with a sense of purpose. The key to conscious aging is having a sense of purpose, whether it’s a career, volunteer position or hobby.
Making friends with people of all ages. Having a broad range of friends is really helpful.
Prioritizing learning. Audit a college class or pick up a new hobby. The key is to keep your mind engaged by trying new activities and learning about different topics.
The takeaway: While getting old(er) is inevitable, the way we choose to navigate it isn’t. So, Ladies, dance like no one is watching, laugh out loud, sing, be silly, spend time with friends, learn new things, and continue to add to your bucket list, because as Yogi Berra said: “It ain’t over till it’s over!”
Sources: https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/conscious-aging-how-to-accept-and-enjoy-life-at-every-stage
https://www.harvardpilgrim.org/hapiguide/the-4-types-of-aging/