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Backwards
Over the past couple of months I have noticed some changes in myself. Let’s see, how can I describe them? I know, I feel as though I have been “aging backwards”.
While I am 65 and have 2 grown children, my husband and I are raising a child who is now 14. She has 2 sisters who live on Long Island with their dad. 3 years ago she and I planned a trip to visit them. In planning the trip and thinking about how we would get around, I knew that we would Uber. You see, at that time I could not have imagined driving on the streets and expressways that are New York City. Just the thought of this brought me anxiety. I lived in Manhattan while in my 20s, so I knew that it was not an overall “fear” of city or highway driving.
This trip was different. I had absolutely no stress about driving and keeping up with 3 girls as we went to an amusement park, a water park and generally explored where we were!
As summer vacation is coming to a close I wanted to give my daughter one more adventure and decided to take her and her friend to Universal Studios in Orlando. While there are some older people at Universal, we are few and far between. We had a wonderful day! I didn’t think of it as we were moving from ride to ride, however, as we were waiting in line for the infamous Harry Potter ride, I remembered going there with my niece, who was, at the time, 14. I had my pedometer watch on, but wasn’t paying any attention to it. As it got to be around 5:00 I literally stopped in my tracks. I could not walk another step. I needed to sit and knew that I was in a lot of pain and exhausted. I remember checking my pedometer and had walked 6 miles. At the end of the day, I had walked 8.5 miles and felt great!
What had happened? Rather than not acknowledging my age or finding another way to do all that it takes to raise an amazing 14 year old girl, I chose to “age backwards”. This post is about understanding aging so that you can also AGE BACKWARDS.
Understanding Aging
Across the world, people are living longer lives than before. Aging is a natural process that everyone goes through, but it affects people differently. Quality of life as we age can vary greatly.
Questions About Aging
Are all parts of aging inevitable? Aging involves changes like wrinkles and reduced mobility, but their severity can differ.
Can we do anything about aging? Scientists explore ways to potentially reverse aging or slow it down.
What Happens As We Age?
As we grow older, our bodies accumulate damage at the molecular and cellular levels. This accumulation is what causes aging. Signs of aging include graying hair, wrinkles, pain and decreased strength and balance. Other changes affect senses like touch, vision, and hearing, and memory can also decline.
Factors Influencing Aging
Various factors influence how we age, starting from development in the womb. Genetics, physical health, and environment all play roles. Some people accept these changes as part of getting older, but there are ways to reduce their impact and even reverse some.
My aging process is completely different than my mother’s. Unfortunately hers was the same as her mother’s as she accepted alzheimers and dementia. I don’t give those a single thought.
Is Aging Backwards Possible?
Recent scientific advances suggest that our biological age—how our body functions—can differ from our chronological age—how many years we’ve lived. Techniques like DNA tests show this difference, offering insights into our health beyond just years.
Achieving Healthy Aging
To age well, it’s crucial to maintain overall health:
Exercise regularly
Eat a balanced diet
Avoid smoking
Get enough sleep
Stay socially connected
Keep mentally active
Manage stress effectively
Practical Steps for Aging Backwards
Exercise Consistently: Regular physical activity helps maintain muscle mass and overall health. My go to form of exercise is Pilates and I also go the gym.
Improve Sleep Hygiene: Good sleep is crucial for mental and physical well-being.
Manage Stress: Chronic stress can accelerate aging, so it’s important to find ways to reduce it.
Strong Social Connections It takes effort to learn about a new person or make a new connection, but it’s very important to both physical and mental health. Think of it as a workout for your soul, your happiness and your brain health.
Future of Aging Research
Scientists are studying aging closely through geroscience, exploring how aging impacts diseases. They hope to develop treatments that complement lifestyle changes to extend healthy lifespans.
While we can’t stop aging entirely, we can make choices that improve our health and possibly reverse some effects of aging. By staying informed and proactive about our health, we can enhance our quality of life as we age.