Smarter Aging reports on the current research about how lifestyle re-programming can actually SLOW DOWN our natural degeneration to get to the end point with optimal enjoyment and the least amount of pain (or none at all). Unlike the commercialization of the term ANTI-AGING, this program pursues a critically different directive - placing paramount emphasis on "SMARTER" actionables. Smarter Aging is AWARENESS about the land-mines and life traps caused by agents of personal decay. It is about how to MOTIVATE oneself on how to RESET into a better life plan.
To clarify, SMARTER AGING is not the same as ANTI-AGING. The core of the anti-aging movement stems from a term has become a commercial vehicle for the production, sale and use of aesthetic products, treatments, or practices to reduce the visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles, age spots, and loss of skin firmness. This is not to disclaim the value of aesthetics, but to promote emphasis on addressing underlying cellular function for health. Not infrequently, these two can coexist.
Another term that needs revisiting is used by many longevity promoters and authors, emphasizing the "curse" of aging as a DISEASE. Though it is a clever wordsmithing opportunity to lift from "DIS-EASE", this association fails in accuracy when it comes to forging solutions. Seeking the alter (counter?) measure of Dis-Ease (meaning a CURE) drives a misunderstanding from this correlation and a pathway that could prove misleading. We cannot REVERSE, HEAL, REPAIR or CURE aging nor can we actually prevent the aging process itself.
Once we have established this base understanding, only then can we pursue SMARTER AGING, whereby setting a course for getting the best SUSTAINABLE and FUNCTIONAL existence possible. This means navigating away from a life of multiple medications, disability and pain by proactively addressing challenges caused by health conditions, bone/muscle changes, cognitive & mental health issues.
To subscribe to SMARTER AGING means MITIGATING the impact of time-based physical wear and tear (and this includes functional, mental, spiritual and social). It also means identifying habits that speed up aging (like too much sitting, inactivity, sugar/ processed foods, excessive screen time and stress etc). We can study and learn from the lifestyle and performance of an 85 year old yogi or a 73 year old marathon runner and gain an understanding of what compels them to support a preventive lifestyle. By comparison, we can recognize what our own road ahead can look like and the many ways that we can RESET or counter-steer (where needed) could make all the difference in how we rebuild our future self- starting NOW!
AGING is a natural process that is associated with biological changes that lead to a progressive decline in physiological functioning. These changes start as early as the mid-20's, and accelerate in the mid-40's and again at around age 60. While aging is inevitable, the rate at which it occurs can be faster or slower depending on multiple factors, including the interactions of genetics with diet, lifestyle, environment, and stress. It is also impacted by resilience.
Without a doubt, everyone will experience aging. It’s a biological process that begins at birth, and it is inevitable. But how we age is not. We are redefining aging, celebrating it as a time of new opportunities, deeper connections, and ongoing learning. It’s a time where we are actively engaging life with joy and purpose.
Healthy aging is not just about keeping disease and disability at bay. While we’d all like to stay as healthy and functional as possible, we can age successfully and gracefully even with less-than-optimal health.
WHAT IS RESILIENCE?
Resilience is the ability to “bounce back” from an adverse event or experience, large or small. This is influenced by biological factors (including genetics) as well as psychological ones, and both forms of resilience can be cultivated. As people with higher levels of biological and psychological resilience tend to experience improved health and quality of life as they age, this heightens its importance for better aging.
Health is created from physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and energetic balance. But balance is not static. It requires constant adjustment in response to changes and challenges in your inner and outer worlds - and often changes throughout your lifetime. Resilience helps you bounce back and regain balance. Here are 8 simple strategies to help you cultivate resilience so you can handle whatever challenges come your way in a way that helps you thrive.
8 Easy Tips for Better Aging Starts with RESILIENCE
By: Roberta Kline MD
Tip #1: EAT RIGHT
Focus on fresh whole foods, with an emphasis on colorful vegetables and low-sugar fruits, fish, poultry, nuts, non-wheat whole grains, and cold-pressed olive oil. Adding herbs and spices boosts your food power. Avoid fried foods, processed red meat, trans-fats, and saturated fats, sugars, sweets, and baked goods; swapping sugar substitutes may be worse than sugars, so avoid those too.
Aim for 150 minutes a week of moderate to vigorous exercises, such as walking, swimming, biking, dancing, tennis, strength training, gardening, or yoga. House cleaning, gardening, and yard work count too! Ideally, it’s something that you enjoy. Moving throughout the day is just as important. If you have a sedentary job, make sure to get up and move at least 10 minutes every hour if you can.
Playing chess, solving crossword puzzles, reading books, and learning a new language or skill are examples of brain-boosting activities. Mixing up your daily routine is another great way to increase cognitive resilience. This can include: exploring new neighborhoods or trying out a new coffee shop.
Identify stressors in your life and reduce or eliminate the ones you can control, and have strategies to manage the impact of the ones you can’t. Tai chi, meditation, music, art, yoga and other exercise, being in nature, finding moments of awe, experiencing joy and laughter - these are just some of the ways that can help you cultivate resilience.
Aim for going to bed by 10 pm, and getting 7-8 hours of restful sleep nightly. Even one night of insomnia or getting inadequate sleep can have an impact on your resilience. If you snore or don’t feel refreshed when you wake up in the morning, consider getting checked for a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.
Having strong social connections - whether a few or many - along with having meaning in our lives, can be one of the most powerful strategies. This does not include social media or other virtual interactions - there is something about the brain that needs interaction with the actual person or people.
Heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, and other chronic health issues can reduce your resilience. Staying proactive in managing all aspects of your health can help increase your resilience and minimize their impact.
Having a sense of purpose and connection to a greater meaning is a fundamental human need. So is joy. Identify things that bring you joy. Find something that gives you a reason to be excited about the day. Purpose doesn’t necessarily mean a grand vision - it can be big or small. Whether it’s through your work, your family, or your community, it’s important to feel you are loved and valued and are contributing to something that is meaningful to you.
Aim for incorporating at least 4-5 of these strategies. They each build on each other, so the more you of these you do, the more resilience you’ll have and the more your health will benefit. Every bit counts. As you take steps to improve your resilience, you’ll also be supporting your overall health of mind, body and spirit - feeling better and having more energy to keep doing the things you love! Start small. But you don’t have to feel overwhelmed - incorporating just one of them into your daily habits helps. Start with the change that feels the easiest first. Then build on your success to incorporate all 10 if you can!
Implementing these strategies can greatly improve your success in developing resilience for better aging.
GO TO PART 3: ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE- A GLOBAL EPIDEMIC
Dr. Roberta Kline reports on age-related dysfunctions of the brain that can escalate in aggressiveness and complexity over time as the victim progresses toward the end of life. ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE (AD) is currently viewed as a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is uniformly fatal. The most common form is termed Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease (LOAD), which primarily impacts people over the age of 65 and is the focus of this article. In addition to its devasting impact on individuals with AD, it has a wide-reaching impact that touches every aspect of our society. But there is hope. (Visit Dr. Kline's full report)
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