WHY DO WE BECOME OLD?
Ageing is an unavoidable part of every person’s life. One may be unable to keep away from the signs of ageing, but one can definitely ensure that the process of ageing is delayed as much as possible.
We need to look at reasons as to why one may become old. In the milestone study “Successful Aging,” which was sponsored by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, researchers reached to the conclusion that our genes determine 30 percent of the entire process of aging; the remaining 70 percent is determined by lifestyles.

Age sets in because of what we do every day. This means it is necessary to remain watchful of day-to-day activities that one may be engaged in. New breakthroughs in the world of medicine have created the possibility of remaining young for long.

Scientists are working at developing new ways that makes use of surgery as well as new medications that will ensure such positive developments. Nevertheless, this is a thing of tomorrow and one cannot predict what future has in store for us. Therefore, it remains an important priority to search for ways and means of staying young at body and heart. These ways are usually related with our daily lives and routines. As such, we could categorize the reasons for ageing into three broad features.

The Genetic Theory explains that the human body has a “genetic time clock” that is pre programmed to go off. However, scientists have yet not reached to a conclusion about the exact timing and what explanation could be supplied for the variations in these ‘timings’.

What we know, as a case in the point of discussion is that the children of long-lived parents are also inclined towards leading longer lives. We also know that women outlive men and this is a worldwide phenomenon.

On the other hand, some genes can speed up the death of a human being. In recent times, the National Institutes of Health researchers recognized a gene on chromosome number 10 that may be responsible for the late commencement of Alzheimer’s disease, a state of mental health that robs nearly 4 million elderly Americans of their memory. Thus, this theory propounds that how we age and what age the process of ageing will start is very much related to our genes.

The Free Radical Theory is yet one more theory that tries to explain the process of ageing in a human body. Free radicals, which are formed as a consequent reaction to everyday chemical reactions within the body, are more often than not neutralized by antioxidants before they can do permanent damage to our cells.

Vitamin E and vitamin C are considered as anti oxidants. As we age, our body’s capability to create the enzymes that are responsible for producing these antioxidants weakens considerably. This fact was brought to light by researchers who were studying the process of ageing in a human body. Vitamin C is found in citric fruits and is a water-soluble vitamin while vitamin E may need to be consumed artificially.
Our diet is a key supplier of antioxidants. As age sets in, the amount of food that may be consumed typically reduces. Senior citizens are infamously poor eaters. The outcome is that free radicals in the body begin to run amok. To date, they have been touted as the leading cause for more than 20 age-related diseases to set in.

Some of these diseases are heart diseases, cancer, muscular degeneration and Parkinson’s syndrome. To add insult to injury, these free radicals that are in the process of creating a havoc in the body also attack the collagen and elastin fibers which are essential components of connective tissue that keep our skin elastic and firm. The loss of moisture from skin leads to skin sags and appearance of wrinkles.
The Hormonal Theory holds hormonal activities in our body responsible for triggering the ageing process. Hormones are responsible for a number of changes within the human body.

For example, the onset of menstruation or the beginning of puberty is essentially hormone related features. Menopause, andropause, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases are some of the other conditions that are caused by hormones. The beginning of these conditions is partly triggered by the decrease in the level of hormone production. This state begins at the age of thirty and increases, as we grow older.

Hormones like estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and human growth hormone, assist us to maintain vitality and a healthy level of libido. This contributes to the ‘joys of life’. The levels of hormones found in the older population are significantly less than that found in the younger ones. As a result, the older generation becomes vulnerable to a number of ailments that could otherwise have been avoided by a satisfactory level of hormones. The presence of ailments further speeds up the process of ageing in these older adults.

THE SECRETS OF STAYING YOUNG

STAY ACTIVE
Activity can be broadly defined as a state of engaging in some form of action. This activity could be mental, physical or even spiritual. Remaining active is the best way to pass time constructively. It will allow you to make good use of your time while giving you a sense of achievement. Activity could thus actually be defined as an aim oriented task.

If we carefully observe our own lives, we will realize that we act, talk or behave in a particular manner in order to ‘achieve’ something. For example, a student may study during exam times to ‘achieve’ a good score. Thus, human behavior is goal oriented and the attainment of such goals gives a sense of satisfaction to a person.

Activity is designed to cater to such needs of a person. Whenever you want ‘stay active’, you could be thinking about any one form of activity. You may wish to be mentally, socially, physically or spiritually active.

A hobby is a good way to start being active. Hobbies make use of the special ‘gifts’ that one may have. For instance, some people are gifted musicians while others are natural dancers. However, in every case, it is not necessary that a hobby can be translated into a career or a profession. In such a case, the next best way to develop it is by engaging in your favorite activity. This acts as a stress reliever along with giving you an innate sense of satisfaction. Hobbies allow us to connect with our internal self and this in turn gives us a sense of satisfaction. A content and peaceful mind is the key to staying young and happy.

Mental, social, spiritual, and physical activities are all tasks, which are designed to “use it or lose it.” You may be able to find activity in many different aspects of life. Simple mundane activities can also make up for activities. You may take up designing your living room and thus find a hobby in it. If you do not know where to start from, pay a visit to the local library. The library will have many interesting books that will provide food for thought. It will be a form of mental stimulation.

Though you may find that the collection in the library is so vast that you may require an entire lifetime to go through it, a start is just what you need. You can begin by reading the genre of books you find more interesting. What matters is that you occupy your free time sensibly. Do not waste your time and other’s time by complaining about every bad thing that has happed to you. Watching TV and sleeping at odd hours are not considered as ‘activities’.

BREAK AWAY FROM NEGATIVE THINKING
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ATTITUDE

Attitude refers to a state of mind and the way we perceive the world around us. Attitude is what sets apart a successful person from his counterparts. Attitude is in reality a theoretical construct that is a representation of an individual’s likes or dislikes for an item or situations. In fact, attitudes are abstract and cannot be physically defined.

Attitudes can be positive, negative or neutral perceptions of a certain ideas, principles or objects. Attitudes can be thought of as a composition of various forms of judgments. Attitudes are a physiological response towards the happenings around a person that expresses an individual’s predilection for a being.
The behavioral implication is an oral suggestion of the objective of an individual. The cognitive response is a cognitive assessment of the unit to form a particular attitude. One may form an attitude because of the environment that one lives in. Often, attitude is a product of the experiences that one has to endure.

Attitudes manifest themselves as a form of observational skills. One grows up observing a number of things happening around him. These may affect his perception about a particular subject matter or object. Attitudes shape a personality and thus, the overall well being of a person. It is an accepted fact that an attitude is instrumental in aligning a personality either positively or negatively. Personality goes a long way in determining a person’s mental health thus contributing to the process of ageing.

Attitude can also be understood as a type that an individual presumes to achieve an egotistic inclination, whether it is an acceptance, expression of control or other selfish needs. Attitude may be thought about as a primal quality to the protection of the self.

Hatred and anger could be considered as negative features of a person’s attitude. These negative features have a profound effect on the way one thinks and acts. Too much of a negative approach is capable of inducing illness and aging. Therefore, it is extremely important to remain free from negative thoughts.

Though, this is easier said than done, one can make an honest effort towards achieving the same. Rather than dwelling on the pain inflicted in the past, it is a wiser approach to let go of it. It is vain to blame other people for the bad phases in one’s life. This will make you more negative and bitter and will affect your mental health. So, instead of complaining, try to see the positive side of things. If you encounter unexpected rudeness, retaliate with equally unexpected kindness. The results will be dramatic; you will feel happier and the person who has been rude may feel crushed!

You will be able to achieve what you wanted by being nice and courteous; you proved that you are a better person and you did not hurt your internal levels of peace. Attitude could even be thought of as an accumulated pattern of behavior, you can follow these easy steps to better your attitude. It will help you remain ‘mentally happy’ and thus, allow you to stay young for a long time.
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YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

A positive attitude can be developed only if you are fit and healthy. If you do not remain wary of the deteriorations in your bodily functions, the chances of detecting any illness or curing it become slimmer. At the same time, it is also important to delay the onset of any illness that may affect one’s body. For this purpose, a healthy body is very essential. You must make every effort to stay fit, since this will affect the way you perceive things as well. It will help in determining a positive attitude, which will in turn help you stay young for longer.

STOP FEELING GUILTY

Many times, one may be blamed for the misfortunes that one may have to face. The extent to which one is blamed depends on how much someone else may be affected as a result. This gives rise to a sense of guilt that works against our principle of healthy ageing. Everyone makes mistakes, what is important is how well one takes a lesson out of these mistakes. Though guilt in small proportions is essential, a deep sense of guilt will make a person bitter and regretful. This will encourage the formation of a negative attitude and thus, will affect the graceful ageing process.

THE THREE MAGIC WORDS: I LOVE YOU

This sounds like a dialogue out of a movie script, but it is very important to give and receive love. Often, we assume that the people around us will construe our acts of concern as a sign of love. However, we could be wrong in assuming as such. Say that you love and care to the people who mean the most to you. It makes them feel happy and they in turn, will make you happy too. This will help you in building a positive attitude towards life. A positive attitude forms the backbone of good health and thus, helps you stay young for long.

EXERCISE

One of the largest causes for aging quickly is obesity. Many people are falling prey to this lifestyle syndrome and are thus, ageing early. When one wishes to stay young, a thorough regard for bodily health must be one’s first priority. Obesity is one of the leading problems of the times and it makes a human body prone to many ailments. To keep obesity at bay, one has to put in efforts. It is a must to stay fit, and the best way to do this is by exercising daily. The ill effects of lack of exercise can be many.

The first ill effect is a loss of feeling of strength. Sarcopenia is the expression coined by the scientists to illustrate the typical symptoms like loss of muscle, and quality of tissue. This condition is often seen in older adults who have led a life of inactivity.

Some doctors are of the opinion that muscle mass reduces by around 4% per decade between the ages 25 to 50. Lack of physical activity also causes a loss of endurance: As we become old, we may perhaps lose aerobic robustness. This results in a reduced sense of mobility in daily life. Lack of activity affects the flexibility levels in the body. Joints undergo a change with growing age and this can cause stiffness accompanied by a decreased range of motion and susceptibility to joint injuries. Lack of exercise on a regular basis also affects the body’s sense of balance. As one grows with age, one’s capacity to balance the body diminishes and this condition worsens if the person has remained inactive for a long time.

Hospitals see thousands of cases of hip injuries due to falls; a typical accident due to decreased sense of balance. This general loss of strength, endurance, flexibility and balance is not certain, it can be delayed by following some basic principles. The National Institute on Aging advises that when older people lose the ability to do things on their own, it is not because of deterioration in the body’s working, it is also because of prolonged periods of inactivity in their lives.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

If you have been avoiding a fitness regimen, it is high time you start with such a venture. It is never too late to adopt a new habit, but it requires great will power to continue with it. No matter what your age may be, exercise can perk up the quality of your life. You need not even spend a lot of time exercising to feel the good results.

A disciplined approach towards physical activity can help you feel better almost immediately. People who have been used to a sedentary lifestyle even claim that they feel fresh and energetic after one work out session! Like everybody else, senior citizens too need to engage in cardiovascular training, strength training and flexibility exercises to stay in a good physical shape and preserve a good deal of strength and functionality.

In order to begin a daily exercise routine, you must know exactly what an ordinary human body requires as a form of physical activity. Are you searching for a formula that will guarantee youth? Do you wish to age gracefully? Most people when asked about how they would want to age would reply that they would want to grow old retaining their independence and good health. By staying young, one hints at a general feeling of vitality that would far surpass that experienced by the other people of the same age group.

Studies have proven that exercise is important for supporting good health, functional independence of the body, and an improved quality of life in older adults. In an alternate terminology, it may facilitate the slowing of the aging process by thwarting the chances of illness and disability in senior citizens.

Heart disease is one of the chief anxieties that one faces as one ages. Osteoporosis too, is another cause of worry for many elderly people. Exercise is known to reduce the chances of developing either of these diseases. Exercise helps control blood pressure and increases the good cholesterol levels. Exercise also lessens obesity, which is a major contributor to heart disease and diabetes.

Physical activity helps in maintaining the bone density, which in turn prevents diseases like osteoporosis. Thus, by delaying, the onset of two of the most commonly observed signs of age; exercise helps in fighting the ageing process. Most people require two types of exercises to stay healthy.

The first type is the cardiovascular exercise. For the heart to remain healthy, at least 15 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise is recommended. Cardio work out can be carried out at least 3 to 5 times a week while maintaining a heart rate of 60 to 90 percent of one’s maximal heart rate. For beginners, a heavy cardio routine is not recommended. It is always wise to start slow and gradually increase the pace and the time duration of a cardio session.

One good alternative is to join a health club. There you will be allowed access to a range of cardiovascular machines like elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, treadmills and cross-trainers. You can also benefit from the club’s personal training staff, who will guide you with a safe work out routine. One of the simplest ways to exercise is to walk regularly. A half an hour brisk walk is an easy solution to increasing longevity. A favorite with many people is water aerobics, since it is easy on the joints and muscles. Besides being a good cardiovascular activity, water aerobics could be a lot of fun too!

Strength Training is also required as a part of the daily exercise routine. Many people believe that lifting weights is not safe and should be avoided at any cost. However, this is not true. Weight lifting is safe and effective in helping older adults gain the much required strength, balance and bone density. In a study conducted on women aged 50 to 70, the women who engaged in strength training gained 1% more bone density in the hip and spine while the group that did not engage in strength training lost 2.5 % bone density. The sense of balance of the weight lifters improved by 14% and the general physical activity level increased by around 27%.

It is necessary to work all of the major muscle groups at least twice a week. At first, you need to begin with lightweights since your body is not accustomed to heavy weights. You can keep the repetitions to a minimum. Gradually, you must increase both the repetitions and the weight. However, the primary concern while lifting weights is bodily safety. Most of us are not experts who have studied the science of fitness. Therefore, it is advisable to life weights under the able supervision of qualified fitness instructors.

FITNESS FACTS

EVERYONE STANDS TO BENEFIT
Scientists are discovering new information that stresses the importance of exercise for everyone. Exercise can prove to be beneficial for people of all age groups. Staying physically active can put off or postpone the onset of many diseases and disabilities. It has been proven that moderate exercise can improve the overall health of seniors who are weak, or who have ailments that are typical signs of ageing.

STOP BEING AFRAID

Exercise and physical activity help you develop a system that is healthy and better in its functions. It is the key to remaining young for long. However, many people and especially the older adults are afraid of routine workouts. They may be anxious that exercise might prove to be tiring, or that physical activity may cause some harm to their body. However, researchers opine otherwise. They say that exercise is safe for all age groups and those older adults will do their body’s more harm by not exercising.
A dormant lifestyle can be the reason as to why older adults lose their functioning in four areas that are imperative for staying independent: strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility.

INCREASE YOUR LIFE EXPECTANCY

A research conducted on the benefits of exercise for both men and women reported that the life expectancy is directly related to the amount of physical activity in an individual’s life. For men who are 50 years or older, a moderate level of physical activity led to 1.3 years extra in total life expectancy and 1.1 years lived without the signs of cardiovascular disorders.
For women who are 50 years or older, a moderate physical activity routine led to an increase by 1.5 years in total life expectancy, and 1.3 more years without cardiovascular disorders. The study proves that one can ‘add years’ by engaging in some form of physical activity on a regular basis.

DIET AND NUTRITION

This may sound monotonous and repetitive to you, but a balanced diet definitely is very important in deciding the overall health of an individual. A balanced diet ensures a strong immune system thus making the body strong enough to fight the disease causing germs.

Exercise is always complemented by a good diet plan and thus, balanced and ‘manageable’ diets go hand in hand. A crash diet system may give you stunning results as far as weight loss is concerned, but it will prove to be harmful for your system in the end. For one, it will weaken your immune system and secondly, the moment you switch back to a normal diet, you will gain weight quick. Therefore, a diet that has all the required nutrients must be consumed.

It is advisable to eat six small meals a day instead of three large ones. This will keep the blood sugar level in check and will help in maximizing nutrient absorption. Avoid soda, sugar, or hydrogenated oil in the daily food preparations.
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THE POWER OF PETS

Owning a pet has a number of health related benefits. Some doctors who works with elderly people have prefer to have dogs as pets. The doctors claim that having a pet around has a two-fold effect. It keeps them calm and focused and the older patients enjoy the company of these furry animals. Dogs are considered as the ‘new therapists’ by many researchers.

Having a pet around can cure you of loneliness. Loneliness is one of the most harmful risk factors that may aggravate the health conditions of heart patients. Studies have proven that patients who suffer from heart problems but own pets are more likely to have five times the survival rate of the heart patients who do not own pets.

Pets act as companions to their owners and dogs are known to be very loyal friends as well! Another big advantage of owning a pet is that this can stimulate a sense of relaxation in the pet owner. The simple act of petting an animal is known to reduce the blood pressure. In fact, doctors are advising patients suffering from blood pressure to own pets.

The health benefits of petting an animal were brought to light by a study conducted in order to test the effects of pet ownership. Forty-eight stockbrokers suffering from hypertension were enlisted in this study. Twenty-four of them were given a pet while undergoing treatment for hypertension. It was noted that those having pets responded more quickly to the medications and even showed signs of lowered stress. The human- animal bond is truly genuine and thus, has a number of advantages for the pet owner. Pets can be emotional lifesavers for their owners since they help the owners adapt and deal with profound changes in life. The unconditional love of the pets gives the owners a sense of responsibility and a reason to ‘live on’. In fact, they may help people understand the cycles of life better and may thus help them accept the continuity of life.

Dogs as pets especially can promote good-risk mannerisms and conduct. Research illustrates that while walking a dog, owners are inclined to make eye contact and thus interact with more people. Walking is one of the best exercises and people who own dogs will tend to walk more. Having a dog can even affect a person’s moods and temperament.

Forty percent of the people who own dogs find that they can make friends more easily. That camaraderie between humans and their pets is not just reassuring; it is a reason of continued existence. Scientists also say that the evolution of humans from the village days to the current urban age would not have been possible without the companionship of animals.

Having pets keeps people happy at heart and positively affects their perception of life. A healthy perception shapes a positive attitude, which is essential for keeping positive spirits. A positive spirited person is ‘mentally happy’ and thus, considers himself to be young. The unconditional love of pets also helps a person age gracefully.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
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CONTROL YOUR ANGER

Anger is a negative emotion and it will upset your mood. Mood swings affect mental health and a person who is not ‘mentally healthy’ will grow old quickly.

TAKE A HOLIDAY

A holiday will help you relax and connect with your better half. A healthy person has meaningful relationships to bank upon, so take those efforts to make time for your loved ones. A holiday is the perfect way to go about it.

AVOID FATIGUE

Our bodies’ are equipped to take an increased level of activity only for a short duration. Therefore, you must decide how much you can make yourself toil and if you feel you are crossing the limits that you have set for yourself, it is time to act. Stop over working and allow a daily rest pattern to enjoy better health.

SHORT TELOMERES

These are the short little tips at the end of chromosomes and a shortening of these tips may cause problems like memory loss. You need to exercise regularly in order to prevent such things from happening.

INEFFICIENT MITOCHONDRIA

Mitochondria are the power plants in your body and their wear and tear will lead to an ill functioning cardiovascular system. You can increase your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids by eating plenty of fish. Be sure that you broil or bake the fish that you eat and do not fall prey to fried temptations!

LACK OF NITRIC OXIDE

In your body, you have a short-lived gas, which is known as nitric oxide that opens up the arteries. This will ensure a smooth flow of blood to your heart. With growing age, your ability to produce nitric oxide decreases and thus, your blood circulation can be affected. So, learn some deep breathing techniques.

BE OPTIMISTIC

People who discover the tricks of maintaining an optimistic attitude may not only stay away from depression, they may even essentially perk up their physical health. So, stay positive if you wish to be young for long.

MOVE ON IN LIFE

You will go through many good and bad things in life, and these incidents could affect you deeply. What you have to learn is that life goes on; you cannot live in the past. Train yourself to face the harsh realities of life; it will help you become mentally stronger.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

It is the technique of ‘treating the whole person’ and not just the disease. Both doctors and patients alike are opening up to this philosophy since it helps cure the disease much faster. The next time you are down with some disease, ask your doctor for a whole person approach to treating your problem.

ASSESS YOUR PERSONALITY TYPE

You could be either type A or type B personality and you need to know that. People belonging to type A are more prone to stress and thus, the related medical problems. You should make an effort in changing your personality type to B if you are a type A.
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