We often associate old age with physical pain and other difficulties. However, it is possible to achieve healthy aging that allows us to live this stage fully.
In Western culture, there is a fear of reaching this stage of life, but in some Asian countries, old age is perceived as a stage full of wisdom, opportunities, and special virtues.
In general, the arrival or presence of old age should not alarm us but rather motivate us to look for tools that allow us to enjoy this stage in the best possible way.
What is healthy aging?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), healthy aging is defined as a process to promote and maintain a person’s functional capacity, which allows them to enjoy well-being during their old age.
“Functional capacity consists of having the attributes that allow all people to be and do what is important to them,” adds the world body. In this regard, Guatemalan geriatrician Jorge Eduardo Bran indicates that the term not only focuses on the absence of diseases but also on the ability to remain active even when suffering from chronic conditions or disabilities.
According to Bran, each person ages differently, as this depends on multiple factors linked to their physical condition, their family environment, and their cognitive abilities, among others.
Likewise, Guatemalan geriatrician Ana del Carmen Marroquín believes that aging is inevitable and part of life. To have healthy longevity, she stresses the importance of maintaining a good lifestyle in childhood, youth, and adulthood. This requires a healthy diet, avoiding addictions, exercising, cultivating healthy relationships, and other desirable practices.
Factors that influence aging
There are risk factors that can negatively impact the aging process. Among them, Bran mentions the following:
- Hormonal changes
- Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, etc.
- Eating unhealthy foods: Junk food can slow down the body and this has repercussions on health.
- Addictions
- Lack of exercise
- Social isolation
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Poor diet
- Inter alia
How to age healthily?
Geriatricians offer these recommendations for healthy aging:
- Bran and Marroquín agree that exercise is vital for healthy aging. Maintaining regular physical activity strengthens cardiovascular health and prevents certain chronic diseases. However, exercise must be adapted to each person’s condition.
- Eat a healthy diet by eating a balanced diet and cutting down on sugar. If you have questions about how to improve your diet, you can consult a specialist.
- Practice mental gymnastics: reading, playing board games, learning new things, etc. This reduces anxiety and depression levels, says Bran.
- Cultivate good social interaction with the people around you, especially through intergenerational relationships.
- Get seven to nine hours of sleep to repair cells and improve your cognitive processes.
- According to Bran, it is necessary to control chronic diseases with the help of appropriate medical advice for a healthy aging process.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco consumption, as they can cause oxidative stress.
- Attend regular medical check-ups after age 45. Go at least three times a year.
- Maintain a positive attitude toward the aging process. Both specialists mention that the mental and emotional aspect has a considerable impact on the quality of life.
- Adopt preventative practices: take care of yourself from falls, complete required vaccination schedules, and implement home security, among others. Interaction with pets, especially certain breeds of dogs, is also recommended, according to Bran.
If you find yourself in this period of life, health specialists recommend not considering this a barrier, but rather a normal stage in life that can be enjoyed to the fullest.