Statistics tell us that the number of people over 100 years old is increasing. So we can ask ourselves the following question: what can we do to reach older ages in better condition? In short, what are the keys to aging healthily?
Different factors act as keys to answering this question: the genetic heritage of each individual, the lifestyle habits we adopt, and the social environment in which we live.
Seven keys to healthy aging
Today we live much longer than our ancestors. According to the World Health Organization ( WHO ), our life expectancy is increasing, due to personal habits, living conditions, and advances in medicine and pharmacology.
The importance of genetics
Having good genes is a decisive factor when it comes to our resistance to contracting diseases. If there is no history of hereditary diseases in our family and our ancestors have died when they were already elderly, genetics will play in our favor.
A good genetic history increases the possibility of living longer, having a better bone structure, having smoother skin, and even having greater emotional control that pushes us to behave in a certain way.
Not all of us age at the same rate
Biological age does not always coincide with chronological age. For example, at school alumni reunions we can observe how the passage of time has been kinder to some of our classmates.
Aging is a personal experience influenced by external and internal factors that condition our way of life and will mark our old age. The result is reflected in our physical appearance, but also our emotional state.
Healthy eating and other nutritional needs
The diet should be healthy and balanced. Unless our family doctor “forbids” us from certain foods, it is best to eat a variety of foods with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, carbohydrates: cereals, bread, pasta or rice (wholegrain is better), dairy products, and fish. Less fat, sweets, and industrial pastries.
Physical exercise. Get moving!
It is never too late to start exercising and avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Strength, flexibility, and balance are the three pillars on which our health is built: by taking care of them we increase the probability of aging more healthily.
The habit of walking, dancing, or practicing a specific sport helps us maintain an adequate body weight, reduces the risk of diseases such as diabetes or hypertension, strengthens self-esteem, and increases the feeling of personal well-being.
Hygiene and physical appearance
Good personal hygiene is essential for healthy aging. Cleanliness and hydration are the main objectives. Daily showering, hair care, oral hygiene, and the appearance of our clothes directly affect our image.
Taking care of your physical appearance increases self-esteem and reinforces the attitude of self-care. Let’s not forget that the image we show to others is our letter of introduction.
Social life. Out and about!
Retirement, the departure of children, or the death of friends or family members can lead to a lonely life and, in many cases, cause social isolation.
Staying active, signing up for courses or workshops, belonging to an association, or attending a meeting center, provides well-being, improves self-esteem, and helps us age healthily.
Mental activity
Practicing number games, crossword puzzles, memory tests, etc. are simple techniques that help us exercise and tone our brains. The desire to continue learning, carry out intellectual activities, or be encouraged to experience new achievements keeps our mental capacities alive until very advanced ages.
In some ways, to keep our cognitive abilities in good shape we have to exercise them as if they were a muscle.
“Growing old is like climbing a great mountain. As you climb, your strength diminishes, but your gaze is freer, your vision broader and more serene.”
-Ingmar Bergman-