People’s general idea of old age has changed radically as advances in medical science and progress in social conditions extended human average life expectancy from 40 years old, a few centuries ago, to 70 years old today.
Aging depends on environmental characteristics, hereditary factors, and lifestyle preferences—care, exercise, good diet and general healthy living. There is no doubt that if people were to live life accordingly, men would void all health stresses because a well-regulated life removes the causes of disease.
Care for Men to Age Well
General care necessary for good health and long life are known and available to anyone truly seeking them.
Feed on fresh foods. Cook fresh foods instead of relying so much on packaged or processed foods, and microwaveable foods. Balanced, low fat, low cholesterol, diet is a major factor in healthy and illnesses-free age. Diets of fruits and vegetables, which are low in calories and high in nutrition, are sensible choices for older people. However, as men and women get older, one must reduce food intake because the stomach burns less and loses its heat with the passing years.
Stay active. Moderate exercises and activities promote healthy muscle mass, metabolism, and neurological conditions. A study from the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine by Youlian Hong, Jing Xian Li, and P D Robinson on “Balance Control, Flexibility, and Cardio Respiratory Fitness among older Tai Chi Practitioners,” indicated that regular physical activity and exercise minimize the changes caused by growing old and could delay biological aging by 12 years.
Exercises for Health and Aging
Aerobic exercises tend to confer the greatest benefits. Aerobics energize men and women physically and mentally. However, other exercises offer the same benefits while being easier for older people to do.
- Aqua aerobics is a non-impact, fun activity that provides same training benefits as low-impact aerobics.
- Brisk walking is an exercise that burns approximately the same number of calories per kilometer as does running.
- Flexibility exercises are stretching activities that keep joints supple and help ward off the effects of arthritis.
- Strength training helps to maintain good posture and sense of balance. This is especially important for the elderly whose risk of falling is greater.
- Swimming is an exercise that works on all the muscles of the body and rarely leads to injury, as it does not stress the joints.
- Tai Chi improves balance and coordination. The movements build muscle strength, relieve the body of physical and mental effects of stress, and promote proper posture.
- Yoga is an ancient discipline that builds flexibility, stamina and breath control.
Focus on strength training to build muscle mass and preserve bone. Make exercise a daily anti-aging activity. Biking, hiking, skiing, and camping vacations are great ways to live healthy and get a change of venue.
Other Secrets to Aging Gracefully
A life of healthy lifestyle makes a big difference in mental and physical aging. As important as diet and exercise are reducing alcohol intake, quitting smoking and losing weight that can lower coronary artery diseases and other vascular problems just as regular exercise beats obesity and sedentary existence.
Care for the aging skin. Aging slows down skin renewal making skin dry, dull, and rough. Therefore, older people must avoid too much sun exposure and use of harsh soaps or skin creams. Use natural skin moisturizers with built-in sunscreen to minimize skin aging.
Keep a positive attitude. Accepting the signs of aging is the most effective wrinkle treatment for an aging skin. A positive approach to aging will assist immeasurably in extending and improving quality of life. Positive outlook can change moods, alter perspectives within minutes.
Laugh a lot. Laughter uplifts mental and physical state. Laughter brings about positive and youthful attitude towards signs of aging. When one feels young, one looks young, too. Laughter is an anti-aging medicine.
Mental Exercise is as important as exercising the body. Men need to continue to learn, to expose the mind to new ideas, to share news and views with others. Memory is like a muscle, the more it is use the sharper it becomes. Travel, read, and be creative.
Sleep well. Sleep is essential to health and well-being. A good sleep encourages cheerfulness and good sense.
Are some people genetically able to live a long and healthy life? Is it within everyone’s reach?
Written in the famous book “Discourses on the Sober Life” by the Italian writer Luigi Cornaro (1468-1566) is the secret to a long and healthful life: To eat and drink only that which agrees with the body. To eat and drink only what the stomach can digest, and to avoid extremes of heat, cold, and fatigue.
Luigi Cornaro said, “Men should live according to simplicity dictated by nature, which teaches humans to be content with little more than necessary to support life, remembering that all excess causes disease and leads to death.”
What’s more, the beauty of aging gracefully is like autumn, colored with sorrow but polished with wisdom and love. General Douglas McArthur, who lived up to age 84, said: “Nobody grows old by living a number of years. People grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin but to give up interest wrinkles the soul.”
Sources
- Aging with Attitude: Growing Older with Dignity and Vitality, by Robert Levine
- Discourses on the Sober Life: How to Live 100 Years by Luigi Cornaro 1993
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