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The process of aging guarantees wear and tear on the body systems will gradually occur over time. Lifestyle and life events influence this process of senescence in a variety of ways. At all ages, physical health encompasses nutrition, exercise, and bodily functional capacity. Living long and well requires you to decrease your risks for adverse outcomes. Behaviors, lifestyle, and ways-of-being that are not life maintaining, life conserving, and life enhancing disrupt well-being and are analogous to life destruction.
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Utilize your current personal assets and strengths to build synergy and leverage resources of family, care providers, community, and government entities to help make it possible for you to experience a happier, healthier, and productive life.
Strive to gain a clearer understanding of what is personally “normal” aging for you. Gain a deeper insight into the types of diseases, conditions, increased risk and severity that may be particular to you in the context of your genetic background, current health, and chosen lifestyle. What changes do you need to make, NOW, that will allow you to immediately begin to live a better, healthier, holistic life?
Strive to gain a clearer understanding of what is personally “normal” aging for you. Gain a deeper insight into the types of diseases, conditions, increased risk and severity that may be particular to you in the context of your genetic background, current health, and chosen lifestyle. What changes do you need to make, NOW, that will allow you to immediately begin to live a better, healthier, holistic life?
Age-Related Biological and Physical DeclineAging is a multifaceted, complex process where multiple impairments gradually materialize across different body systems. Age is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, decline in organ function, waning strength, and biological senescence characterized by chronic inflammation.
Results of the aging process are often described as decreased physiological reserves and increased vulnerability to corporeal stressors. The biological decline that accompanies aging diminishes physical wellbeing. Age-related changes involve cell integrity, muscle mass, bone density, brain integrity, and gradual loss of vascular homeostasis. |
Holistic Aging and Nutritional Well-BeingThe idea of ‘successful aging’ means different things to different people. Is successful aging a physiological construct limited to optimal physical functioning? Is it a matter of well-being derived from a generalized life satisfaction? Is it delineated by measures of social engagement? Is it retaining mental acuity into your latter years of life? Or maybe it is extrinsic factors such as sufficient personal finances and those personal resources that provide resilience to life’s onslaught.
Understanding successful aging as multidimensional construct that is comprised of a variety of components offers a holistic approach to aging. This allows for the inclusiveness of the diverse dynamics of physical, psychological, social, financial, environmental, educational, and spiritual areas of life. |
Aging and Exercise and Exercise and ExerciseLiving a long life is good. Living a long healthy life is better. Being healthy requires embracing a lifestyle that includes healthy eating habits, enjoyable friends and activities, and regularly scheduled exercise. Getting fit at any age entails a well-rounded exercise routine that incorporates endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility.
Exercise is an integral part of healthy aging. Physical activity is good for the body. Research has shown the benefits of physical activity for the heart, lungs, bones, and brain through an increased delivery of oxygen and ‘feel good’ endorphins. According to the National Institutes of Health, regular physical activity lowers your risk for many diseases, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer by mediating the risk factors associated with illnesses. |