When one thinks about aging with strength here’s a short list of the basics that continually show good efficacy.
- Exercise consistently with resistance training a must
- Eat a whole foods diet with adequate bioavailable protein
- Get regular sleep, key components consistency and regularity
- Manage your stress and relationships
- Have a support group and or community to tap into frequently
- Spend time outdoors and get sunshine naturally when available (Don’t Burn)
Something that doesn’t get talked about enough IMHO and should be on everyone’s list.
Keep working if you possibly can, no matter what your “retirement age” is.
If you don’t like your current or past job, find a volunteer project or group to satisfy challenging your brain on a regular basis. Let’s dive into some reasons why this could be a crucial piece to aging vibrantly.
Within aging and longevity research fields, loneliness and isolation are topics of grave concern. According to this article by Forbes over 14 million adults in the US live alone. Not all suffer negative consequences however “Both are linked to decreased physical and mental health, as well as increased mortality.”
Individuals who for one reason or another do not function well when socially isolated or removed from their previous supportive communities. Case in point the high rise of depression throughout the Covid lockdown period. According to Grok, (which is so much better than Google), there was a 24% increase in 2020 in depression from previous year. We see ongoing effects across many age groups post pandemic.
There are a host of reasons one ends up finding themselves alone beyond governmental regulations like mandated lockdowns. Divorce or just lack of a long-term relationship, the death of a partner or spouse and or in younger years enjoyed the independence but with later years demonstrate signs of decline hampered by minimal contact with humans and low levels of brain stimulation.
Work whether paid or voluntary is a fantastic tool to stay embraced in a community. One is exposed to daily regularity and human interaction. Even though many individuals might be involved in virtual work, you are still encountering other people to keep you mentally challenged and energized. Thus, it becomes more difficult to distance and withdraw into your own closed environment.
Historically we’ve been a nation to applaud and praise the new, innovative and “young” physical body. While we do see signs of this paradigm shifting, experience, knowledge and a willingness to positively contribute to team efforts should not be overlooked simply by an age statistic. From the employer side, making your teams age diverse offers a unique level of problem-solving skills with each age group presenting a totally different perspective.
As an individual the challenge is not to succumb to the pressure that you “should” retire. If you’re unhappy in your job and or not feeling supported, by all means look for something else. Retire and find a volunteer project to light your passion.
If you like your job but feel the need to “do less” ask about part-time, consulting and or a mentor position. Realize your years of expertise are of value and in many cases impossible to replace. Sure, AI is there for all the technology buffs but look to areas that still need and thrive on human interaction and value the “art” of true experience.
Additionally, putting yourself in a “learning environment” can really help support brain enhancement as a longevity tool. I’ll share my own personal experience which I credit our parents for inspiring education at any age as well as my long-time mentor and dance professor Mary Strow, who herself changed careers and continues to inspire new learning.
Brief story: Don’t be afraid to take a risk and learn something new.
At age 40
Facing the end of my long 30+ year professional dance career, my alma mater Indiana University offered me the chance to get a master’s degree in exchange for the role of visiting professor in modern dance. I was able in this process to obtain a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology, a long-time passion of mine in understanding the intricacies of the science of the moving body.
I accepted. This in many ways was extremely risky. I had been dancing professionally since the age of 16, had no real experience in scientific research and little to no computer skills. Education had made a huge leap from when I was there at a much younger age, and it was a huge learning curve for me to do all my research and learn how utilize a computer (I know that sounds like the dark ages now). Luckily my discipline and study habits acquired both as a child and as a professional dancer severed me well.
At age 50
Age makes one ponder. After many years running a successful worksite wellness business and Pilates studio owner (with my amazing partner) I wondered, what next. We had numerous business contacts and before I knew it was talking to the University of San Francisco about their Executive MBA program. Once again thrown into a situation which was completely outside the norm of my fellow students. All of whom worked for major companies like IBM, Medtronic, Deloitte Consulting, Healthcare Institutions, and other major corporations.
Long story short this was one of the most intense periods of my life. Working fulltime and in an 18-month weeknight and weekend executive MBA program. I was by far the oldest in my class and never for one moment felt that was a diminishing factor, incredible colleagues, sadly two of whom are no longer with us. RIP Jim and Ray.
At age 60
Being fully immersed now in the metabolic health coaching sector along with worksite wellness consulting, needed a new challenge. Submitted my application for the Nutrition Network’s inaugural Coach Practitioner™ Program. A chance to challenge my years of coaching and gain some more recent updated scientific knowledge. In addition to this certification I acquired the MPH, Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners Certification, a leader in the metabolic health space.
At age 70
Well since I’m 67 that one is TBA.
Final note
This is not a trajectory for everyone. Maybe I inherited some of our father’s drive for education and learning. A young Marine who took advantage of the GI bill. For his four years of service in WW2 he received four years of education and managed to get a bachelors and masters in four. Tough, determined and believed education would help him and his family achieve beyond their means.
This is a long way of saying keep your brain active. Put yourself in situations to be challenged. Getting old is not about stepping down but about leading forward.
P.S. I thank Ovadia Heart Health for embracing a “mature individual” as an integral part of the team.
