"Presently, life surpasses mere existence."
Aging Hero: Reimagining the Concept of Growing Old
Life may be a rollercoaster ride filled with risks, adrenaline, and audacious deeds - but it doesn't stop at 40, 50, or even 60. Our society has a deeply ingrained "cult of youth," but in an interview with our platform, geriatrician Alexander Shustov from City Hospital No.6 in Yekaterinburg, challenged that mindset, urging us to start thinking about aging much earlier.
When you search for "geriatrician," you'd normally find a doctor who treats elderly patients. But, Alexander argues, geriatricians are there to help people prepare for aging and navigate this stage of life. Moreover, it's crucial to start these conversations at 40, not 60, to understand the risks and develop an individualized strategy to combat them.
Healthy At Heart: Battling Age on Your Own Terms
So, what changes as we age, and how do we prepare? According to Alexander, at around 40, nature decides that our reproductive years are over, signaling the beginning of the aging process. The key to reducing the risks associated with aging is taking responsibility for our health and wellbeing.
Can buying a motorcycle extend your youthful years? Sadly, no. Alexander explained that we only have one body, and it's essential to give it the rest and recovery it needs while still having fun and taking risks.
Defining Risk Factors: Knowledge is Power
Fear often sets in when we don't understand the factors at play. By defining and confronting negative factors, we can take control and make informed decisions. So, what affects the aging process and how can we mitigate our risks?
Genetics plays a role in aging, but it isn't set in stone. By being aware of potential hereditary risks, we can make lifestyle choices that help us avoid those pitfalls. It's also crucial to have a clear understanding of our family health history, as this can provide valuable insights into our genetic profile and potential health risks.
Embracing Prevention: Taking Charge of Your Health
Geriatricians are skilled at identifying diseases that arise during our lifetime and finding ways to combat them. By studying the conditions that lead to disease, geriatricians can help move the risk factor scale from 100% to absolute zero. However, it all depends on an individual's willingness to take care of themselves and dedicate time to their health.
Living Longer, Living Better: A New Mindset
The key to a long and active life lies in understanding the value of life beyond overcoming hardships. By focusing on self-care, creative pursuits, and appreciating simple pleasures, we can live a vital and fulfilling life well into our later years.
It's essential to cultivate mindfulness and take an active interest in our wellbeing to ensure we live long and healthy lives. By preparing for aging proactively, starting in our 40s, we can richly enjoy each day and embrace the journey of life.
Sources:- Article- Medical News Today- Mayo Clinic- AARP- US News
- I'm not sure if I'm ready to face the challenges of aging, but geriatrician Alexander Shustov has encouraged us to start the conversation in our 40s.
- As we age, understanding and preparing for potential medical-conditions becomes crucial, and a geriatrician can help navigate this stage of life.
- Embracing the principle of workplace-wellness is essential for combating chronic-diseases that arise during our lifetime.
- Cancer, respiratory-conditions, digestive-health issues, and eye-health problems are all potential risks as we grow older.
- Hearing loss is also a common sign of aging, and it's important to take action early to maintain our overall health-and-wellness.
- Family health history is key in understanding and mitigating our own risks, particularly when it comes to autoimmune-disorders.
- Climate-change and its effects on our health are also factors to consider as we age.
- Mental-health, men's-health, and women's-health are often overlooked aspects of the aging process, but they're just as important.
- Skin-care becomes increasingly vital as we age, as does the management of skin-conditions.
- Therapies-and-treatments play a significant role in managing aging and its associated health problems.
- aged individuals are at a higher risk of neurological-disorders like Alzheimer's and dementia, making ongoing medical care essential.
- Environmental-science plays a part in understanding the causes and effects of aging, particularly in relation to toxins and pollution.
- Financial planning is another crucial aspect of preparing for aging, and options like Medicare are available to help with healthcare costs.
- CBD is being studied as a potential treatment for a variety of aging-related conditions, from chronic-pain to anxiety.
- Leadership and diversity-and-inclusion are essential in creating a supportive workplace-wellness environment for all ages.
- Lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, greatly impact our health as we age and should be carefully considered.
- Fashion-and-beauty choices can also have an impact on our health, particularly when it comes to skin-care and cosmetics.
- Food-and-drink choices, particularly those high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, can contribute to a variety of aging-related health problems.
- Wealth-management is important in planning for a secure future, particularly in regards to eldercare expenses.
- Home-and-garden maintenance can also play a role in supporting good health and wellness, particularly in terms of air quality and safety.
- Businesses can contribute to workplace-wellness by offering programs and incentives focused on health-and-wellness, career-development, and personal-growth.
- Pursuing careers in fields like health-and-wellness, education-and-self-development, or personal-finance can provide opportunities to help others as they age.
- Building and nurturing relationships is important for a fulfilling life, regardless of age.
- Pets can offer companionship and emotional support during the aging process.
- Travel is a valuable experience for understanding different cultures and ways of life as we age.
- Car maintenance is important for ensuring safety, particularly for older drivers.
- Education, both formal and informal, is key to understanding the challenges and opportunities that come with aging.
- Personal-growth is an important aspect of living a full and meaningful life as we age.
- Career-development opportunities can provide new challenges and stimulation, helping us to continue growing and evolving.
- Sports, such as baseball, hockey, golf, basketball, racing, tennis, and mixed-martial-arts, can offer physical and mental health benefits, as well as opportunities for camaraderie and socialization.
