The forests are full of them. Old age stereotypes of all shapes and sizes dot the landscape of the mind. And they have a negative effect on the way we age. I am in my 70s and have been subjected to them like everyone else who is over 60. Fortunately, I have been able to counter most of them. You can too!
What are we talking about? Here are some common examples. I often hear people say, “Wow, I’m going through an older time,” which is another way of saying that because I’m getting older I automatically forget things. But the person who says this is usually under the age of 50. However, the hook is out there and has been swallowed: when you get old you lose your memory, period. This, of course, is wildly untrue.
I also hear a different version of being a senior on the golf course. When someone hits a short path that hits a concrete sidewalk, and gets a big bounce of an additional 20 or 30 yards, they are said to have gotten a “high-level bounce.” Then look at all the birthday and greeting cards with jokes about getting old and not being able to do much else. And we certainly cannot forget how the younger ones use the older speech with us. You know, that strong sweet cake voice with the condescending tone.
What is the danger of all this if you are a member of the oldest group and you believe it? Many accept stereotypes of aging without realizing it and consequently reduce their activities, become addicted to television, reduce their outlook on life, expect less of themselves, and negatively affect their health. Here’s what you can do to resist the reinforcement that aging is a marked decline and loss of wits.
1. The research is clear. What you think affects the aging process. Every thought you have has a physical effect on a cellular level. When you think negatively, focus on fear or get angry, see what it does to you physically. On the other hand, a positive view of aging can affect quality of life, including memory, and the way you age.
2. Therefore, stop thinking about the old ones. Ignore stereotypes and focus on what you can give to your community and family. Love is the most important coping mechanism to face life. Tell the people you love that you love them. Be part of an enriching community and it will be incredibly difficult for you to grow old. Believe that you are not old until you stop having fun.
3. Any form of energy expenditure can be useful to maintain health. And the research backs this up. A study of 302 people between the ages of 70 and 82 in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that any level of physical activity can prolong life. Keeping moving regularly is the key. Check with your doctor first to see if they have any restrictions for you. Then make the activity part of your daily routines.
4. Use light weights every other day. As we age, we tend to lose muscle mass. You can counter this natural loss with light weight training. Start with 2- to 5-pound weights and 8 reps for the arms and 12 for the legs. Gradually increase to 20-25 for the arms and 40 for the legs.
5. Never stop learning. “Anyone who stops learning is old,” said Henry Ford, “whether in their twenties or eighties. Anyone who continues to learn remains young.” Education about diet, exercise, relationships, and successful aging can make a difference in your health and the way your mind stays sharp. Your choices are vitally important to the quality of life you maintain. You can choose peace of mind and nurture calm every day, or allow yourself to conflict over anything you disagree with.
6. Remember that interpersonal relationships with extended family and other friends are crucial factors for happiness and longevity. Surround yourself with people you love, who are happy, and you will reduce the stress hormones that swirl within you. Stay in touch and don’t be ashamed to develop new friends, regardless of their age. Social connections are just as important as your diet.
7. Be your best friend and don’t be put off by making a mistake. As Buckminster Fuller put it, “The only reason I know so much is because of all the failures I’ve had.” Minimize negative emotions (anger, worry, guilt and depression) that you allow to live in your head and you will strengthen your immune system and increase your longevity. There are many studies that support this approach and will show you how to do it.
So get in touch and strengthen your beliefs in a power greater than yourself that will give you the wisdom to choose and the direction to direct your thoughts toward a greater good. Learn what you can and cannot control and give yourself the benefit of the doubt.
In short, the way you age is essentially up to you. George Vaillant, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard University and a co-author of Successful Aging, put it this way: “An active and happy old age, dear Brutus, may not be so much in our stars and genes as in ourselves.” He should know, having done one of the largest studies of why some people age less troubled than others. So be proactive as you age and let stereotypes remain unfounded, as they always have been.