living bridge

Thursday 8 January 2009

TIPS FOR AGING GRACEFULLY










TIPS TO AGE GRACEFULLY

Aging is a inevitable biological process wherein the cell replenishment is not keeping pace with cell death changing the anatomical fair complexion to a wrinkled skin, defective vision, hearing and worse of all memory loss. We all know it . Then why try to mask the anatomical aging with cream, cosmetic surgery, botox injection etc.. Will it reverse or stop the aging? To age gracefully one should accept their age and adapt a life style suitable to their age rather than trying to improve their external look. Further aging is not synonymous with disease .Young adults want to become elderly, get married raise their children and when they get to the age of 40-45 they take U turn and want to become younger dyeing the hairs, wearing Bermuda shorts and so on. What a comedy of age. If your thinking, words, and action are in tune with your conscious mind then your body language will be more attractive irrespective of your grey hair or false teeth
The cell division and replenishment are influenced by the inherited gene and the environment. We have no control over the gene. On the other hand we can to a certain extent control the environment for a healthy aging by taking care of diet,exersise, and keeping our mind active with reading,hobbies,indoor or outdoor games, social service and above all prayer and meditation.

DIET FOR HEALTH

Anti aging diet should begin before the symptoms appear say by the age of 40.

What sort of diet should we have to delay the aging process?

Rich fat and carbohydrate diet produce free radicals which cause the cell death and delay the replenishment should be avoided
High acidic foods like deep fry, oily masala foods, and wayside fast food with added toxins also produce free radicals.
Diet rich in antioxidants, fresh fruits, green vegetables, nuts, green tea, olive oil, containing omega 3 fatty acid protect from free radicals.

Fresh carrot, tomato, bracoli, lettuce, apple, orange, beetroot
.





Green tea contain polyphenol which helps to lower the cholesterol, weight, blood pressure,.
The Epigallocatechin gallate {EGCG} present in the green tea deactivate the carcinogens.

Japanese green tea making



Dark chocolates, vitamin C and E also reduce harmful effects of free radicals.
Orange, amla provide vit.C, nuts and seeds provide vit.E
Minerals like selenium zinc etc are plenty in onion, garlic, whole grain.
Flax seed oil, olive oil provides Essential fatty acids.
We have to drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day .if you wait till thirst develops then you are already dehydrated.



Benefits of calorie restriction:
Increase in learning ability
Sharper and clear mind
Better sugar control
Less oxidative process
Less osteoporosis

EXERCISE:
Aerobic endurance exercises which increase the pulse and breathing rate
are essential for the circulatory and respiratory systems. Out door walking at brisk space
for about 5k.m covered in about 30 mins is preferable to indoor treadmill.

Muscle strengthening exercises build the bone density and helps to prevent osteoporosis.

Stretching exercises like yoga helps to maintain the balance, with flexibility to avoid injuries

KEEPING YOUR MIND ACTIVE AND ENERGETIC:

The brain is learning machine and like all machines it needs to be continually maintained
With regular mental workout like solving a crossword puzzle, suduko,hobbies social interaction
Games etc.

Now is the time for you to take new activities you have longing to do after retirement.
Make an effort and enjoy whatever you are doing which gives a fuller and enjoyable life.
We have faced many challenges, problems in life which has made us more wiser, accomadative, and compassionate to fellow humans..
We may be aged but not useless spending time in the rocking chair as conjured by the society. Who is the society to label us as useless it is for us to decide to live a life for ourselves for we have lived all these years for others..

WHEN SOMEONE TELLS ME THAT I AM TOO OLD TO START TO START A NEW PROJECT
I START IMMEDIATELY.{PICASSO]

WHEN YOU DO WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO GIVES IMMENSE PLEASURE.. SUIT THE ACTION TO THE WORD AND THE WORD TO THE ACTION {W.SHAKESPHERE}
Becoming wiser, compassionate and contended is the reward as we age.
Each and every day is not a carbon copy of yesterday or an almanac for tomorrow.

GETTING ALONG WITH PEOPLE:
To maintain a cordial relationship with family members, friends, neighbours, it is not just enough to say hello, thank you etc. To have long term relationships inculcate the art of listening. Your body language and voice message should synchronize to convince the listeners..
Enjoy the companionship of friend who has interest in the world around us.
Always maintain the friendship of an old friend for they are like old wine.
It is also important to develop new acquaintances as we age or else we find ourselves
Left alone.

Good friendship is a great asset wherein you can share your sorrow and happiness. Laughing with him takes away your fear, and infuses a sense of self esteem.

Don’t judge the actions of children in a hurry and advise them. Advise only when asked for and don’t insist on implementing it. When your feelings are hurt take time, critically analyze and give your opinion in simple language so that you retrain you long term friendship
.
“IF YOU ARE IDLE BE NOT SOLITARY, IF YOU ARE SOLITARY BE NOT IDLE’ [BOREWELL]

Don’t just sit around and mull over the past and your existence, then you are asking for age related illness, depression, loss of cognitive function etc

BIOLOGICAL CLOCK:
After retirement we are free to do what we want to do rather than what we have to do.
But stick to a biological clock for your waking time, morning walk, yoga, meals, and meditation, game, sleep etc,

To remain intellectually healthy be curious about the happenings around the world. Ask questions yourself as to why to day be age of terror, war, and not the age of peace . Have healthy
Discussion with friends regarding the news in the paper.

These food for thoughts and discussions are healthy booster for the brain thereby delaying the atrophy, avoid depression, loss of cognitive function.