Challenges of Aging in Today’s World

Categories Lifestyle

A man’s life is usually divided into five stages, namely, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. The first four stages of life roll very fast and, before you know it, one starts feeling tired. Old age sets in and one begins to slow down physically, physiologically, mentally, and health-wise.

We have witnessed the elderly in our families declining in physical strength and health. Old age is a period that is accompanied by the loss of job and property, reduced income and a frail physical appearance. It is also a period of social alienation arising from loss of spouse and friends. This may result in frustration, disappointment, dejection, disease and loneliness.

The challenges of old age are made worse by the fast changing lifestyles where the younger family members are engaged in busy lives arising from the pressures and demands of today’s life and probably live far from their aging parents.

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Preparing To Retire Gracefully – Start Early

Categories Lifestyle

When it comes to post-fifties, it all boils down to those who are aging, and those who are aging gracefully. There are those who seem to be getting better and better with age while others are just learning by trial and error.

“The graceful agers aren’t aging better, they’re just aging smarter — and the secret isn’t necessarily in what they’re doing. It’s in what they aren’t doing. And as life expectancy continues to increase across the globe, there’s no time like now to look and feel better” – The Huffington Post.

This post aims to highlight what graceful agers avoid, and gives a few insights as to how to age smart and remain productive and respectable even after retirement.

It is said that “wisdom increases with age”. Scientists all over the world mostly accept that this belief is true. Laura Carstensen, a social psychologist says that “contrary to traditional perceptions, growing old brings some benefits, notably emotional and cognitive stability; she calls this the “well-being paradox.”  Although adults older than sixty five face challenges to body and brain, they have an abundance of social and emotional knowledge, qualities that scientists define as wisdom.

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