You’ve bound to have heard a misconception or two about aging and being “old” before. It’s a shame because aging is so much less intimidating than it seems to be. Myths about aging are problematic in how they lead to so much worry and anxiety over what life is like when you reach your mature years. As the years pass, learning more about aging will ensure that you age healthily both in body and mind.
“Genetics Decide Whether I Age Healthily.”
While there is some truth to this statement, genetics are not the end-all-be-all of your health as an older adult. It’s a terrible statement to make, especially since it’s not true and all it does is lead to a feeling of hopelessness or inevitability towards aging.
In fact, the longevity of your health is mostly determined by your lifestyle choices, which is something you do have control over. Taking ownership of your life by making positive choices such as limiting alcohol and tobacco or exercising goes a long way to achieving health into your golden years.
“I’ll Eventually Become Frail like All Other Elderly People.”
It’s not guaranteed that you’ll become weak in your senior years. The stereotypical image of a frail elderly person is harmful and creates aging-related paranoia, especially when there are elderly folks around us that are in great shape. There are various ways to prevent a weak body and poor health as a mature adult. Behaviors such as physical exercise and brain teasers will ensure that your body and mind are both in pristine condition for years to last!
“I’m Surely Going to Turn Senile.”
This is not true at all. Senility is avoidable, contrary to popular belief. If you’re worried about senility, rather than thinking about such negative statements, think about what you can do now to prevent senility in the future. Proactive measures can be taken to prevent this, such as staying active and maintaining a healthy diet. A sedentary lifestyle as an elderly is the greatest obstacle to good health in your later years.
“It’s Impossible for Aged People to Learn.”
On the contrary, aged individuals are encouraged to learn more. Learning never stops, no matter what age we become. Research-backed studies from Harvard Medical School have shown that learning can slow cognitive aging. Furthermore, while learning as an elderly may not be as fast as it used to be, your brain becomes better at processing relationships between pieces of information in turn. All the more reason for us to keep on learning and studying what interests us!
“Becoming Lonely Is Natural When Growing Older.”
Your social life doesn’t have to be left behind in the past as you age. Not only can you maintain meaningful relationships by simply keeping in touch, but you can also make new friends through the various resources available to you. For example, retirement communities are full of similarly-aged individuals that you can bond with over being under one roof. At Rittenhouse Village At Portage, our calendar of senior-focused activities are sure to help you win over new friends!
