This is part one of a four-part series exploring the effects of aging on our bodies.
Parts two through four each focus on a specific part of our bodies and what we can do to alleviate the effects of aging on that body system.
Legend has it that starting in his first visit to Florida in 1513, the Spanish explorer and first governor of what is now Puerto Rico, Ponce de Leon, was in search of a fabled spring that would restore youth to the aged – the Fountain of Youth. While historians dispute this claim, the idea of such a fountain has fascinated our minds for centuries.
During his twilight years, American author Mark Twain noted that “life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of 80 and gradually approach 18.” A movie was released in 2008 that may have had its roots in that quote, namely, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. In the movie, the main character is born an old man, but as time passes, he gets younger and younger; however, the paradox is that all those he loves continue to age and he is left alone in the end.
Some people have spent much of their lives searching for a metaphorical fountain of youth only to be sadly disappointed. Others have found it through proper diet, exercise, spiritual enlightenment, and good genes.
One anonymous quote I read recently and enjoyed is, “If I’d known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.” There is truth in that statement. We make choices each day that can determine what kind of lifestyle we may experience beyond 60 years of age.
This leads us to ask if there are changes that we need to make in our choices in order to slow down the normal aging process. For example, research shows that smoking is bad for our health, affecting our lungs, blood vessels, bones and heart among other organs. How about living a sedentary lifestyle? How does it affect the aging process? The posts on this website will address the need to be more active and help others you care about become more active as well.
Until the researchers can make a pill that significantly reverses or slows down the aging process, our bodies will continue to wear down over time. It is useful and informative to look individually at the various body parts that tend to wear out, and most importantly, what we can do to slow the process on our own.
What to Watch For
Over the next few weeks, I will share with you summaries of what happens to our body parts as we age in relation to balance, strength, power, flexibility, and avoiding falls. While they are not designed to be an exhaustive explanation, you will find them helpful in understanding what is happening to your body as you age, and this knowledge will be essential in effectively doing all that we can do to combat and counteract these effects.
Call to Action
Join me as we take a brief journey into understanding the aging process and how it affects our journey. Take the balance-killer quiz by clicking on the link below to get started.
