YOUR HEALTH
CONNECTIVITY AND ACTIVE AGING
Shehi
By Jay Shehi Contributing Columnist
As I approach the top of the hill with caution , my fascination into what allows some of us to live longer than others continues to grow . My wife Jennifer has graciously tolerated me over the past several years as I ’ ve started to exercise more and micromanage the foods that I ( and sometimes the rest of the family ) eat .
She and I have regular yet hearty debates over the health benefits of butter . Two of my great-grandmothers lived to be 96 and to my recollection , both of them had an affinity for biscuits and gravy — items that are most surely highlighted in bold letters as things to avoid as we age . Even renowned British statesman Winston Churchill who famously smoked 10 cigars a day , lived to be 90 . There is no magic formula for aging because the aging process is different for each of us . What works for one person will have different results for another . Despite our differences , we all share many commonalities and there are certain lifestyle choices that we can make to promote not only our physical well-being but also our mental health .
Thinking back on those we know and love who lived much later in life , an active lifestyle and robust social network are often common threads . These are the people who volunteer in their communities and continue to master new skills . Active aging isn ’ t just a good idea but it is backed by science . Research shows that people who begin to exercise , even in their 60s and 70s , experience not only improved cardiac function but also improved cognitive ability . Whether it is a brisk walk around the neighborhood , working in your garden or choosing to park farther away from buildings before you enter , making the choice to stay physically active is beneficial across the spectrum of aging . Aerobic exercise has been demonstrated through research to also dramatically improve brain function .
Beyond physical exercise , it is also very important to keep our brains active as we age . One 2019 study from the University of California — Riverside followed a group of subjects in their 80s for six weeks . Each subject simultaneously attended classes in Spanish , photography , painting and music composition 15 hours per week for the duration of the six week study . After the study was completed , the results demonstrated that those who attended classes realized significantly improved brain function on par with middle aged adults . No matter what the subject , learning opportunities are out there in exciting ways . In addition to many free courses available online , there are numerous opportunities with local organizations to learn a new skill .
It is also important to point out that many brain boosting activities like painting and listening to music also benefit us emotionally by reducing stress levels that can impact our bodies in negative ways . Unhealthy stress levels have negative impacts not only on our mental health but also on cardiac health and cognition . One way to reduce stress is through mindfulness which is a big word that summarizes a group of activities designed to keep us focused and present in the moment . While there are thousands of mindfulness activities ( some available through applications on your smart phone ), simply sitting and being wholly present in nature is an example . Mindfulness has been demonstrated to improve overall health and even provide relief for chronic health conditions . There is also growing evidence that routine meditation or mindfulness activities can actually slow the process of cellular aging .
Another important area of great significance in the aging process is socialization . Both in brain function and emotional well-being , a wide social network is a great tool to combat the aging process . In the past year and a half , we have all had to adapt our social environments more rapidly than any of us can remember . However , through technology , there are endless new ways to be active socially and while social networking cannot replace face to face interactions , it has allowed us to reach those at great distances . Last year , my family hosted a virtual Thanksgiving and while it could never replace the gathering in person , the connection was still there . Independent of the effects of the pandemic , the use of technology is particularly important for those of us with relatives who live far away and has allowed many of us to broaden our social reach .
In summary , the fountain of youth is available to all of us . Be active ! Go for a walk . Learn to fix small engines . Join a club . Unfortunately , no one has come up with a walking , small engine repair club , which although unsafe , would solve the problem . Being alive is such a wonderful gift and we should embrace each day with passion . And while they ’ ve passed on , I know that my biscuit and gravy connoisseurs / great-grandmothers would agree .
• Jay Shehi is CEO of Alliance Health Center . You may contact him at www . alliancehealthcenter . com
30 • TIMELESS MERIDIAN