6 Signs You Are Aging in a Healthy Way
Your chronological age or the number of birthdays you’ve had tells you how old you are. But are you aging well? Your physical, mental, and emotional health determine if you are aging well. Medical experts have identified these six signs that can help you see if you are aging in a way that keeps you well or pushes you towards sickness.
- Height Loss Normal Range
Some shrinking is normal. As you age, it is common and expected for you to lose a small amount of height. According to a study in Economics and Human Biology, people lose height at an annual rate between 0.08% and 0.10% for males and 0.12% and 0.14% for females.
That comes out to about 2cm to 4cm of height loss over the course of your life. If your height loss is within that range, it is a sign you are aging well. According to the University of Arkansas Medical Center the main cause of height loss is from the cartilage between bone joints wears down over time, slightly decreasing a person’s height.
- Physical Independence
Your activity level is also a sign of how well you are aging. When considering your activity level, think about your:
- Posture
- Exercise
- Stamina
- Independence
How well you carry yourself and how much physical activity you do reflect how much stamina you have throughout the day. Just as people normally lose some height, they also lose some muscle mass.
According to the Harvard Medical School, after age 30, people lose 3% to 5% of their muscle mass each decade. This normal age-related muscle mass loss is known as sarcopenia. Less muscle mass means more weakness and less mobility.
Sarcopenia also puts you at a greater risk for damaging falls. An American Society for Bone and Mineral Research found that people with sarcopenia have a 2.3 higher risk of breaking a bone if they fall.
Your activity level determines how independent you are. While it may take a little longer to do some activities, a sign you are aging well is how physically independent you are.
- Can you Grab It?
Another sign of aging well is your grip strength. According to a study in Clinical Interventions in Aging, grip strength is an independent sign of aging that reflects a person’s:
- Overall Strength
- Upper Limb Function
- Bone Mineral Density
- Falls and Fractures
- Malnutrition
- Cognitive Impairment
- Depression
- Sleep Problems
- Diabetes
- Quality of Life
All of these health-related problems are signs you are not aging well. Good grip strength is a sign you are healthy and physically independent, signs of aging well. This is why your doctor asks you to squeeze his or her hand on your visits.
- Staying sharp & alert
According to a study in Seminars in Hearing, your brain undergoes functional and structural changes as you age. These normal changes may lead to a decline in how fast a person processes information. Don’t worry if it takes you longer to remember the answer, it is more of a concern if you can’t recall or your recall doesn’t match the reality.
Researchers have found that a healthy lifestyle reduces the risk for diseases that increase cognitive decline. Aging well lowers your risk for dementia and other cognitive issues.
- That’s what Friends (and Family) are For
Humans are social creatures. A study in the Animal Science Journal showed that rats kept in isolation became more aggressive and had decreased cognitive function. Social scientists have found the same results in people who do not socialize with others.
During lockdown for the COVID pandemic, four in ten people reported mental health issues. Before that, one in ten people reported mental health concerns. People who age well have a strong social connection to friends and family. Having a pet can also be a stand in for some (not all ) companionship.
- Quality of Life
Regardless of how good or bad your physical and mental health are, your quality of life depends on your emotional health. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines actively aging well as the process of maximizing opportunities for health, participation, and security to enhance a person’s quality of life. Your mindset and outlook tell you if you feel you are aging well.
