We all want to grow up, not grow old. But ageing is an inevitable process that no one, even the richest person in the world, can escape from. But growing old doesn’t have to make you feel stressful, anxious, or depressed! By investing in your health, you can live a long, happy and healthy life.
Here are the most common myths about ageing. It’s time to know which of them are true and you should bust off!
1.The older you get, the poorer your mental health becomes.
Do you see yourself sitting on a rocking chair, wearing thick lense glasses and trying to recognise the person heading towards you? While it is possible to experience a decline in mental function, especially if the person has a brain disorder, scientific studies show that it isn’t always the case. In her study published in the American Psychological Association’s Monitor on Psychology, Phillips reported that brains may employ effective techniques to compensate for cognitive decline, such as problem-solving, yoga and meditation.
2.You can no longer break bad habits when you’re old.
Old people who are into negative habits such as smoking and alcoholism think that they can no longer break the hard habit. Some think that they are “too old to quit”. Judith Horstman, in his research, found that people who start to exercise later in life can still gain benefits from cognitive decline.
3.As you grow older, so do your bones.
It is true that age is a major risk factor of osteoporosis. But many elderly people never developed the disease, said Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. of Harvard Health Publications.
4.Your brain stops growing once you hit old age.
We used to believe that the human brain stops developing at the age of maturity. But a growing body of research shows that the brain has the ability to expand and grow even during adulthood. The theory of neuroplasticity, which states that the brain structure and function changes in respect to experience, has been widely accepted. Meaning if you invest on harnessing your brain power, you will have a healthy, sharp mind. So don’t stop learning!
5.Growing old means growing alone.
It is a known fact that many seniors are often left alone in the house, being isolated from their social network. But this doesn’t mean old people have already lost their social skills. In fact, a person’s social intelligence keeps expanding as he or she gets old, suggests Dr Margaret Gatz, professor of psychology at the University of Southern California.
6.You’ll become an “empty nester”.
Empty nest syndrome is a disorder characterised by extreme feeling of grief and loneliness parents feel when their children leave home. But studies show that empty nest is eliminated by marital satisfaction. Far from being depressed, older couples enjoy the fact that they have more time to spend together.
7.Happiness is just for young people.
Happiness is a choice that is not affected by age. In fact, studies show that many people view midlife as their happiest moment. People in their 40s begin to feel more contented with their life after the age of 50.
8.In old age, there’s no room for sex.
Research shows that people over 60 want and enjoy sex. In her study, Judith Horstman found that three-quarters of American people between the age of 75 and 85 are still interested in sex and are sexually active.
9.Women fear ageing.
Not really. In the survey conducted by the National Women’s Health Resource Centre in the US, older women have positive outlook about ageing. They see it as an adventure and opportunity, and not a depressing point in life.
10.The pain and physical impairment caused by arthritis are inevitable when you age.
The fact is age alone doesn’t cause arthritis. There are many factors that increase your risk of having arthritis that even if you are still young, you may already suffer from this debilitating condition.
11.Ageing makes you feel old.
In the 2009 Pew Research Survey, researchers reported that the older people get, the younger they feel. Almost half of the respondents, ages 50 and above, report that they felt 10 to 19 years younger than their actual age.
12.Majority of old people are senile.
Many people worry about growing old and experiencing memory problems, behavioural changes, and disorientation. But that’s not correct. The truth is – 80% of older adults are healthy enough to carry on with their normal lives.
Dear Readers,
As a therapist, how do you think old age can effect health? Can you agree with any of these points in the article?
