Is getting older difficult to accept?
Aging should be considered a blessing, not a curse. Being able to spend as much time as possible with your loved ones is one of the best things that could ever happen to you. Seeing your children grow and have their own families, spending time with your grandchildren, enjoying your newfound free time, these are all perks of growing old.
However, there are also certain downsides to aging, many of which society doesn’t want to tackle. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns in life, and growing older can come with its fair share of negative aspects. From mood changes to health problems and fewer friends to complain to, here are some of the changes caused by aging that most people have trouble accepting.
Lower energy levels
You may have noticed it too! Energy levels take a serious hit and they are no longer what they used to be in your younger days; hey, not even what they were a couple of years back.
As explained by Invigor Medical, this decrease is quite normal. Due to genetics and environment, the decline is different for people in terms of timing and rate. But it does happen eventually and your muscle mass and flexibility are affected too, which means you have to put in extra work and effort for more strenuous activities.
More severe health problems
Not only does aging come with more health problems, but these are way more serious and damaging. Not addressing them will not make them go away, on the contrary, the situation will become worse and worse.
Chronic problems such as arthritis and diabetes are among the most common health issues older people deal with, and are often neglected. According to WHO, it is important to have regular checkups and follow medical recommendation, particularly after a certain age when our bodies do not have the same power and energy to cope with all the health problems.
Slower metabolism
Another thing that does not work at the same rate as we grow older is our metabolism. If once we were able to chug an extra-large menu, now a small hamburger might cause havoc in our bodies. That’s because our metabolism is working slower and it takes longer for it to turn food into energy.
A clear downside of a slower metabolism is that losing weight and even maintaining it becomes harder, as the calorie-burning rate is also slowing down. One way to stay on track with weight is to adopt a healthy diet and exercise regularly, in accordance with the recommendations for your age group.
Wrinkles
The first visible signs of aging are wrinkles, age spots and lack of skin elasticity. These signs start showing as early as 30 years old, and develop as time goes by. A good skincare routine, proper nutrition and lots of water might slow down the aging process and the appearance of wrinkles but they cannot stop it. In the end, the most important part is played by genetics, environment and sun exposure.
Poor memory
As detailed by HelpGuide, “the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved in the formation and retrieval of memories, often deteriorates with age. Hormones and proteins that protect and repair brain cells and stimulate neural growth also decline.”
The effects of such a decline include memory lapses which many older people experience quite frequently.
Hearing and vision decline
Your hearing and vision might be foolproof right now, but if you are lucky enough to reach your 80s (but it can very well happen earlier) your senses will become less and less reliable. You might need to help your eyes with some reading glasses and you even might need to wear some hearing aids. This might make you feel frustrated or ashamed, but you need to know that such changes are normal.
Don’t beat around the bush! Just accept them as being part of the aging process and deal with them as they come. Leaving a problem unattended will only aggravate matters.
Fewer friends
Most people have a vast social network, especially during their working years. As the years go by, it’s normal for one’s social circle to shrink. Reasons such as health and mobility problems, retirement, relocation, personal losses, all contribute to people keeping fewer closer friends rather than vast social networks.
Contrary to what many people thing, having fewer friends is not something to be embarrassed about, it’s actually a reflection of one’s change in priorities, favoring quality over quantity.
Retirement isn’t always about relaxation
When we think of retirement, we think of free time, newfound hobbies, bliss and relaxation. But in many cases, not having a workplace to go to is not a good enough reason to be relaxed and content. According to CNBC, many retirees find it difficult to adapt to their new lives, adjust their expenses and lifestyle to their fixed budget and trying to come up with all sorts of activities to fill their time. Instead of feeling relaxed and satisfied with their new reality, they feel anxious, stressed and utterly unhappy.
Sleep problems
It’s a common occurrence when aging, to have different sleeping patterns. For many older adults, it becomes harder to fall or stay asleep, thus affecting the quality of their overall sleep. Poor sleep caused by insomnia, light sleeping etc. causes a decline in energy levels and can even lead to mental health problems.
It is extremely important to find a sleep routine that works and if sleeping becomes a serious issue that affects your daily life, then it might be a good thing to ask for the help of a specialist.
Related article:11 Things People No Longer Appreciate As They Get Older
Technological struggles
It’s hard keeping up with all the technological changes; the fast pace with which apps, gadgets, systems and the like change is dazzling. It’s no wonder many older people find technology frustrating and difficult to use. According to TYE Medical, it is quite normal to feel that way but many seniors do not ask for the help of family members or friends for fear of being ridiculed.
If you’re also struggling with technology, don’t hesitate to ask for the support of someone who is more tech-savvy. There’s nothing to be ashamed about.
Personal loss
It is a sad reality, but growing old also means losing some of the people you care about. After a certain age, there will be more funeral than weddings or christenings. It is the cycle of life and no matter how we feel about it, there’s nothing we can do to change it.
Mortality and personal loss are not things that people like to talk about. But maybe we should be more upfront about the situation and come to terms with the fact that it is something that happens as we are advancing in age. We might feel frightened or sad about the whole thing, but maybe we should appreciate the lives that we have at the moment and make the most of everything instead of living with the fear of dying.
Financial troubles
According to the National Council on Aging, “20% of older households (approximately 11 million) have no assets to draw upon to withstand a financial shock.” Unfortunately, there are many situations when retirees have not managed to save enough money to live a comfortable retirement life. It’s really no surprise, given the rise of prices and inflation in recent years. Not to mention there are many unforeseen costs with healthcare, care homes, medical equipment and events that affect even seniors with a well-prepared financial plan.
See also:Retirement Investments: 5 BEST Things You Can Do With Your Money Now
Reduced independence
We might not like the prospect of asking someone else for help, but even the most resourceful and independent people among us will eventually need some sort of assistance when they grow older. This reduced independence may be accepted with difficulty, especially by proud persons, but it is usually caused by mobility issues and health conditions that affect one’s daily life.
No one likes to talk about how they have to rely on someone else to walk up the stairs or even take a shower, and it can be a struggle to accept the current condition. But it’s all part of growing older, whether we like it or not.
