Think about it: Donald Trump became the 45th president of the United States at the age of 70! Whether you like him or not, it’s pretty amazing, don’t you think?
According to Alan Walker, Professor of Social Policy and Social Gerontology at the University of Sheffield, our conceptions of “old age” are hopelessly out of date.
For many, 70 is the new 50 and signifies the quiet revolution that has taken place in longevity, and society has to catch up. Truth is, the faster the increase in life expectancy, the less ageing is going on. Research indicates that the average retiree can look forward to drawing their pension for up to 24 years – as much as 50% longer than their parents’ generation.
No wonder that, at 71, Helen Mirren’s sex symbol status is stronger than ever! The British actress recently received the ultimate seal of approval when she was asked to pose for the 2017 Pirelli Calendar alongside acting heavyweights Nicole Kidman and Kate Winslet. Yes, celebrities are redefining 70; Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dianne Keaton, Elton John (Rocket Man is one of the most unique figures in pop music and remain as relevant as ever!), to name but a few.
According to Professor Peter Ellwood at Cardiff University, older people are increasingly fit and healthy well into their eighties. It is important not only to live longer, but to live healthier. It should not be about adding years to your life, but adding life to your years!
Let’s face it, growing older is akin to entering uncharted territory; the landscape of your own body can begin to feel foreign and the way you relate to certain aspects of life naturally shifts. But, what does it take to thrive well into your 8th decade?
Although you can’t stop the clock, you can fight the ageing process with a few smart moves. First of all, go down the “find-your-passion-at-seventy” route. Be curious, positive and adventurous. Jean Woods, age 75, became Gap’s oldest employee at 70. She works in their boutique in Bath and loves every minute of it! So, take a class, learn how to play the guitar or make pottery.
Remember to “Use it or lose it” – Whether it’s a crossword puzzle or Sudoku, challenge your brain every day. Also, develop a sense of meaning in your life; be an inspiration to others by volunteering what you have to offer. Be sociable, stay connected to friends and loved ones. Research shows that people who are part of a social group, whether it’s a church group or a book club, are healthier with less cognitive decline when ageing. So, make time in your life for shared activities with as wide a range of people as possible.
It is important to eat healthy, get enough sleep, and to exercise. What about sex? You bet! A University of Chicago study found that 40% of men aged 75 to 85 are sexually active. A recent poll shows that 44% of women between the ages of 68 to 80 years of age are very satisfied with their sex lives, compared with just 30% of women between 55 and 68.
What no one ever tells you about ageing is that the inside never matches the outside. You’ll still love the same things and be turned on by the same music and experiences, still catch someone’s eye and have an ever-so-fleeting, heart-fluttering moment…
“It really doesn’t matter how many candles you have on your cake, being 70 years young is far more cheerful and hopeful than being 40 years old” – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
Source: sixtyandme.com, www.dailymail.co.uk, www.huffingtonpost.com, www.telegraph.co.uk, blog-thunderbirdsenior.com, www.aarp.org, 70candles.com, blog.ioaging.org, www.quora.com, www.today.com, books.google.co.za, www.brainyquote.com, well.blogs.nytimes.com, edition.cnn.com, www.realbuzz.com, www.health.harvard.edu, etcanada.com
