There is so much conversation around “anti-aging” that you could be forgiven for thinking getting older is something we're supposed to prevent.
Of course, we all want to feel well for as long as possible. We want energy, strength, mobility and the freedom to keep doing the things we enjoy.
But I think there's a much more useful conversation to have than how we can turn back the clock.
How can we take really good care of ourselves as our bodies change?
What worked before may not work now
One of the realities of getting older is that our bodies change, and so do their needs.
You may notice changes in your energy, sleep, hormones, digestion, strength or how quickly you recover. Something you barely had to think about at 30 may require a little more attention at 50 or 60.
I don't see that as a reason to become frustrated with your body.
I see it as information.
Your body is telling you where it may need a little more support now.
And that's worth listening to.
Pay attention to the body you have today
I often think we make wellness harder than it needs to be because we're measuring ourselves against an earlier version of ourselves.
Instead, try asking a very simple question:
What would help me feel better in my body today?
The answer might be building more strength, improving your sleep, changing the way you're eating, moving more regularly or finally having a conversation with your healthcare provider about something you've been noticing.
It may also be something surprisingly simple.
The important thing is that the answer comes from paying attention to your body rather than following somebody else's idea of what healthy aging is supposed to look like.
“Pay attention to the body you have today.”
There is a lot of life ahead
I would love to see us talk less about “anti-aging” and more about what we want our later years to actually feel like.
Can you move comfortably? Do you have the energy to enjoy your day? Are you sleeping well? Do you feel strong? Are you able to participate in the life you want to have?
Those are much more interesting questions to me than whether we can make ourselves look or feel exactly as we did twenty years ago.
We can't stop time, and I don't think we need to.
We can keep learning what our bodies need, make adjustments as those needs change, and give ourselves the best possible foundation for the years ahead.
That, to me, is aging well.
