No matter where you look, these days, it’s hard to avoid media focus on Baby Boomers. While financial planning, retirement, and even second careers are dominant themes, there are countless others. Based on what I read, it seems that Boomers will single handedly reinvent America and never age. We are an ambitious lot, with big goals. Still, I wonder about the anti-aging thing.
Given the wide array, and appeal, of anti-aging products and services, it’s clear that a lot of people want to look and feel young. While I can certainly understand that urge, I wonder about the extent to which people may be missing out on something even more important: aging successfully. Okay, successful aging certainly doesn’t offer the promise of eternal youth, but it seems to me it has great relevance to your well being no matter where you are on life’s journey.
In their book, Successful Aging, John W. Rowe, M.D. and Robert L. Kahn, PhD. report on the findings of the most comprehensive study on aging in America. In essence, the authors report that the way we live is more important than genetics in determining health and vitality as we age. They describe a three-part model of successful aging that is comprised of: (1) avoiding disease, (2) maintaining high cognitive and physical function, and (3) engagement with life.
As you might expect, the model includes an array of lifestyle factors, such as moderate use of alcohol, avoidance of smoking, proper nutrition, physical exercise, and sufficient mental challenge. Yes, all the things you know you should be paying attention to. Yet, engagement with life offers two more lifestyle factors to consider: continued productive behavior and maintaining relationships with other people.
Both of these factors show a correlation with a vibrant life even into your advanced years. Of course, productivity and relationships give you more to pay attention to. But why not? After all, don’t you really want to look and feel vibrant at any age?
Own today. Own tomorrow. Own your life.
Contact me if you want to create and informed plan for managing your lifestyle.
I love that concept. Aging successfully. Ah...I feel much better now!
Posted by: Wendy | June 30, 2007 at 10:48 AM
Excellent, Wendy! I think it’s a great perspective and sure beats focusing on our worst fears about aging!
Posted by: Walter Akana | June 30, 2007 at 03:53 PM