I don’t know about you, but it feels to me like the summer has just flown by. I can’t believe it’s already August, and we’re more than halfway through the season. Because I’ve been so busy, my little guy (Atreyu) has been spending more and more time with my parents, and that’s part of what’s inspired this month’s newsletter on healthy aging.
Both of my parents are in their late 70s. One is very active, and the other isn’t at all, and you can tell right away which is which by the way they move. My mom has been active her whole life, moves quickly and with purpose, gets up and down easily, and can keep up with Atreyu pretty well. My dad … well, he moves at his own speed.
Part of the reason for the difference is mindset – you’re only as old as you feel, but part of it is that my mom is able to be active because she has stayed active. I see it in my older clients as well. They’ve led active lives, and so they’re able to continue to do so.
Where I come in is I help them in specific areas that tend to become more and more challenging with age. Specifically, these 4 indicators of health longevity:
- Grip Strength
- Balance
- Getting up off the floor
- Trying new and challenging movements
What makes them factors in healthy aging?
Grip:
So much of what we do in our day-to-day involves grip strength, whether it’s opening doors, holding banisters, carrying groceries, or cooking meals. When you start to lose your grip strength, you start to lose your independence.
Balance:
This one doesn’t need much explanation. We balance every time we take a step. As we age, our reaction time slows, and if we take a funny step, we’re more likely to fall. Working on balance is key to maintaining health in older age.
Getting up off the floor:
The fewer points of contact you need to get from lying down to standing up, the longer you’re likely to be able to retain your health and independence as you age. Think about it: getting up requires core strength, leg strength, joint mobility, and joint integrity.
Willingness to try new things:
Our brains can change, but only if we stimulate that change. If you’re learning new things, especially new movement patterns or skills, your nervous system is making new connections. Some studies have shown that training the brain in this way can prevent or delay the onset of some neurological diseases, such as dementia.
So, what are some ways to train these skills? The short answer is do them regularly.
Grip Training:
Hold or lift (relatively) heavy weights or objects on a regular basis, and hold them tightly. This will reduce your dependence on others to open stubborn bottles of wine or tight pickle jar lids.
Balance:
If you can already stand on one leg for at least 30 seconds, try doing it while looking around the room. Try balancing with your eyes closed. To step it up even more, try some single-leg exercises.
Getting up:
Sit ups, push ups, squats, and lunges. Go as far as you’re (safely) able in each movement.
Trying new things:
This can be literally any new skill. Take up gardening, learn a new sport, go for hikes and try to identify the plants you see. ANYTHING that challenges you and makes you fail a little bit is fair game.
If you want more tips on healthy aging, or you’re looking for info and help specific to YOUR needs, let’s have a chat! My 30min discovery calls are complimentary, with no commitment required.
