My dad was recently diagnosed with two chronic illnesses and it sobered me.
A stark reminder of the fragility of health.
I don’t know why this happened to him but I can only speculate.
“As you get older, you are bound to get sick with something” A friend told me and she went ahead to tell me her father is battling with a chronic illness and also another friend’s father.
“We are at the age where our parents are becoming sick”
That in 30 years my children will have to deal with my failing health.
It didn’t sit well with me at all.
Approximately 80% of adults aged 55 and older are diagnosed with at least one chronic illness.
Approximately 70% of all deaths in this age group of adults aged 55 and older are attributed to chronic illnesses.
- Genetic Predisposition: Family history can increase the likelihood of developing certain conditions.
- Environmental Factors: Exposure to pollutants and toxins over time can impact health.
- Cumulative Health Impact: The effects of stress and previous health issues can accumulate, leading to chronic conditions.
- Lifestyle Factors: Long-term habits such as poor diet, inactivity, smoking, and excessive alcohol use can contribute to chronic diseases.
Are there healthy 55+ humans? Yes. The 20%.
I bet you want to be part of them or at least contribute to increasing the numbers.
- Exercise regularly. Walk, run, lift weights. Sweat it out.
- Eat clean. Avoid the processed foods, reduce sugar intake, eat nutrient dense meals. I worry that even the foods that were otherwise considered safe are now full of toxins. I try get organic produce and very careful about where I get meat from. If you have access to grass fed beef, organic eggs and free range hens the better for you.
- Balance cortisol(stress hormone) & oxytocin (happy hormone). You spend a lot of your day in stress filled environments, and that is something we all can’t avoid. The release of cortisol is not bad but when this is done in large amounts over extended periods, this compromises the body’s immunity.
- Community. Find people who have the same values, interests or a purpose. Could be family, a church, etc. Choose to not only benefit from community but to impact them positively.
- Leave the city. Yes, the environment is toxic. You might just do all the above but then live next to a factory or inhale the dangerous fumes released by cars constantly. The air in the city is compromised.
- Get sun exposure. We’ve been told to avoid the sun but that is bullshit. Limited exposure is good for our health. Sunlight helps our bodies produce vitamin D, which is essential for bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. It's important to balance sun exposure to avoid skin damage, so aim for short periods in the AM and PM sun.
Your choices today will most definitely have an impact on your health when you are old. Make healthy choices now so your older years are easy for you and for everyone else who loves you.
If you are a parent, it’s no longer just about you. You want to do your best to take care of yourself so that you are healthy and fit to avoid the stress illness brings to your children.
Cheers to good health and to you deciding to be a strong 70 year old playing with your grandchildren.
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