Aging can be described as a continuous and unavoidable process in which the cells of the body grow and develop as they attain maturity. It is influenced by factors such as one’s genes, the type of environment they are exposed to and also their lifestyle. One has a choice to decide whether they want to age healthy or unhealthy. Aging healthy means that one gets old with the mind, body and spirit being in perfect condition. Unhealthy aging means one grows old with all these three aspects of health not having a perfect balance. This paper discusses healthy and unhealthy aging, its applicable career and retirement issues and the benefits of healthy aging.
Poor nutrition, drug abuse, alcoholism, stress and lack of exercise are the major causes of unhealthy aging. This causes the body to be malnourished, tired and has low activity. It has an effect on the lifespan of a person and general health which in turn determines their career and work. It also has an effect on their retirement age Bjorklund (2010).
Your health is your wealth. It is wise to choose a healthy lifestyle to enjoy the goodness that life has to offer. A healthy lifestyle results to healthy aging because you are what you eat. The price for healthy aging is; having a good diet that is balanced, going slow on drugs and alcohol, exercise and a sane mental state. A healthy lifestyle promotes good health and long life. One is able to concentrate on their career and be able to plan for retirement.
According to Bjorklund (2010), people choose their careers depending on their gender, family influence and genetics. Older people are more satisfied with their careers as opposed to the youth. Women start planning for their retirement earlier than men and it is affected by their age. I agree with her opinion because this is what happens in the society most cases. For example, a youth of middle age will keep shifting his career until he settles for what his heart pleases. By the time he is content, he is grown and finds satisfaction in the career that he is doing and sticks to it. He then thinks of retirement much later in his life.
As one ages, there is need to plan for the future since there are very many changes that take place. “Growing Old in a New Age” suggest that one should be prepared for changes such as in love and the sources one derives love from, to embrace their sexuality and create time for intimacy in the way one loves best. One should be able to cope up with loses such as of a job or of someone who is dear, change in relationships and social life in general. It also educates one on how to maintain family ties and keep a close relationship with relatives since they are important in a person’s life (“Annenberg foundation”, 2011).
To conclude, it is important to know about aging and to be prepared for it mentally, physically, spiritually and also emotionally. Healthy aging is advisable since one is ready for it in all aspects. It makes one to be ready for the challenges ahead and be brave enough to face them. An aging population that is unhealthy is not very productive at all.
References
Annenberg Foundation. (2011). Growing Old in a New Age: Teacher’s Resources. Web.
Bjorklund B. R. (2010). Journey of Adulthood Seventh Edition: Work and Retirement (chapter 7), Prentice Hall, Amazon.