Fun, Facts & Fitness from Mary Morris MSc.
I would say that one of the best things about my life is the time I spend with other people, lots of people preferably. I found out a long time ago, early on in my career, that I did not want to be a Personal Trainer as that meant working with only one person. I like to work with loads of people at the same time!
The buzz of exercising with a group of lovely people, all having fun and getting fit at the same time, is SO rewarding. Likewise, sitting have a coffee after a stimulating walk in the fresh air swapping life's experiences is what really keeps me feeling young. I am thankful that I am still able to do it as I fast approach my mid-70s.
Now a lot of that may be down to my personality and thankfully not everyone wants to do the same things, but what is coming out loud and clear from those scientists who have spent a long time researching how we age, is that if we are to age well, then there are a few golden rules to follow. Please take good note of them as they may help you on your own 'ageing' journey.
Life Expectancy
For the very first time the number of people living over 65 years old exceeds the number of children under 5 years, and today's 65-year-old is as comparable in numbers to yesteryear’s 45-year-old. So clearly, we are living longer, but are we living healthier? It is a shocking statistic that men spend on average 19 years with ill health before they die and women are not much better at 16 years! So, it is not about how long we survive but how long we thrive!
It is a fact that some people age far more quickly than others. We may see an 85-year-old running a marathon yet another person, of exactly the same age, who may be very frail and hardly moves out of their chair! So, what drives such a BIG difference?
Having a Positive Mental Attitude (our PMA)
It is our attitude to life that is now proven to influence how we age. I have a friend who last year turned 70 and she has announced that from now on she is going to be a year younger every birthday... so next month she plans to be 69! We all laugh about it of course, but there is no escaping her attitude is one of defying her real age. She has just won a rather grand trophy at her local golf club, beating 30 other women in the tournament, mostly younger than herself.
One of the oldest women in Britain, Eileen Ash, only recently died in 2021 at the age of 110. She played golf until she was 98 and was still driving around Norwich at the age of 105 in her bright yellow mini (a sure sign of a strong PMA in my book!). She put her longevity down to red wine, yoga and happiness. Thanks to her positive attitude and the fact she has exercised all through her life, she managed to slow down the pace of ageing.
So, from the yoga-loving 110-year-old to all those 40-year-olds who cannot run a mile, we get the difference between what is called our chronological age (our actual age defined in years) and our biological (or physiological) age defined by how well or badly our body is functioning. Can we control that? Yes - we certainly can!
A number of studies have now confirmed that those who 'feel their age' have diseases and disorders that accelerate their ageing, whereas those who say they are 'as young as you feel' do not. Simply feeling younger than our chronological age slows the pace of ageing. Such good news!
Having Good Friends and Family
Much research has centred around our need for social contact with others and to experience strong family ties... so much so that it can have an impact on how well we age. Harvard researchers in a large study of social networks found that greater friendships and family harmony showed far less ‘inflammation’ markers in the body that can cause blood clots and lead to heart attacks and other diseases.
Friendships play a big part in health and wellbeing at any age but more particularly in later life because we choose our friends and we are most likely to maintain the friendships that we enjoy the most. You may be surprised to hear that with our closest friends, we even share a similar DNA showing that we make friends with those who are most like ourselves – fascinating! Also, people who actively seek social contact with others, such as a regular walking group, are more likely to be positive, have a higher self-esteem and good mood, all of which lower our stress levels. Unquestionably, there are plenty of reasons to get out there with a determination to widen our social contacts, make friends and really enjoy our life.
Having a Purpose in Life
We need to reframe the word 'retirement' as Rosemary and I will affirm. Having a purpose to each and every day is a cornerstone to healthy ageing. Forget retirement – work keeps us healthier, but if retirement is forced upon you then you need to replace it with something else. Maybe volunteering would stimulate you, or joining the gym or any other social group that interests you. For many, grand-parenting duties fit the bill or gardening or other hobbies. Scientists agree that we should create a purpose for each day.
Many of the concepts discussed in this week's Newsletter come from the book 'Age Proof' by Professor Rose Anne Kenny, and knowing that many of you who read this every week are in the older age bracket, you may find it a good read. It is based on a lot of solid research so it may be a bit too science-based for some, but if that is your background, I think you will find it as fascinating as I do.
For many, the WI had become known for jam-making and other home-making skills, but in 2003 the film Calendar Girls showed the Women's Institute in a new light. The funny and moving tale of the Yorkshire group creating a "nude" calendar to raise money for charity, after the death of a member's husband, gave pause for thought about the camaraderie and support such organisations can provide.
