Longevity, Health, & Functioning
"Old age isn't so bad, when you consider the alternative."
-Maurice Chevalier
Ever wondered how long you will live???
There are both genetic and environmental factors involved in prolonging life.
There are a combination or environmental factors that can help determine our longevity, lifestyle being one of them.
Play the Longevity game to see what your lifestyle predicts about your longevity!
Since we see that lifestyle plays such an important role in determining our longevity, let's take some time to evaluate our daily activities and habits in order to improve our overall lifestyle.
How stressed are you? How fit are you? Test your Nutrition IQ Are you or your child at risk for obesity? Depression Risk Assessment
Some other environmental factors affecting longevity are:
"Brain cells create ideas. Stress kills brain cells. Stress is not a good idea."
-Frederick Saunders
We face stress every day. If stress lasts too long, the resulting effects can be damaging to your body and your mind.
WAYS STRESS COULD AFFECT THE BODY:
WAYS STRESS CAN AFFECT THE MIND:
So, hopefully you took the quiz to see how stressed you are. If you found out that you are stressed, don't freak out! There are lots of stress coping techniques that can help you through it!
Here are some stress managment techniques that benefit people of all ages:
Here are some relatively quick fixes for when you feel stressed:
When we're stressed, we don't always take care of our bodies, which can lead to even more stress. Here are some important ways to take care of yourself and keep stress levels lower.
Much of your experience of stress has to do with your attitude and the way you perceive your life's events. Here are some resources to help you maintain a stress-relieving attitude.
Your physical and emotional surroundings can impact your stress levels in subtle but significant ways. Here are several ways you can change your atmosphere and less your stress.
For older adults, feeling stressed is sometimes related to lack of social support or lacking a sense of belonging. As young people, we need to be aware of how important it is to regard others (young and old) as important and to take time to be a support or to offer a sense of belonging in their lives.
In London, there is a group of older adults who have been called together to form a musical group. They call themselves The Zimmers. Here is a link to one of their videos on YouTube that will help you understand that being old doesn't mean you have to be boring!
The Zimmers "My Generation" Video
Chronic Diseases
As people age, rates of acute diseases ( those that develop rapidly) decrease, and rates of chronic diseases (those that develop slowly and last at least three months) increase. Chronic diseases impact the lives of aging adults to different degrees, and some can be managed through medication and changes in lifestyle. Common chronic conditions include diabetes mellitus, cancer, arthritis, and incontinence. For more info on chronic and acute diseases, visit The Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Diabetes:
Diabetes can cause complications with kidneys, eyes, the nervous system, and circulation. In many cases, though, it can be managed through diet and exercise. Sometimes a weight loss of just ten pounds can make a huge difference. Eduation is pivital in battling this chronic condition.
The American Diabetes Association offers support groups, nutrition tips, and updates on current research for those suffering from diabetes.
Cancer:
As age increases, so does one's chances of getting cancer. Screening for these diseases and lifestyle changes are ways to help prevent the onset of cancer.
The National Cancer Institute shows how cells in the immune system work, helping one to understand what happens when they don't work properly (cancer).
The American Cancer Society offers information on support groups to help reduce anxiety and improve the quality of life for people with cancer.
Arthritis:
The pain of arthritis can make the simplest of tasks difficult for senior citizens. Reducing activity, however, actually makes the pain worse. The Arthritis Foundation lists ways older adults can change their lifestyle to cope with the pain, as well as recent research on the topic, and medication information.
Education and support can mean all the difference in the world for those suffering from chronic diseases.