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Active Aging
How old is too old?
I’ve been thinking about a comment made by Laura M. Quainoo, who asked “how old is too old?” She mentions how the seniors she knows have become more isolated and less active due to Covid, and of the resulting effect on their quality of life. We had a nice conversation in the comments. [The comments section of Medium.com is where you meet some really caring, thoughtful people!]
In my years as a fitness instructor, working with the senior population (in most places in the US, that’s 55 and older), I have seen spry 95-year-olds and sedentary 55-year-olds. I have always been curious about how aging changes our physical health, and if some of those changes are somewhat preventable.
I do not judge. Honestly! I have dealt with my own mental illness throughout my life, and I know how depression and anxiety can sap the energy from the body. Someone who appears to be fit and young for their age, may actually feel like they are 100 due to a lifetime of stress. That is one of the reasons that my main goal as a fitness instructor is to lead a class that is full of fun and laughter.
