A healthy old age, both biologically and mentally, is directly related to the preparations made in the youth. According to experts, having a purpose in life, strong social relationships, acquiring hobbies, being open to change and innovation and adopting a flexible approach to life will make the person's bond with life strong and can prevent aging even if they get older.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Specialist Clinical Psychologist Çiğdem Demirsoy said in a statement on October 1, World Elderly Day that old age should not be seen as a period of loss and regression.
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Çiğdem Demirsoy said the following:
Old age is not a period of decline and loss!
"Human beings always wish for "long life" but no one wants to grow old. However, old age is an inevitable physiological phenomenon. The body changes with age, inevitably some faculties weaken and it becomes difficult to do things that used to be easy to do. People experience old age in the same way they perceive and make sense of this natural, inevitable process that will inevitably happen to everyone. Old age should not be seen as a period of loss and decline. Of course, old age brings along some health problems and if you are not in good health, it is not easy to enjoy life not only in old age but at any age."
Life should be enjoyed
Stating that it is as important to enjoy life as it is to be healthy in order to enjoy life, Demirsoy said: "Even if the advancement of age brings some limitations to people, it is necessary to meet old age as "a problem to be overcome". Most people accept old age as it is and retreat. They often stop doing things that they cannot do as easily or successfully as before. If one cannot find anything else to do instead, there will be nothing left to enjoy. What we feel is mostly based on what we do and it is what we do that needs to be changed in order to enjoy life."
Invest in youth
Çiğdem Demirsoy stated that the best time to think about old age is actually at a young age,
"Because a lot can be done when you are young to enjoy old age. But not much thought is given to it before it happens. There are many things one can do to prepare oneself for old age, so that it does not take one by surprise. Having a purpose in life, being committed to a goal, an ideal, strong social relationships, acquiring hobbies, being open to change and innovation, and adopting a flexible approach to life will strengthen one's bond with life and prevent aging even as one gets older. The people we call "never aging" are those who are able to lead this kind of life."