Aging doesn’t happen in a moment when you turn 60 or 70. But it is a process that starts much earlier and unfolds gradually. While the experiences are different in different people, with few common patterns.
Physical changes with age
Your body will start evolving in diverse ways when you hit adulthood. There's a slowdown in metabolism in your 30s or 40s. This makes it easy to gain weight and difficult to shed it. Flexibility of joints also reduces, and post-workout recovery takes longer.
Moving in the 50s and beyond makes aging more visible as:
- Muscle mass decreases
- Skin loses elasticity
- Bones become thinner
There are also shifts in vision and hearing abilities. This makes reading glasses and high volume common signs of normal aging.
Cognitive and emotional shifts
Along with physical changes, aging also influences your mind and emotions. Cognitive ageing causes subtle changes in memory and duration of focus. Forgetting things becomes more common as we age. This is not something that is dementia, but is a normal part of ageing.
There are also emotional changes that come with ageing. These changes bring greater resilience and wisdom. Many older adults feel:
- More stable
- Less reactive
- Better able to handle stress
