Pro-aging

I am concerned about changes I experience in my body as I get older. I stopped coloring my hair a few years ago, and the gray has taken over more territory. The cute wrinkles in the corners of my eyes are no longer so localized, or so cute. When I go to the gym, I find that I am more tired after long workouts and must rest for a while when I get home.

So I decided to develop some attitudes that will help me deal with these changes. I have become pro-aging. This means accepting the changes that occur as I get older, and enjoying life the way I am.

I generally like being pro-something rather than anti. Being in favor of something, for me, can more readily be associated with positive and supportive feelings, whereas being against things raises negativity and disagreement. Perhaps that’s why in the abortion controversy, people are either pro-choice or pro-abortion… everyone wants to be on the “pro” side.

For many years, our society has been anti-aging. There is a huge industry that developed in support of anti-aging, with lots of products, particularly creams and lotions. Some include retinol or collagen, and their goal is to moisturize, reduce wrinkles, and, as one of the ads says: “firm, lift and repair skin” in your face and neck. Sounds like a construction job. And something that needs repair usually means that it is faulty! I don’t like the implication of that. There’s nothing faulty about aging, a process that starts at birth.

Other than creams, technologies have also developed for anti-aging, including the use of botox, laser treatments and facelifts. These never appealed to me. In addition to their expense, it seemed they would just be temporary, and require maintenance, taking away from my time to do things I enjoy.

While men use some of these anti-aging products, most of them target women, in line with the emphasis in our culture on women staying youthful-looking. I have tried some of these creams, especially those purported to target wrinkles, but the truth is I am still aging. The creams that I use haven’t even made a dent in that process.

So I plan to stop being anti-aging, and embrace the fact that I am getting older, and the advantages it brings. It’s true that there are some negatives to aging, but there are many benefits, the major one of which is that I am still here. And I find that since retirement I can explore new interests, spend more time with people I love, and do things I never had time for, like writing this Blog! Even simple benefits like getting a seat on the bus, the reduced fare metrocard, and senior discounts at my local supermarket, bring me some pleasure.

And research has shown that there are health benefits to a pro-aging attitude. Those with a more positive view of aging tend to take better care of themselves, have an enhanced quality of life, and live longer.

But be wary- there appears to be a new industry emerging, products now labelled as pro-aging. Many of them appear to be relabeling of the anti-aging arsenal. But I don’t plan to use them, as I think the aging will take care of itself.