Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Tuesday Talk

50 Is The New 30

Do you believe that 50 is really the new 30? Like pink is the new black? Or is all this self-deluding?
Or the creation of beauty companies trying to cash in on the vanity, or insecurity of older women, and men.

It sure sounded good when I first heard it. I was hopeful that the line came from medical experts after studying the health of people in that age group, and concluding that these days people (read:women) in their 50s are healthier, comparable to those in their 30s.

But, as it turned out, it did not come from medical experts. Nonetheless, it came from health experts. That's good enough.

Anyway, I think there's some truth in that catchphrase. After all, it is a fact that more and more people are adopting and embracing healthier lifestyles.

In my aerobics class, there are "aunties" who look 10 years younger than they really are. And it's not just the exterior. They look fit but more importantly, they feel good.

But here's one person who thinks that all this 50 isn't the new 30 in his book. Although, not a believer, he is positive about our aging process.

But please don't be in denial, he cautions. If you're 50, you have to accept that you are.

"Research clearly indicates that our attitude matters for our physical and emotional health and well being. But denial can be destructive if we don't attend to the natural limitations of our bodies and mind as we age," said pychologist Dr Thomas Plante.

"50 is 50 but there are lots of things that we can do for our body, mind, and spirit as we age to increase the odds that our aging process isn't so bad and perhaps is even pretty darn good," he said.

Read more HERE.

Be that as it may, it's heartening to remember that "50 is the new 30" did not emerge from nowhere.

I believe strongly that you're as old or as young as you want to be!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree. There's a lot of healthy 50 to 70 year olds compared to unhealthy below 30 year olds.

Partly, it's due to eating habits with more food choices and availability.

Also, it's due to stress. In the 1950s to 1960s, if a student obtained grade 1 in SPM, he or she could become somebody.


Now, you have to get 15 As, a school prefect, be a football star, have excellent social skills, be a member of Persatuan Tolong Menolong Komuniti, a member of Kelab Hijau Cinta Alam Semesta, grade 8 in piano, etc to move up the ladder.

Or if you're lucky, have connections, then your stress levels are not so bad.

Basree Rakijan said...

i wanted to be millionaire when i was 30 but failed to achieve that. now at late 40s i am still not a millionaire.

terasa macam mengejar pelangi pulak!

Anonymous said...

Ma'am,

I am one of those few people who got married late (34). What to do, fate was slow with me. God granted us two healthy children. The eldest is now 19yrs and the other just turned 17. I am at the stage of my life when I should be slowing down according to what nature demands, but the kids are growing up, I need to be up and about, there for them. The risk of sickness and falls are everywhere. So, I try my best to keep healthy, vitamins and supplements, exercise, restrain some "bad" eating habits and indulges whenever these appear. Friends of my age are already into 2nd childhood (having grandkids), pushing baby strollers and babytalk. I attend PIBG's and I see so many parents who looked harressed and breathless. Worried for their kids studies, etc. And they are hardly in their 50's. So sad.

Iza's mak

Unknown said...

..a man of fifty will always feels that he is 30..he is of that age when he will grab at anything that he may retain his youth..including a few trophy wives..:).the catch-phrase must have been started by some delusional 50yr-olds..:) men, most probably..
..being healthier is just that - healthier..it does not make us younger..

Anonymous said...

Hmm.. someone once told me .. you are only as young as the partner you feel.

hak55 said...

I have always been 27 since I was 27 many years ago.

hak55

Anonymous said...

Years ago, many books away, Mark Twain had this to say....

"Age is just about mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter"

Now who's counting???