OT: anti aging

[1041]

Anti aging therapy carries a fringe connotation, kind of
like being a vegan or a "hippie." However it really is
just hoping to maintain quality of life as long as
possible.

It seems that the goal of health boils down to a few
buckets. It's both a negative and positive definition.
Avoid a few basic pitfalls and keep a few basic abilities
and it's almost defined that you will enjoy life.

(1)
Lack of pain - I noticed this that when my teeth were
hurting, try as I might I could not really keep a good
mood. No matter what I said to myself or retreated to a
happy place. When I took some pain killers, as soon as
pain went away I was happy (er) again.

(2)
Basic bodily functions - hearing, seeing, being able to
walk*, eat and digest. If one loses any of these
abilities one may not be in pain, but one cannot really
live life / life has significantly changed.

(3)
Brain function - you must be able to understand enough of
what's going on around you to navigate the world as well
as interact socially. You need to be able to remember
things.

(4)
Mood - assuming having enough ENERGY to carry out the
tasks of life falls into category #2, mood is the last
piece. I have had times where I had plenty of physical
ability and brain function to do things, yet some weight
in my head - call it sadness, call it apathy - prevents
me from getting up and doing stuff.

*I should say being able to get around by oneself.

What would you add or amend?

[Julie]

I'd definitely scrap #2 when it comes to seeing and hearing - a whole lot of people out there would disagree with that (though I understand what you meant). But I think you could add one thing - losing the depression or 'down' that had you write all that stuff... life can still be fun and interesting on whatever level you allow it to - all it takes is a little rethinking... I think .

[quietmorning]

I stopped dying my hair a long time ago, but the plastic surgery industry and the beautician industry proves that people are very concerned about not LOOKING old.

I kinda like it myself.

[DreamStalker]

We live only as a vehicle for our DNA.
Eveyrhing and anything else that comes of it.
Is your responsibility and your choice.

[chunkyfrog]

As it turns gray, my hair is the best color and texture it's ever been!

[quietmorning]

As it turns gray, my hair is the best color and texture it's ever been!

I agree. My grandmother had the most beautiful salt and pepper hair - I couldn't wait until mine started turning.