Five awesome things every woman needs to know about healthy aging

Dr. Christiane Northrup calls it the age cage.

It’s the ‘lockup’ we find ourselves in if we buy into the myths society perpetuates about what we should feel like, look like, be like, act like at a certain age.

Ageism is pervasive in our culture.

We are inundated with messages that tell us we’re going to deteriorate as we get older. We’re told we’re not as attractive, sexy or relevant as we used to be and to “lookout sista” because from now on it’s nothing but downhill.

Yikes. That would be seriously discouraging even if it was remotely factual. It’s not.

It’s crazy how the whole business is offered up as important, valuable information that we should jot down or at the very least relegate to a post-it-note so we don’t forget.  Of course we should universally nod our heads and say, “whewwww….thanks for the info I’ll go ahead and adjust my thinking so I can start desiring less, expecting less and being less.”

I have no time and no tolerance.

Nothing rankles my feathers more. I physically start to bristle every time hear it. My face scrunches up in a you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me grimace. My head shakes involuntarily.

This outdated concept of aging needs to be flipped on its it on its head. Followed by a mass break out of every inmate who’s held captive in an age cage.

It’s a Yummy Aging Revolution ladies!

First off we’re not meant to deteriorate and fade away.

Our bodies are constantly renewing themselves. Our best years are actually head of us, because we’re  bringing  forward deep pools of wisdom and a strong voice that only comes from experience and living true to ourselves. This puts us in a position to make our greatest contributions and find more meaning in life than we ever have.

As we age there is a stunning beauty that fills our being. It comes from accepting ourselves as we are. I know you’ve seen it.  It’s impossible to miss.

So ladies here’s my point – it’s (finally) time to dispel all limiting and negative beliefs about aging and embrace it with renewed energy and an inspired outlook. Then go forth and create a life filled with passion + purpose; energy and love. Live Big vs small.

Deal?

5 AWESOME THINGS EVERY  WOMAN NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AGING

1. The body has extraordinary power to renew

The body is renewing more than it is deteriorating. Here’s the low down on the extraordinary renewal process going on within our bodies right now. Literally you could be a whole new You in just a few months. Below are major organs and parts of the body and the time frame in which they renew themselves.

Liver (5 months) – The liver is known for its amazing capacity to repair and re-grow itself thanks to its rich blood supply. This means it can continue with its main job of flushing toxins out of the body. If you’ve ever wondered why even heavy drinkers can sometimes improve the state of their liver, it’s because liver cells only have a life span of around 150 days. ‘I can take 70 per cent of a person’s liver away in an operation and around 90 per cent of it will grow back within two months,’ explains David Lloyd, consultant liver surgeon at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Lungs (2 – 3 weeks) – The cells in the lungs constantly renew themselves, explains Dr Keith Prowse, vice-president of the British Lung Foundation.

However, the lungs contain different cells that renew at different rates. The alveoli or air sac cells –  needed for the exchange of oxygen and gases – deep in the lungs have a steady progress of regeneration that takes about a year. Meanwhile, the cells on the lung’s surface have to renew every two or three weeks.
Heart (20 years) – Until recently it was thought the heart couldn’t renew itself. However, a study at New York Medical College found it is actually dotted with stem cells that constantly rejuvenate it –  at least three or four times over a lifetime, say the researchers. So that’s approximately every 20 years the heart is renewed

Skin (2- 4 weeks) – The epidermis or surface layer of the skin is renewed every two to four weeks.  The skeleton is constantly replacing itself, explains Dr Peter Selby, an osteoporosis expert based at Manchester Royal Infirmary. It takes around ten years to do this completely.
Intestines – (2-3 days) Our intestines are lined with cells known as villi –  these are tiny, finger-like branches that increase the surface area and help the intestine to absorb nutrients. They have a very high turnover rate and can be replaced every two to three days, explains Tom MacDonald, professor of immunology at Barts and the London Medical School. This is because they are constantly exposed to chemicals such as highly corrosive stomach acid that breaks down food, so they’re constantly under attack. The rest of the intestine protects itself with a layer of mucus, although this barrier cannot withstand the stomach acid for long – so the cells here renew themselves every three to five days.

Red blood cells (4 months) –  These are the body’s vital transport system, carrying oxygen to every living tissue and carrying waste away. They wear out every four months, after which the liver removes any remaining iron that is needed for healthy red blood cells before the remaining cell is destroyed in the spleen.

Taste buds (10 days) – The tongue is covered with around 9,000 taste buds that help us to detect sweet, salty, bitter or sour flavors, explains Professor Damian Walmsley, scientific adviser to the British Dental Association. The taste buds themselves are a collection of cells on the surface of the tongue, each housing about 50 taste cells. The buds renew themselves every ten days to two weeks.

Want to know more? Read this.

2. We are a healthy, fit and gorgeous generation

We’ve come a long way since the time of our mothers. Now, our average lifespan is 82.5 years.

We’re running marathons (well, some of us are), partaking in all kinds of physical activity, taking up new sports at midlife, I have a friend who in her late 50’s started playing water polo (deemed the toughest sport in the world) the game she loved and played as a young woman. Holy Moly I say! We wear contact lenses or have Lasik surgery, get our teeth straightened (me) and bump up self-care (many of us for the first time) with facials and  body therapy. Some of us are colouring our hair and others blessed with the beautiful silvery white are going au natural. We have role models alike model Yasmina Rossi who looks naturally gorgeous at age 60.

Bring it on! You’ve never been better.

Read this – Healthy and Vibrant is the New Way to Age

3. We are Sensuous, Sexy and Seductive

We love sex! Well some of do and some don’t, but, isn’t this true for every age group? One great bonus is that we no longer have to worry about getting pregnant. So we can have all the fun with no consequences. [note: for those navigating the dating scene get up to speed on how you must protect yourself.  A lot has changed. The rise of STD’s is highest in the 50+ set]

Sex and Erotic Desire – Esther Perel is a New York based sex therapist and author of Mating in Captivity: Reconciling the Erotic and the Domestic. She studies the mysteries of erotic desire and shares what women want, “I want my partner to be my best friend, trusted confidant and passionate lover all in one AND for 50 years. I need security but I want adventure, novelty, risk and surprise.”  

In a compelling, poignant and highly engaging TED TALK, Perel provides understanding, insight and practical concepts for fueling the flame of erotic desire.

TED TALK with Esther Perel

Sex and Seduction – In this captivating TED TALK Chen Lizra illustrates the Power of Seduction (I’m in) and offers it as a valuable life skill we all possess. It is unleashed by accessing our inherent charm, vulnerability and confidence and knowing what we want and having the willingness to go after it. That’s the being true to ourselves part! I’m feelin’ it.

 4. We are in touch and technologically adept

And don’t think otherwise! We are the fastest growing demographic on Facebook and Pinterest. We’ve got GPS in our cars, tablets on our coffee tables and mobile phones in our purses.

We’re plugged into iPods, iPads, iClouds, and iTunes. We thrive on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites. We have embraced technology like a second skin (ok, that’s possibly a small exaggeration), if only to keep up with what’s happening in the world and connect with others. We even shop online – all over the world. Technology Queens I’d say

5. We are not afraid of change or anything NEW

In our 50s, we are finally able to start drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, weaving or glass blowing (to name a few) classes. We’re aware of the health benefits of creativity.  The Mayo Clinic recommends the health benefits of engaging in creativity. A four-year study found that people who took up creative endeavors at middle age suffered less memory loss.

Aha! How’s them apples??

We’re traveling, starting new careers, raising money for charities, volunteering and taking on exciting opportunities. I have another friend – a 50+ single woman- who just relicensed her motorcycle. Call her fearless and free!

So…..do we fear change or new things? Not by a long shot.

So there you go. Society obviously has it wrong. But if it must persist in ‘trying’ to confine maturity to the age cage. Let ‘em. We don’t have to accept the invitation to enter. We can stay outside and help those inside to escape.  We can live BIG and by doing so make the age cage quarters look as tiny, cramped and narrow as they are.  Besides has any one told ‘society’ that the numbers are against them? Today one in three Canadians and Americans are over 50. Yesssiree! Those age cages don’t stand a chance. Unless of course they are to house those who are in earlier stages of development. That might work. Just keeping them safe until they’re ready to fly.

What new challenges are you taking on in Life Part II Do you want to travel? Buy yourself a motorcycle? Unleash your creativity? Awaken your sexual self? Are you ready for something completely different? Take one small step today. It will feel great! Tell a friend what you’ve done or email me – cheryl@redshoezone.ca I’m your biggest cheerleader!

 PS Please share this with any women you know stuck in an age cage and unable to reach full, glorious potential.