Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Aging Is Good! We are amid a revolution! A demographic revolution. Did you know that the world currently holds more people over 50 than at any other time in history? Older people continue to defy expectations, too: by staying healthier and active, engaging their hearts and minds, and working-and living-longer. But if that's the case, then why does ageism still run rampant in our society-especially toward women? You hear comments made. online and on public TV, you meet people who judge you by your wrinkles. While it is illegal to discriminate against people due to their age, the mentality of devaluating older people is simply there. As we get older, it's natural to struggle with the gradual deterioration of our physical body. Yes, we develop wrinkles and our skin and muscles do not have elasticity from the 20s. But we also need to be cognizant of our aging mind-particularly when it comes to our memory. The brain is a truly remarkable organ. It holds an enormous quantity of information. But sometimes it fails us in very simple situations: you can remember so much, yet you forget where you left your keys? We all experience both physical and mental changes when we age, but people with a positive mindset about aging live an average of 7.5 years longer than those without. And they tend to have a more fulfilling life and stay busy. It has been instilled in us since we were young and first entered the workforce: you must start now to plan and save for your retirement. But older people who are healthy do not want to retire! They want to continue feeling useful and engaged. And the aging process, while inevitable, can progress in many ways. It works in a combination: those who stay active and engaged feel better and live longer, and those who live longer want to remain engaged and useful. It is crucial to equally take care of your mind and body during the aging process. And you need to start long before you are called 'older: Healthy lifestyle, including eating and sleeping habits, exercise, positive attitude, social activity, and regular medical care are all crucial throughout our adult life in general. Positive human interactions and animal interactions have been proven to lower blood pressure. Exercise helps stress elimination. Healthy food and water intake make your body more physically fit and look younger. We should start practicing those healthy habits as early as possible and teach our children to do the same. Certainly, we live in an ever-changing world of technology and environment and many of the healthy' things are out of our control. Just recently, we learned about statistical data of harmful influence of social media on our youngsters. There are many examples of people being isolated and isolating themselves due to more computer interactions than human interactions. We will not know the full impact of these tendencies on aging until many years into the future, but you can easily predict it will not look good. We see a lot of seniors in our practice and many of them do suffer from chronic diseases. But many of them stay active and positive. Many work well beyond their 70s. Many others travel or volunteer. They enjoy newly attained freedom from dense schedules and long hours, and they go to bed at 9 and get up at 5 to listen to the birds at sunrise. Many continue their hobbies and interests, and they love to interact about those. And most of them share their valuable life experience with all of us. Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Aging Is Good ! We are amid a revolution ! A demographic revolution . Did you know that the world currently holds more people over 50 than at any other time in history ? Older people continue to defy expectations , too : by staying healthier and active , engaging their hearts and minds , and working - and living - longer . But if that's the case , then why does ageism still run rampant in our society - especially toward women ? You hear comments made . online and on public TV , you meet people who judge you by your wrinkles . While it is illegal to discriminate against people due to their age , the mentality of devaluating older people is simply there . As we get older , it's natural to struggle with the gradual deterioration of our physical body . Yes , we develop wrinkles and our skin and muscles do not have elasticity from the 20s . But we also need to be cognizant of our aging mind - particularly when it comes to our memory . The brain is a truly remarkable organ . It holds an enormous quantity of information . But sometimes it fails us in very simple situations : you can remember so much , yet you forget where you left your keys ? We all experience both physical and mental changes when we age , but people with a positive mindset about aging live an average of 7.5 years longer than those without . And they tend to have a more fulfilling life and stay busy . It has been instilled in us since we were young and first entered the workforce : you must start now to plan and save for your retirement . But older people who are healthy do not want to retire ! They want to continue feeling useful and engaged . And the aging process , while inevitable , can progress in many ways . It works in a combination : those who stay active and engaged feel better and live longer , and those who live longer want to remain engaged and useful . It is crucial to equally take care of your mind and body during the aging process . And you need to start long before you are called ' older : Healthy lifestyle , including eating and sleeping habits , exercise , positive attitude , social activity , and regular medical care are all crucial throughout our adult life in general . Positive human interactions and animal interactions have been proven to lower blood pressure . Exercise helps stress elimination . Healthy food and water intake make your body more physically fit and look younger . We should start practicing those healthy habits as early as possible and teach our children to do the same . Certainly , we live in an ever - changing world of technology and environment and many of the healthy ' things are out of our control . Just recently , we learned about statistical data of harmful influence of social media on our youngsters . There are many examples of people being isolated and isolating themselves due to more computer interactions than human interactions . We will not know the full impact of these tendencies on aging until many years into the future , but you can easily predict it will not look good . We see a lot of seniors in our practice and many of them do suffer from chronic diseases . But many of them stay active and positive . Many work well beyond their 70s . Many others travel or volunteer . They enjoy newly attained freedom from dense schedules and long hours , and they go to bed at 9 and get up at 5 to listen to the birds at sunrise . Many continue their hobbies and interests , and they love to interact about those . And most of them share their valuable life experience with all of us . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net