NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
By: Frank E. Fain, PhD
The 2006 Cingular Orange Bowl was one of the greatest college football games ever played. The game matched the coaches ranked number one and two in NCAA Division One football coaching victories. It went to triple overtime before Penn State won the game with a field goal.
When historians record this game’s story I hope they do not lose the fact that both head coaches are senior adults. Florida State University’s Bobby Bowden is 76 and Penn State’s Joe Paterno is 79 years young. As they continue to be successful in what is considered a young man’s profession, these senior adult men are a testimony of the contributions seniors are making in society.
As I watched these two coaches match wits for over five hours I got to thinking, “Will I be active and healthy enough to make positive contribution to society when I am in my late 70’s?”
Then I remembered the Harvard Healthy Aging study which found that if around age fifty a person makes certain lifestyle changes, he/she can significantly increase their chances of living an active, healthy and productive life well past age eighty. Base on this study here are some 2006 New Year’s Resolutions emerging seniors may want to consider making.
Smoking – The study found smoking to be the most important single predictive factor of healthy aging. Individual’s who never smoke or quit smoking by age 50 were the healthiest people at age 80. Resolution: No matter what your age - stop smoking in 2006.
Healthy Weight –The negative effects of obesity to a person’s health were almost as bad as smoking. Obesity is directly linked to diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, aliments that greatly shorten and lessen the quality of life for many senior adults. Resolution: Take steps to lose or maintain healthy weight in 2006.
Alcohol Abuse – Alcohol abuse were found to be as bad for a person’s health as obesity. Fifty-year old individuals who over indulge in alcohol significantly shortened the length and quality of their life. Resolution: Stop alcohol consumption in 2006.
Regular Exercise – The positive effects of regular exercise on physical and psychosocial health as one ages was another significant finding in this study. Individuals who around age fifty made physical exercise a normal part of their everyday life were the most healthy, happy and socially involved eighty year olds. Resolution: Begin or continue a regular physical exercise program in 2006.
Stable Marriage – Being in a good stable marriage is nearly as important predictor of good health as regular exercise. Eighty-year old seniors in a supportive, loving and fulfilling marriage relationship were happier and more satisfied with their life. Resolution: In 2006 take steps to deepen and improve my marriage.
I hope in 2006 every emerging senior makes the necessary lifestyle changes that will lead him or her to be active, healthy and contributing eighty-year old in twenty to thirty years. Even if the only football glory we will enjoy at that age is passing the football around the back yard with our grand and great grandchildren.
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