As we age, our bodies (depending on our genetics and lifestyle) start to decline. It seems we have to spend more and more time in body maintenance mode just to stay the same!

Some of the fun things I am getting to experience first hand now are peanuts compared to what others go through – but still annoying.

I’m not fighting diabetes or breast cancer or the effects of stroke. I have full use of all my limbs and most of my faculties (lol).  But still.

For years and years my blood pressure remained constant and OK. Now in the past 6 months it has decided to reach for the sky! I’ve made no changes. I still exercise an hour a day and walk 2 miles at least 3 times a week. I still eat my fruits and veges and avoid eating out a great deal. I haven’t gained weight. So what is up? Part of it might be some stress I was under earlier this year. According to the Huffington Post article Stress And Aging: 5 Ways Chronic Stress Can Affect The Aging Process:

“In addition to speeding up heart rate and increasing blood pressure, production of the stress hormone adrenaline can also lead to temporary vision and hearing loss.”

They also state:

“Developing healthy habits is critical to aging well. Regular exercise protects the aging brain, and conversely, sleep deprivation can accelerate aging. And as you get older, good nutrition becomes increasingly important in how the body ages, according to WebMD.”

In the end, though, I’m going to blame it on my genes. I have a family history of hypertension.

Sure I will try to drop 10 or 15 pounds (hey the clothes will fit better too – right?). I’ll keep exercising and try to remove stress. I may even succeed in eating even more fresh foods and going easier on the salts, fats and sweets (this will be super hard for me). But, in the end, as with my high cholesterol, I think my genes will rule. I don’t want medication to control this new negative in my life, but I probably will need it. So now I’m in the market for a home blood pressure checker in hopes of tracking it back down to normal levels.

After menopause, I discovered that I (like many of you) have osteoarthritis. I had no symptoms at the time it was discovered. The guy doing my bone density scan found that I had both osteoarthritis in my spine AND osteoporosis…. darn bones!

Now, 5 years later, getting up in the morning has become a painful experience. I’m reminded of a comment my 90 year old uncle passed along from one of his peers. The guy told my uncle that he ‘woke up and thought I was dead’ – he woke up pain free! It seems to come and go in waves. If I do anything out of the ordinary, my spine tells me about it the next day! My wrists griped at me for 3 months after I abused them resetting the bricks in my sidewalk.

Guess it is time to try the glucosamine and chondroitin again. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. I just need to keep moving – walking, stretching, yoga and more!

Another fun thing that seems to be accelerating is the loss of cellulose in my arms and legs. Now I can truly ride down the road in my convertible with my arms a flapping – just like in those Hallmark cards. I doubt there is much to do about that except to hide the mess!

Slowing the signs and symptoms of aging is a never ending process which we will inevitably lose! Why bother? Although we can learn acceptance, we really should try – to maintain our fullest functioning body and as much self sufficiency as possible.

How do you combat the acceleration of aging?