Acing the age: A Gendered Perspective

Unfolding Aging

Have  you ever looked at the old pictures andi giggled after seeing it? 

Well most of us would definitely have done this: as we see ourself we start to wonder how different we look now; well this is precisely what aging is ; it's a beautiful journey from tight, soft skinned cutie to loose, wrinkled skinned beauty. In the language of science, it is a progressive physiological change in an organism that leads to senescence or old age. Ageing is like reaching new levels of life, and your wrinkled skin and grey hair are the testimony of life experience.

But what causes Aging?

Well there are many factors that can cause aging; a few of them are mentioned below :

• Biological Factors: There are various biological factors that contribute to the aging of a person; it includes factors like  DNA damage , shortening of telomeres, which are the protective caps on the end of chromosomes, alteration in gene expression,oxidative stress etc.

• Environmental Factors: The environmental factors like exposure to polluted air , ultraviolet radiation , contaminated water , etc. increases the aging process .

• Dietary preferences: Diet becomes an immensely important factor when it comes to aging .Having wrong food preferences can lead to faster aging. Following are some dietary habits which can accelerate  aging in humans:

1. Diets high in refined sugars and processed food

2. Excessive consumption of alcohol, smoking etc.

3. Trans fats ,often found in processed and fried food items

4. High Salt diet

5. Processed meat, refined carbs etc.

• Other factors: The social , psychological, spiritual and cognitive factors are some factors that directly affect the skin and can fasten the aging process.

Who ages faster Men or Women?

Well this is an age-old debate  about who ages faster, men or women , and we are yet to have  a convincing scientific report to draw any conclusion .However there’s many reports that have suggested that a woman ages faster than the men.

So what sets these two Genders apart that Results in faster Aging of one ?

There are some hormonal and  biological factors that make aging in one faster and slower in another.

They are :

1. Hormonal Differences

• Menopause: Women witness a rapid decrease in level of progesterone and estrogen postmenopausal, which results in acceleration of skin aging , bone loss and other changes.

• Testosterone: On the contrary , the level of testosterone in men gradually decreases over time ; there is no rapid loss like in case of menopause in women.

• Genetics: Men and women possess different genetic predispositions to aging related conditions.

• Length of Telomere: The telomeres tend to shorten fastly in men, potentially causing faster aging than women.

• Collagen: Generally, womens tend to retain more collagen that helps them in gradual aging.

Apart from these reasons, factors like diet , stress management ,environment etc. plays a crucial role in aging of a person.

Signs of Aging in Men and Women

Aging directly affects physical ,psychological or emotional wellbeing of an individual be it a man or a woman but the signs of aging in both the genders may be different because of dissimilar body. However some signs remain same in aging irrespective of the gender. The following signs of aging can be spotted in a person : 

Physical Signs

When a person starts to age older and older , he/she goes through so many physical changes. The aging can be witnessed in them by  given physical signs:

• Changes in skin ,hair and nails: When a person ages , their skin tends to get wrinkled due to loss of collagen .Aging also causes greying of hair and thickening of nails. It can make nails more brittle.

• Decrease in flexibility: A person may become less flexible with age because the fluid between the joints decreases. The ligaments and muscle fibers may also shorten, which can make the joints feel stiff. A loss of flexibility can cause general pain and discomfort and can increase your risk of falling down.
  

• Vulnerabilities to diseases:The aging may make a person more vulnerable to disease like heart problems, because over time the cardiovascular system becomes less effective .

Psychological changes

Aging has significant effect on psyche of a person; and it can show following signs:

• Reduced self regulation: When we start aging ,certain aspects of our executive functional skills may change . It is easily noticeable in older people . Most of the older adults see a decrease in their attention span and focus. Their working memory may decline as well. But on the brighter side,the  decision-making capability of older people  tends to improve with age because they’re able to apply their wisdom and experiences to make informed decisions.
  

• Cognitive decline :The  cognitive decline is one of the most common psychological effects of the aging process. The aged people might  struggle to remember someone’s name, address or the  topics they were talking about in the middle of a sentence. Some senior citizens may face more severe challenges with memory loss, but mild forgetfulness  is a typical part of aging.

• Slower Reflex Action:The aged people  often have slower reflexes than younger adults. They might need longer time to process the information and craft a response. Well,it can be extremely irritating for the senior citizens ; they might also feel helpless as they are not as sharp as they used to  be but it isn’t a sign of fading intelligence. It's just that they're taking a few extra minutes to process it.

• Decreased Dopamine: Dopamine is a chemical messenger also called neurotransmitter  that works in the brain. It helps nerve cells send messages to each other. It is produced by cells deep in the brain and acts on cells in other parts of the brain. As the dopamine levels decline, one may not be able to get as intense of a feeling of pleasure or reward from certain activities or substances. However, it  can also be beneficial.  Because of lower dopamine one is unlikely to engage in risky adventures or act impulsively.

• Increased self consciousness: As we grow old, we become more aware about our changing bodies. This increased self-consciousness can sometimes lead to feelings of fear or anxiousness  However ,It’s important to remember that while our bodies may change, our minds and spirits remain stronger.

• Health Anxiety: Older adults are more vulnerable to develop chronic health conditions, and experiencing a medical emergency. Even if an elderly person is in great shape and looks fitter, they might  still experience anxiety about their health. If they're diagnosed with a serious medical condition, they'll be anxious about it throughout their lifespan.

• Grief and Loss: As we navigate through life, loss can hit at any time, but it often feels more frequent as the years pass by. With our spouse, siblings, and friends aging alongside us, the loss of loved ones can be one of the most dreadful and depressing experiences. Aging brings natural changes, both physical and emotional, that can sometimes be hard to navigate. 

How to hit the pause button on Aging?

Everyone wants to grow old but none wants to look old , so many of you must have wondered if there's a way to delay aging or not;

Well, you cannot delay the age, but what you can do is delay its sign.  There are no. of things that you can do to delay your aging . Let's dive it in:

What you eat reflects on your skin.

If you want to keep up with the youth, pack your plate with colorful fruits, veggies, nuts, and omega-3-rich fish. And yes, drink all the water; dehydration is a fast track to wrinkles.  

2. Let your body Move 

Be it yoga, dancing, or just a brisk walk, staying active is your route to anti-aging . Exercise pumps up your endorphins and keeps everything, including your skin, nice and tight.  

3. Sleep tight 

Well, beauty sleep isn’t a myth. When we snooze, our body repairs itself. Aim for 7-8 hours and watch those dark circles vanish away.  

4. Skincare = Self-Care

Take care of your skin as skin care is self care. In order to do so, don’t skip the SPF ever. Add a good moisturizer and a vitamin C serum to the mix, and you’re golden.  

5. Keep yourself stress-free

Easier said than done, right? But stress is like a fast-forward button for aging. Meditate, laugh more, or tune into your favourite show or movie. Happier the head is , healthier the skin will be.  

6. Ghost the Bad Habits 

Smoking and too much booze are gateways of faster aging,if you want to age gracefully. Swap that vape or cigar for a green smoothie, and you’re good to go 

While it's important to maintain ourselves, it's also important to understand that aging is a privilege; Remember, it’s all about balance. Aging is a prerogative, but there’s no harm in doing it stylishly, right?

Recapitulation 

Aging is an inescapable part and ultimate truth of our  life, it's a beautiful odyssey that tells the story of life experiences, hardships, growth, and development.The process of aging might be faster in women ,(though there's no scientific report to finalise that ) as per many claims, but it's important to remember it is not a race; it's a natural phenomenon. Its important to understand that while aging brings morphological and psychological  changes, it’s also a testament to a life well-lived. Embracing these transitions with grace and wisdom is as significant as taking care of our body and mind to delay its signs. By consuming right, staying active, reducing stress, and practicing self-care, we can slow the aging process while cherishing the beauty and privilege of growing older.  

At the end of the day, aging is not just about adding years to life—it’s about adding life to the years.

It is not a matter to mourn about, it's a matter to celebrate the glorious years of our life. So, let’s celebrate every wrinkle, every grey strand, and every moment as a mark of strength, resilience, and a life beautifully lived!

Related Products by Blue Nectar:

Vitamin C Face Serum for Radiant & Spotless Skin (9 Herbs, 30ml)

Shubhr Anti Aging Cream for Women with Saffron and Sandalwood (14 Herbs, 50g)

Kumkumadi 24K Gold Face Serum for Advanced Skin Repair and Firming (24 herbs)

Related Articles:

Anti aging facial yoga exercise you can do at home

How to Prevent Aging Skin with Anti-Aging Face Brightness Cream

Should you stop smiling if you want to stop aging

References:

https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness

https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/10/health/10skin.html

https://aptmedicalaesthetics.com/blog/how-to-restore-collagen-in-the-face/?srsltid=AfmBOopn9tp4ZQvHK_Gq4bKaX64TVpr70RBT_u4PyXWXmLk7uVXOTTQq