Getting Older vs. Aging: What’s the Difference?

by | Oct 3, 2011 | Wellness Tips & Information

by Eudene Harry, MD

Getting older does not equal aging. Getting older is inevitable. It simply implies the passage of time. What we need to address is the aging process. This not only refers to the way we look on the outside, but also to what is taking place on the inside.

As we approach our forties and fifties, many of us begin to think about what it means to get older. We visualize our parents or other people we’ve witnessed in their journey through life. What may stand out in our minds is the fact that mom had problems with arthritis or dad suffered with heart disease. Images of nursing homes may then dance through our heads. In other words, we equate getting older with family history and poor quality of life. We may think we are destined to walk the same path.

Others may have been fortunate enough to have parents or grandparents who aged with grace and strength. They suffered no major illnesses. They continued their daily fitness routine. We might then think, surely we have good genes and therefore we are destined to age well.

I believe that it is a combination of environment and genetics that determine many things about us, including how well we age. Our belief system is also a very important part of our environment. So be very cognizant of what you believe:our body will also believe it.

Most of us tend to focus on the external signs of aging. We may see one too many wrinkles or feel that our skin is looser than it should be. What if we changed the way we view ourselves?

We could see those signs as an opportunity to take a closer look at ourselves. For example, wrinkles and loose skin may be pointing to an imbalanced hormonal system. They could also be telling us our minerals such as zinc, which helps us to maintain skin integrity, need replenishing. The mirror then becomes a tool for information and not criticism.

Some of us may be under the misconception that by changing the external appearance we have somehow halted the aging process. Even though the way we look greatly influences the way we feel about ourselves, it’s important to know that ignoring our inner age can produce dire consequences.

Inner age refers to the health of our organs and cells: heart, blood vessels, lungs, brain, etc.  It recognizes that aging of these organs can contribute to diseases such as hypertension, heart attacks, dementia, cancer, etc.

Getting older is inevitable, but aging isn’t. Listening to your body and adopting a healthy lifestyle can help you age well.

Yours in health,

Eudene Harry MD

www.livinghealthylookingyounger.com


About the Author

Dr. Eudene Harry MD is board certified in both Emergency Medicine and Holistic Medicine. Dr. Harry worked as an Emergency Medicine attending physician in Level II Trauma centers for well over a decade. During that time she became frustrated with seeing patients frequently returning to the emergency department with complications from the same chronic conditions. Though her responsibility as an Emergency Department attending was to treat the patient’s acute needs, her compassion wanted to see improvement and relief from the underlying chronic conditions causing the crisis. This led to a shift in focus in her medical practice. Dr. Harry opened her own practice to assist patients in addressing non-emergent health care needs. She is currently Medical Director for Oasis for Optimal Health, a wellness center that focuses on integrative holistic care.

About Manifest Excellence, LLC

Manifest Excellence, LLC supports people in improving personal wellness by addressing the five key areas that impact health. They combine over 20 years experience in traditional health promotion with a holistic and comprehensive wellness philosophy. This innovative combination provides effective tools and strategies for creating optimal health and wellness.

Donna Hamilton, MD, MS, FAAP
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