Gaby
Your body doesn’t always match the age on your ID. Try a few quick checks to get a better sense of your true, functional age.
Quick Check
1. Measure your pulse before and after doing 30 squats. The difference in beats correlates with your health age:
- A difference of more than 40 beats — health age around 60 years;
- A difference of 30 to 40 beats — health age around 50 years;
- A difference of 20 to 30 beats — health age around 40 years;
- A difference of 10 to 20 beats — health age around 30 years;
- A difference under 10 beats — health age around 20 years.
2. Pinch the skin on your wrist, hold for five seconds, then release and watch how quickly normal color returns:
- Color returns in about 15 seconds — health age around 60 years;
- Color returns in about 10 seconds — health age around 50 years;
- Color returns in about 8 seconds — health age around 40 years;
- Color returns in about 5 seconds — health age under 30 years.
3. Stand and bend forward, trying to touch the floor with your palms. Evaluate the result:
- If your palms only reach your knees — health age over 60 years;
- If your hands reach only your shins — health age around 50 years;
- If your fingers touch the floor — health age around 40 years;
- If your palms rest flat on the floor — health age between 20 and 30 years.
4. Put your hands behind your back and try to clasp them at your shoulder blades:
- Unable to bring your hands behind your back — health age around 60 years;
- Cannot touch your hands together behind your back — health age around 40 years;
- Can just touch with your fingers — health age around 30 years;
- Can do it easily — health age around 20 years.
5. Close your eyes and balance on one leg without support, switching between left and right. How long can you hold the position:
- Can hold up to 10 seconds — health age over 60 years;
- Can hold about 15 seconds — health age around 50 years;
- Can hold about 20 seconds — health age around 40 years;
- Can hold over 30 seconds — health age around 20 years.
If the results aren’t satisfactory, work on improving your health.
Facing Aging
A fear of aging is called gerontophobia. That fear can show up as anxiety about losing beauty and strength or as a dislike of older people, who represent our own future.
Often the first signs of aging trigger an extreme reaction: some people try to fight or “cheat” time, while others spiral into depression.
Many people make the mistake of ignoring age-related changes. Acknowledging the years you’ve lived helps you adjust your lifestyle and appearance. Choices about behavior, clothing, makeup, and hairstyles can draw sympathy or respect from others, while neglecting self-care can lead to disdain. Giving up is not an option.
Even half an hour of muscle activity during the day can help with rejuvenation. Doctors emphasize regular walks, since a lack of movement harms blood vessels and raises blood sugar. Still, moderation matters: both too little activity and a sudden, dramatic increase in activity can put extra strain on your joints.
Embrace your age and face aging with dignity: adapt to new realities while staying curious about the world. A balanced lifestyle and moderate, healthful activities are the right approach.
