As people age, the body begins a “slowing down” process. This can result in a few more aches and pains and perhaps a reduction in the speed of thinking.
The good news is that there are also ways your health can improve as you get older. Read on to find out what they are and how you might be lucky enough to benefit.
1. Catch fewer colds
Each time you’re exposed to a virus or infection, your body logs and stores an “immune memory”. This makes it easier for your body to defend against reinfection next time.
In the case of the common cold, young adults can expect to catch two to three colds a year, but for people over 50 this drops to one or two.
However, since both the flu virus and Covid mutates, it’s still wise to get regular vaccinations to give yourself more protection.
2. Experience less stress
According to award-winning nutrition and health writer, Dr Emma Derbyshire, “Levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine become lower as we age […] We may also begin to feel more laid-back and less stressed about things that normally would have bothered us.”
All your years of handling and managing whatever life has thrown at you could also mean that you are better able to cope, and you won’t fret about the small stuff quite so much.
3. Enjoy a sharper brain
While the speed at which we process and retrieve information may slow down as we get older, this doesn’t mean that our thinking is less sharp.
If you make the most of your memory and use it regularly, that portion of your brain can actually improve when you get older.
In particular, women in their 40s, 50s and 60s tend to score higher on vocabulary and verbal memory tests than younger women.
4. Suffer milder allergies
Physiological changes in our bodies means that, after 50, we’re more likely to experience milder allergies. This is because our bodies no longer react as strongly to antigens.
This also means that, if you haven’t developed an allergy by the time you’re in your 50s, you probably never will.
So, if you suffer with hay fever, you may notice symptoms lessen. Food allergies may also reduce, but severe allergies are less likely to go away.
If you’re a dog owner, you may be in even better shape! Some research suggests that having a dog reduces your risk of developing asthma and other future allergies later in life. Experts suggest that this is because a dog brings more bacteria into your home. This, in turn, helps to strengthen your immune system.
5. Endure fewer migraines
Women are three times as likely to have migraines than men. For more than 50% women aged between 18 and 60, migraines are often connected with the hormonal flux of their menstrual cycle.
Thanks to the menopause, migraines are likely to become less severe and/or reduce in frequency. In some cases, they may stop altogether.
A reduction in migraines can be due to a drop in stress levels, too. According to research from the Royal Voluntary Service, 63% of people over the age of 70 feel more content than at any other point in their lives.
