Each day, an average of 80,000 baby boomers celebrate their fiftieth birthdays. Just as this post-war generation has been a trailblazer in so many other areas, it is turning the concept of aging upside down. As a whole, this is a generation determined to squeeze out every drop of their time here on this earth. In the process, they are making healthy aging both a priority and the norm.
For boomers, healthy aging encompasses both physical and mental health. As an example, the number of Americans who run marathons has increased exponentially over the past 20 years, and the biggest increase is found in the over-40 crowd. But even those who aren't pounding the pavement are staying active in a variety of ways, from regular trips to the gym to adventure sports like scuba diving and skiing.
In retrospect, the careers of baby boomers have taken a decidedly different trajectory than those of their parents. Unlike previous generations, baby boomers haven't experienced the security of staying with one employer for their entire adult lives. Instead, they have held a number of jobs, sometimes within the same industry, other times across industries. They've picked up new skills along the way and, between gains in the real estate market and savvy investing, have bigger nest eggs. As a result, they're retiring at an earlier age, and supplementing their retirement income by starting new businesses, engaging in consulting work, and taking part time jobs that allow them to follow their passions. For many baby boomers, retiring in their mid-fifties means that they have at least three more decades to enjoy life, so it behooves them to follow a path of healthy aging.
In the arena of women's health, more women are recognizing that the habits they developed in their twenties, thirties, and forties no longer serve them well. To maintain their health and beauty, they are turning to health food and health supplements, both of which can help them create more energy, gain mental clarity and focus, and lessen stress.
The truth is, most of the aging process occurs at the cellular level. Much of the cellular damage that occurs with aging is the result of free radicals. Long-term exposure to the UVA and UVB rays of the sun, eating charred meat, and other lifestyle choices can lead to the creation of free radicals in the body. These free radicals can cause cells to be damaged and can even contribute to cancer.
Health foods and health supplements, as well as healthy lifestyle choices, can promote healthy cellular regeneration. Healthy cells, in turn, mean healthy aging, which is something all baby boomers embrace.