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YOUNGER NEXT YEAR

29/06/2023 13:07:00 Chris Morgan

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THE reader will immediately wonder what compelled the writer to deliver such an apparently illogical sentence.

Well, it was intended to alert the reader to the opportunity to be in better shape a year after starting a simple programme (see later); effectively becoming a year younger. Does that sound good? Worth reading about? And guiding yourself into a fully inclusive route to adding years and maximising the quality of those extra years? And at no personal financial cost? What a deal! No, this is not a sports article; but you’re getting warm. It is sharing an opinion on how best to maximise your chances of living longer; and enjoying those extra years. The fact that it may involve sporting activity, with or without a strenuously competitive element, is immaterial. The title ‘Younger next Year’ is in fact that of a best-selling book written by two exceptional Americans a few years ago. One of the two was an eminent medic, specialising in the ageing process, and the other was a retired lawyer. As you can imagine, the doctor’s contribution was one of medical analysis, while the other writer introduced very special writing skills, giving the book a true 21st century feel, both in his own contributions and those of his fellow-writer.

The book sold millions of copies, no doubt having triggered, among the readers of the world, a clear reminder of what they can do for themselves, in the park or anywhere depending on the choice of activity.This article is not exclusively for old people; far from it. But it includes old people. And it doesn’t matter how old you are. But if the youth will forgive me for one week, it is essentially for the middle-aged and elderly. They’re the ones that may need saving if they don’t already follow the code. And, to do a reality check, the youngsters are already spending far more time consulting their smartphones than reading the national dailies, except perhaps the sports pages, checking what Messi or Ronaldo are driving these days.

Exercise

The essence of the book – and especially this article - is that if you exercise regularly you will live longer. And it’s never too late to start. An elderly American reader started exercising very late in life and it had such a profound impact on his physical condition that he bought 200 copies to distribute to his friends. He must have been a nice guy to have two hundred friends; and quite well off too. But the message is there.There are tides in our lives. When we are young the tide is behind us. Physically, unless very unfortunate, we keep going forward regardless of what we do, or fail to do. But then the tide runs out of steam – usually around 30 to 40 years of age – and middle age starts seeing you change, especially round the middle (lol). And if you do nothing about it, your earthly life expires considerably earlier than it needs to.Thousands of years ago we were hunter-gatherers. Even today there are groups of people around the world who walk 15 kilometres a day to find food, running and stretching, vigorously inter-reacting. Such activity feeds the brain as well as the body. But life changed for most of the world’s population; and in so many ways for the better. But at the same time it caused changes that were not good. The modern, largely sedentary lifestyle for most, with the junk food, too much TV, day-to-day stress and, worst of all, no exercise, gives rise to that healthy period of springtime on the savannah leaving us all too early.

So, enough of the lecture; what do we do about it? You may be a super-fit, yoga fanatic, running five kilometres, and doing 100 push-ups and squats a day. In which case, you are permitted to switch immediately to the sports pages where you’ll meet the youngsters and their phones who are already getting all that, or similar, activity. But if you do not have a healthy activity lifestyle, then it’s time to start. Please remember the old Chinese saying: ‘In the journey of 1000 miles, it is the first step that’s the biggest.’ And please don’t forget, you don’t have to be running. Set up with one or more good friends, and walk, swim or cycle, for one hour a day for three to five days a week, ensuring your pulse rate throughout is 90-100 beats per minute (a rough approximation). You will live longer unless you’re very unlucky medically, and with the strengthening from push-ups (or weights) and squats you’ll make those extra years more enjoyable.Where to start? No better place than Parkrun, a five kilometres walk or run round an open green space, starting at Mbabane and Manzini Clubs every Saturday at 8am. It’s a global phenomenon, growing like crazy in over 2000 locations in 22 countries. Free of charge, including tea/coffee refreshments; and entirely egalitarian, whether socially, financially or athletically. The great athletes shine, and the older people welcomed into their local community and helped to reduce the loneliness that age can bring. The Parkrun family is fantastic; so caring and encouraging.