6 Reasons You Feel Like You Are Getting Old

While everyone ages at different rates, one thing all humanity shares is the fact that getting old is normal. We may put attractive labels on it, such as aging gracefully or advancing in years, but the truth is that there are multiple reasons you are getting old. Some of them may be associated with the reasons you feel you are getting old, and some may not. Genetics can play a huge role in your ability to feel like you are getting old or not.

6 Reasons You May Feel Like You’re Getting Old

Nonetheless, here are six reasons you may feel like you are getting old:

1. Your skin has less color in it than it did a few years ago. When you notice a paler skin tone than what you’re used to, this can be an early sign of the aging process. Similarly, rough, blotchy skin can be a symptom of aging. Paying attention to the appearance of your skin can, over time, warn you that aging is imminent.
2. Your heart rate doesn’t increase as much as it did when you exercise. If you were an athlete or just an active person, you’ve probably monitored your heart rate at times. This can be surprising if you’re used to having a higher beat-per-minute and it’s suddenly much lower. The heart rate struggles to “kick in,” which in some, may contribute to the early onset of diseases such as hypertension or diabetes if left unchecked.
3. You’re getting injured more often, or you find yourself with aches and pains that you didn’t use to have. These are common symptoms of getting old. We think we can do what we did when we were in our twenties or thirties, but as we age, our bone density declines, and this makes movement a little slower and more trying.
4. Remembering the word you want to use has become increasingly challenging. Little forgetful moments and/or trying to remember someone’s name are common tale-tell signs that you are aging. You might even be mid-sentence, trying to describe how your vacation went, and the word that you wanted to use just slips away. This is more common than you think, and you don’t need to be afraid.
5. If you are married, you may begin to notice that your sexual relationship isn’t as easy as it once was. As people get older, changes in hormones and your partner’s hormones can be contributors. Yet there is no shame in needing some counsel in this area of your relationship, even if you’ve never sought advice for it before.
6. You feel lonely or out of touch. Feelings of being alone or not understanding the next generation’s topics of interest can sometimes go along with aging. But getting old isn’t something to bemoan or fear the worst about – there are many things you can do, learn, and remind yourself so that getting old is a mark of maturity, not a mask for archaism.

Some of the remedies to the physical ailments mentioned as signs of getting old are not challenging to remedy. Getting adequate amounts of sleep, eating nutritious foods, and managing portion sizes are just a few. Adding in gentle walking and light strength training can also protect you from brittle bones and sore muscles.

However, other remedies – those dealing with metacognition and mental health – can be tougher to identify and know how to begin the healing process. But the first way to start that journey is to identify where your feelings of, for example, loneliness come from.

Do they come from feeling like you are missing the conversation at family gatherings? Is it because you struggle to hear what others are saying or don’t understand the topic? Simple fixes such as a hearing aid can solve the first issue. The second has a long-term solution.

Try to ask for help from close friends and family members who don’t struggle with the next generation’s topics of conversation. If they are talking about the latest hashtag craze or TikTok dare, you can feel more part of the group by asking to see the video. The simple act of asking and staying curious can help combat this feeling of loneliness.

Another root of loneliness could be a lack of routine or a lack of feeling “needed.” If you are retired, this is the time to explore interests and volunteer activities that you didn’t have time for when you worked full time. Have you always wanted to try kayaking or wish you’d taught English to non-native speakers?

Explore your local community center or library to see if there are classes and opportunities to volunteer. Some communities even have senior events where you can gather with others to travel, play sports, and take classes of interest.

Making sure you have a routine after retirement is also a “win” in the race toward getting old. Some of this will evolve as you express an interest in learning, serving, and being active in your local community. But some of it will need to be flexed, just like a muscle.

For years, you may have had to wake up to an alarm clock that struck six a.m. But once you are retired, while you may choose to sleep a little later, you still need wake and sleep times. These give you a sense of normalcy that you won’t find in a more haphazard schedule.

Trying something new is also a way to combat the feeling of getting old. While it’s normal to reminisce and even grieve over what you were able to do before, it is also okay to feel excitement, joy, or happiness. These emotions can come from trying new things. If you’ve never tried to play the violin, you may assume it is too late. But why not?

Let your curiosity guide you, not just in getting to know the next generation, but also in what you’ll learn next. While routine, trying new things and staying curious are all great tools in the aging process, sometimes you just need someone else to talk to. That’s where a trained counselor can help.

Christian Counseling for Aging Issues

Contacting a counselor who specializes in aging and geriatric issues may be the place to begin. We have many counselors whom you can trust with your questions. These licensed counselors want to help you through this new season of life. You can expect their patience, their willingness to help, and their listening skills.

You can be ready to share your struggle, your needs, or your questions at the first appointment. Letting your counselor get to know why you’re there is a good idea, and that way he/she can tell you if he/she is the right counselor for you. In short, getting old isn’t fun for most people. But try to cling to what is positive, and try to find verses in Scripture that remind you of God’s faithfulness to all ages in every season.

Scriptures to Help

We’ve got several to guide you. These include:

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. – 2 Cor. 4:16, ESV

The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair. – Prov. 20:29, ESV

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. – Prov. 16:31, ESV

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. – Ps. 92:12-15, ESV

If you are struggling today with getting older, just know that God sees. He promises in Isaiah 46:4 to carry you, even in old age. Let His faithfulness soothe you today, and contact us if you would like more help.