Living Longer for Dummies
Author & Longevity Expert Dr Walter Bortz Describes How to Age Well
Dr Walter Bortz is a medical doctor & professor who has written several books about health, aging, & medicine. Here, he shares his expertise on healthy aging.
Dr Walter Bortz is a Stanford University professor of medicine and author of the books Living Longer for Dummies and Dare To Be 100. In this personal interview he shares what he’s discovered about longevity and enjoying – not just surviving – getting older.
Research shows that a sedentary lifestyle accelerates the aging process. What are some fun and effective ways to keep active?
Dr Bortz: Dance! Nike and Apple are putting chips into running shoes so people can hear the music as they move. Electronic ways to stimulate movement helps us stay active. Other great activities are trail work, maintenance of city parks – green ways to keep moving.
It’s never too late to start exercising, but always too soon to stop.
Is there any way to guard against dementia?
Dr Bortz: The brain is a muscle, and it needs stimulation and oxygen. You exercise your brain with activities ranging from crosswords to marathon running. On other words, “Use it or lose it.” Exercise delays dementia, and helps with Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative exercises.
What's the worst part of aging?
Dr Bortz: Losses.
What's the best part of aging?
Dr Bortz: A huge benefit of aging is wisdom. The older you get, the more stable your judgment is. You’re less likely to be rash. For instance, I believe older airline pilots are the safer ones because they have more experience. When you’re older, you’ve been there, seen it, and you’re less likely to be surprised.
It’s not how old you are, it’s how you are old. I’ve run 36 marathons, and they’re getting easier. Ruth Ann and I are the only married couple over 70 who finished the Boston marathon together.
How can we accept aging with grace and good humor?
Dr Bortz: The single most important step in living to be 100 is your beliefs. You have to believe first. Aging is a self-fulfilling prophecy: if you say you’re going to be dead when you’re 90, then you’ll be dead. It’s all in your attitude. I’m working on another book called Next to Medicine, which will change the way we look at the health care system.
What would surprise people about aging?
Dr Bortz: The new 70 is what 40 used to be. We’ve captured 30 years of life – we’ve found a whole lifetime. Life isn't about the clock, but it’s how you use yourself. You can gain 30 years of good life by mostly staying active.
To learn more about Dr Bortz or his life visit WalterBortz.com.
If you found Living Longer for Dummies interesting, you might enjoy:
