You've probably heard it before:"That's part of it when you get older!" There are many health ailments that come into play as we get older, but did you know that our bodies also undergo positive changes in old age? These are 6 positive changes we experience as we age.
As we get older, the structure of our sweat glands changes, so we sweat less. Not only does it reduce sweat stains, you will also smell less like sweat because the bacteria that convert your sweat into stinky acid are less present. Keep in mind that less sweating can also cause your body to have more trouble cooling itself, so you will have to put in more effort to avoid overheating in hot weather.
Are you sensitive to hay fever, dust mites and/or cat hair? There is a good chance that you will notice it less as you get older! Allergies arise from your immune system, which triggers a violent reaction when you come into contact with certain substances. When you get older, your immune system reacts less strongly, which means that you are likely to suffer less from allergies.
Acne is caused by the glands in our skin that produce oils. After we have entered the menopause, these glands produce less oil, which means that your pores are less likely to clog and you will suffer less from acne and rashes. Have you (in the past) suffered from acne? Even then it could just be that you have smooth skin after the transition. Just keep in mind that a less oily skin can also cause your skin to dry out.
On average, we catch a cold about two to three times a year, but as you get older it could get even less. When you're older and may have retired, you're less exposed to different people and environments, greatly reducing your chances of contracting a virus. Just make sure you still pay attention to who you come into contact with, as your immune system is weaker in old age due to your less reactive immune system. As a result, you can catch a cold faster if you come into contact with someone who is sniffling.
Do you regularly suffer from headaches or maybe even migraines? Migraines are often at their strongest in their thirties, but after that the attacks seem to subside, especially if you hit the fifties. How come? Our brain changes structurally as we get older, which means that signals weaken somewhat, according to research. In addition, the influence of hormones in women may play a role in this. There is a chance that your migraines will flare up as you move towards menopause, but the attacks usually go away once you stop menstruating.
We often wish we had more hours a day to do everything we want to do. Once you get older, that wish will probably come true. Not only does your sleep rhythm change as you get older, the melatonin production in your brain also changes, which means that you get tired faster in the evening, but it is easier to get up in the morning. You also probably sleep more deeply, which means you wake up more rested. And you have more time to do the things you would like to do, how nice is that?!
Text:Santénl, image:GettyImages
