Overcoming the Fear of Aging

Fear of aging is a process one undergoes during a certain stage or may be all throughout one's life. Many people are very anxious on what will happen once one gets old so they end up fighting its effects. The physical manifestations of aging are wrinkling, teeth loss, senile skin, weakening and tightening of joints, inability to perform previous activities, and much more. The idea of losing one's strength, freedom, and over all youthfulness is what makes people very afraid of growing old. This is especially true for individuals who live alone. They exert extra effort to save for their future since growing old alone would mean needing the help of institutions which care for the elderly. If one is without enough funds in old age, the future looks bleak.

This reality is difficult to accept but something thing that needs to be addressed while the individual is still young. As a person age, there is less work available for him/her. Many opportunities will eventually evade an aging individual. This does not undermine the mental capacity, though. It is just unfortunate that businesses need young, healthy, and strong individuals who can help the companies more. The elderly are then just relegated to those low-paying jobs or sometimes forced to have an early retirement.

How does one prepare for the inevitable?

Individuals who are beginning to feel the effects of their age are slowly looking for alternatives. Here is where the beauty industry enters. Once an individual feel the need for a little bit of physical uplifting, the industry is always ready to welcome him/her. At first, topical agents are the only thing available for wrinkles and dry, sagging skin while exercise is the only option to remove those unwanted fats. But right now there are multitudes of options to choose from. Cosmetic and plastic surgeries abound to cater to every whim and need.

Aging is now being delayed by these surgeries. It somehow alleviates the fear of getting old and eventually dying but still surgeries can only do so much. By the age of 70, no matter what surgical procedure is performed, it is bound to fail. This is because the natural biological clock cannot be halted even by aggressive surgeries.

People are now left with one option, which is to accept aging naturally and take the physical changes in stride. In the latter years, the most important act is being at peace with oneself. Once this is achieved everything will follow. The feelings of insecurity, fear, anxiety, and the combative behavior will all be replaced by the overall feeling of relaxed acceptance and happiness.

According to Buddha, detaching oneself from the physical world will prevent suffering and pain brought about by this world.