Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

The above is an excerpt poet Dylan Thomas, about the death of his father. While ageing is an inevitable part of life, it doesn't follow that we have to like it or that we have to lie down and passively put up with it; we can in fact, as the poem suggests, ‘Rage against the dying of the light’.

As science and wellness practices continue to evolve, there is an increasing awareness of the factors that contribute to ageing and the proactive steps we can take to slow down the process. If you consider ageing to be a disease, as many top scientists currently do then as with any disease comes symptoms and while there is currently nothing available that can significantly slow the disease itself there are several common symptoms that can be addressed. Here we will explore a few of them and discuss effective strategies to delay and mitigate their impact.

Let's take the poem literally and begin with Failing Eyesight:

Diminished eyesight is a common age-related concern, often accompanied by conditions like presbyopia and cataracts. To promote eye health and prevent further deterioration you can do the obvious stuff like, regular eye exams, update your prescription as needed, consume a diet rich in nutrients that support eye health, including vitamins A, C, and E, as well as zinc and lutein, Incorporate foods like carrots, leafy greens, citrus fruits, and nuts into your meals. Reduce Screen Time: Limit prolonged exposure to digital screens to prevent eye strain and follow the 20-20-20 rule: take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away.

Do regular Eye Exercises to strengthen eye muscles and improve focus. Activities like eye rolling, focusing on near and far objects can contribute to better eyesight.

Or try this little known hack: NAC eye drops: N-acetylcarnosine (NAC) eye drops are used in Europe to slow or reverse the formation of cataracts. But it has also been shown to improve eye health in general and stave off the normal long sightedness that comes with age.

One of the most visible signs of ageing is the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. While the ageing process naturally leads to a reduction in skin elasticity and collagen production, there are ways to combat these.

Incorporate a sensible Skincare Routine that includes cleansing, moisturising, and sunscreen application.

Choose skincare products with active ingredients like vitamins and antioxidants to promote collagen production and maintain skin hydration with hyaluronic acid and oils. For the gold standard in skin anti-ageing use a telomerase activator like TAM-818

Your skin care routine long with Healthy Lifestyle Habits like hydration and using SPF will support skin elasticity.

Now what about what's under the skin - How do we maintain a strong toned body?

As we age, there is a natural decline in muscle mass and strength, leading to reduced mobility and increased vulnerability to injuries. Counteracting muscle loss requires a combination of exercise and nutritional strategies.

Regular Strength Training is vital for an ageing body. Focus on compound exercises such as squats, deadlifts, and bench presses to target multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Eat an adequate amount of protein to support muscle maintenance and repair including lean sources of protein like poultry, fish, beans, and tofu in your diet.

Consider HRT (Hormone replacement therapy). Much of the muscle tone and strength that we lose through ageing as well as the extra body fat that we accumulate is the result of low hormone levels. Hormones like Oestrogen, testosterone, HGH and thyroid are significantly lower in older individuals and topping these hormones up to normal youthful levels may work wonders. Ask your GP or specialist if HRT is right for you.

Memory lapses and a decline in cognitive function are common aspects of ageing. However, there are lifestyle choices and cognitive exercises that can promote brain health and potentially delay cognitive decline.

Engage in activities that challenge your brain, such as puzzles, crosswords, and learning new skills. Stay socially active to foster meaningful connections, which can positively impact cognitive function. Consume a brain-boosting diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins. Include foods like blueberries, fatty fish, nuts, and leafy greens in your diet.

Joint health tends to decline with age, leading to stiffness and discomfort. However, there are measures you can take to preserve joint function and alleviate pain.

As the old adage goes, ‘use it or lose it’, so engage in low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, or walking to maintain joint flexibility and incorporate stretching and yoga into your routine to improve joint mobility. Maintaining a healthy weight will reduce stress on your joints, so be sure to use portion control to prevent excess weight gain.

Supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin, are precursors to the connective tissue in your joints and will help support joint health and reduce inflammation.

Yet another unfortunate affliction of ageing is that bone density naturally decreases as we age, making bones more susceptible to fractures and osteoporosis. To combat this, it's crucial to focus on lifestyle choices that promote bone health. Ensure an adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, essential for maintaining bone density. Include dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods in your diet.

While ageing may be inevitable there are a multitude of strategies and lifestyle choices that can help us age well and maintain vitality. By adopting a holistic approach that includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, skincare practices, and cognitive stimulation, we can not only delay the symptoms of ageing but also enhance our overall well-being.

Enjoy what should be a rich and rewarding time in our lives that we’ve spent so much time and effort to design, rather than having to suffer through them. Remember, it's never too early or too late to start incorporating these healthy habits into your lifestyle to reap the rewards of timeless vitality.