KUWAIT: Ageing is one inevitable truth that looms ahead of every living creature. Yet, many humans tend to be consumed by fear and detest this natural process, rather than embracing and celebrating the wisdom and experience that grows within them. The fear of ageing stems from multiple factors including the media industry, one’s unhealthy lifestyle and preconceived notions. Kuwait Times spoke to psychologist Dr Ali Al-Baghlani to unlock the true potential of this phenomenon.

Dr Baghlani said there are several factors that make people fear ageing, including having an unhealthy lifestyle, such as lack of movement and activity, which leads to muscle weakness, changes in facial features, memory loss and many other traits associated with weakness and frailty. However, all of these characteristics closely related to ageing may not necessarily be the main elements of this stage. On the contrary, we may see people who still maintain their usual activity and preserve the vitality of their youth despite being in advanced stages of life. Thus, one wonders what is the reason for this paradox.

According to Dr Baghlani, the answer lies in the fact that society’s culture has associated these unpleasant traits with ageing, completely ignoring the healthy and balanced lifestyle throughout one’s life, which result in preserving an individual’s health for a longer period and enjoying a more comfortable life free from diseases.

Not to mention the depiction of old age in the media, exposing it as a period of weakness and diminished physical and mental strength, for which people must buy products and do things to hide this natural process. This leads to fear and a lack of desire to reach this stage of life, which can be a period of reaping the rewards of a healthy lifestyle, achieving increased psychological equilibrium and giving back in various forms after experiencing different life experiences.

Giving back can be a form of gratitude that Allah mentioned in His wise book, “...until, when he reached maturity and reached [the age of] forty years, he said, ‘My Lord, grant me the ability to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants.’” Therefore, we must change the concepts associated with ageing to be seen as concepts of intellectuality and wisdom, as well as psychological and spiritual balance.