As a society, we still place a little too much emphasis on the concept of aging. It is true, that we’re all getting older, our bodies are changing, and we might not be able to do everything that we did as teenagers. However, the idea that we should simply let ourselves transform into a less able, less independent, and less happy version of ourselves in our old age is baseless, and driven by a few myths about staying healthy in our later years that we would do better to ignore. Here are a few myths that you should be mindful of, and what you can do to work around them.

Myth: You don’t need to sleep as much

It is not entirely untrue that older adults don’t need as much sleep as those who are younger than them, but it’s nowhere near as much of a change as some people expect. We’re not talking hours less, we’re talking half an hour to an hour less at most. A lot of older people settle into bad sleep habits that can leave them feeling much more tired and low energy than they are, so you should take the opportunity to optimize your sleep so that your body gets the rest that it needs.

Myth: It’s dangerous to push yourself physically

There are changes to the body, including bone health and joint health, which may mean we need to change our expectations in how we work out. However, that doesn’t mean that you should avoid pushing yourself physically. Increasing the demands on your body over time is the only way to build a stronger and more independent physique. Staying fit after 50 might require you to work to specific fitness plans or to find training professionals specific to your needs. However, it doesn’t mean that you should give up on the prospect of routine exercise.

Myth: Eventually, you will become senile

As we get older, we can experience lapses in memory and logical thinking which can be a little concerning. As we are all living to be older, on average, the concern of things like cognitive decline and dementia can weigh heavy on our minds, and some people assume that it is a foregone conclusion. That could not be further from the truth however. Lifestyle habits can play a huge role in how well we age, mentally, with certain eating habits like a Mediterranean diet thought to be particularly good for your brain health as you age.

Myth: Being alone is natural for older people

Loneliness and isolation represent one of the greatest mental and emotional health crises of our modern age, largely spurred on by an increasingly atomized society. As we age, we tend to lose touch of the friends we made in our youth, and instead build relationships with those we work with, but after retirement, we can lose touch with these friends, too. Finding new social connections, such as through local hobby groups, can play a great role in enriching your life and enhancing your emotional health.

Myth: Aging means you will get osteoporosis

One of the biggest physical challenges that a lot of older people face is the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Brittle bones are a serious condition that needs management and can represent a risk to safety in later years, especially when they are not being treated. However, you can get a much better idea of your risk of the condition with a routine bone density test. Healthy living choices like exercise can prevent both osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, as can getting the vitamin D and calcium that your bones need. These conditions are both preventable and treatable.

Myth: You can’t have sex anymore

It is true that a lot of people can experience both physical and emotional changes that may affect how they can have or enjoy sex. However, that doesn’t mean that a healthy sex life is, in any way, impossible for people as they get older. Treatments for conditions such as erectile disfunction and low testosterone (for both men and women) can make it a lot more accessible. There’s much less of a taboo around talking about sexual health with a doctor, so consider asking if this is a concern.

It is true that our bodies change as we get older and, when we reach certain milestones, it’s important to stay in touch with your doctor so that they can give you more specific recommendations on living a healthy lifestyle, but don’t let the myths above scare you away.

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