Perspectives On Aging
Hard Times Ahead
It is no secret that our country is presently going through hard times. We are in the midst of a war against terrorism, a difficult enemy that is not well defined and wears many disguises. Dependency on oil, which is mostly in the hands of our enemies, is having a huge impact on the economy. All this is causing a great deal of stress affecting everybody, but most of all the weakest links in the chain — the poor and the elderly. This high stress level is responsible for an increased incidence of illness. Acute stress raises blood pressure and increases heart rate as a result of excessive norepinephrine and adrenaline. Chronic stress decreases resistance to infections, malignancies and autoimmune disorders as a result of high cortisol levels that weaken the immune system. This high incidence of pathology strains the already meager financial resources, causing even more stress.
In the past, this country has been through tough times on many occasions and has always been able to overcome them, growing stronger as a result.
The question is if the youngsters of the present are as resilient as past generations. Have we become too weak as a result of the easy life provided by the riches of modern times? It was hard work, clean living and frugal lifestyles that defined past generations. Our present generation is going to have to learn the hard way, but I am optimistic about the outcome.
Now that we are close to electing a new leader, we often think that the final outcome will depend on his skills and vision of the future. What we cannot forget is that a leader is only as good as his followers, and we all fall under that category. Without our strength and support, our next president cannot succeed.
Dr. Carlos Muniz is a retired psychiatrist from Gainesville. He may be contacted through the editor at editor@towerpublications.com.
