Does Getting Older Make You Wiser? - 5 Tips to Avoid Risks of Dementia and Teleportation

The saying “years bring wisdom” is often heard. It implies that older people, due to their life experiences, possess a certain level of wisdom, cleverness, and life skills compared to younger people. If one can lead the masses with sharp insight and guidance like the character Mito Komon, then that would truly epitomize the wisdom of age. But can I attain such wisdom as I age? Upon reflection, the answer is likely no!

In reality, aging is tough. For me, getting older means facing daily occurrences of forgetfulness rather than acquiring wisdom or cleverness. Instead of gaining wisdom, I often find myself in a panic as things around me seem to vanish frequently. In my opinion, the culprit is a sort of teleportation magic. Items that should never disappear suddenly do, leading me to conclude that these important items have teleported to a fourth-dimensional space. Over the past year, I’ve experienced this teleportation with three pairs of my glasses, the last of which vanished from my bag. Considering I hadn’t moved far from one place, the fact that I couldn’t find them despite checking every possibility means teleportation is the only explanation. The loss of my favorite pair of glasses to this fourth dimension was a huge shock. Just a month ago, my car keys also disappeared via teleportation. Life truly is a twilight zone where the impossible becomes reality.

Is this teleportation experience unique to the elderly? If so, it’s terrifying. Reviewing recent societal trends, government data, and media reports reveals three major concerns about the elderly. First, it is astonishing that the elderly now constitute one-third of the population, meaning one in three people is an elderly person. The end result of the declining birthrate and aging population is that soon, one in two people will be elderly. The current young generation will quickly age, and before they realize it, they will join the ranks of the elderly. Can you imagine a society where the majority are old men and women? That era is undeniably approaching.

Another concern is the widespread prevalence of dementia. Dementia, which involves a decline in cognitive function due to pathological changes in the brain, results in severe forgetfulness, disorientation regarding place and time, and impaired judgment, causing significant life disruptions. In 2023, dementia was a contributing factor to 19,000 missing person reports filed with the police. This equates to over 50 elderly individuals going missing daily, likely due to dementia. The rising number of dementia cases is attributed to longer life spans. Hence, accelerated aging inevitably leads to a surge in dementia cases. Could teleportation be a symptom of dementia? This thought alone is unsettling.

Interestingly, while dementia is on the rise in Japan, it isn’t as significant an issue in Western societies. In fact, some data suggests that dementia incidence is decreasing in Western countries. Why? Scholars attribute this to the promotion of healthy behaviors, intellectual activities, rigorous disease management, and socio-economic factors. Essentially, maintaining good health through exercise, engaging in various cultural activities, and managing finances prudently while enjoying life can help prevent dementia.

Looking at Japan, there are reasons for the surge in dementia cases. Firstly, fewer people are engaging in physical exercise. At Sound House, we built a fitness center for health management, but no one uses it. Many young male staff members are noticeably thin, clearly disliking exercise. Consequently, the company encourages taking the stairs instead of the elevator for health benefits, but this suggestion is met with complaints. Additionally, many people overindulge in high-sugar foods like rice and sweets without exercising, leading to an increase in diabetes, which is linked to higher dementia risk. This dietary habit, coupled with the frequent consumption of preservative-laden convenience store meals, exacerbates these health issues. Recognizing these habits and taking actions for good health may indeed be the true wisdom of age.

For someone like me, who is troubled by teleportation incidents, dementia represents a grave danger. To reduce the risk of dementia and maintain a healthy age, I’ve committed to practicing five principles. These are not lifelong habits but recent changes I’ve made. Here’s a brief introduction to these five principles, which might just reduce teleportation incidents!

1. 1. Improve Diet

   Reduce high-sugar foods like rice and sweets, and eat more vegetables, fruits, and fish. Aim to eat until you’re 80% full, ideally 70%, and savor the meal slowly. Drink plenty of water daily. The hardest part is not eating for two hours before bed, but when achieved, it results in a refreshing morning.

2. 2. Enhance Sleep Quality

   As one ages, getting more than six hours of sleep becomes difficult, with early waking in the morning. Therefore, improving sleep quality is crucial. Engage in moderate exercise, optimize room conditions including temperature, and pay attention to pillow and bedding. Taking 5 mg of melatonin before bed can improve sleep quality. Avoid alcohol, which reduces sleep quality, and working past midnight, which disrupts sleep patterns. These two are quite challenging for me.

3. 3. Avoid Stress

   Life is full of stress: work, relationships, everything can be stressful. Strive to view things positively and be optimistic. Enjoying daily meals with a lighthearted attitude is ideal. However, work remains a significant challenge, often causing stress that must be managed. Not only is there too much to put up with, but there is also a lot of mental strain and stress that must be overcome.

4. 4. Stretch Regularly

   Although it seems simple, doing a 10-minute stretch daily can be challenging. Muscles become stiff with age, losing flexibility and increasing injury risk. Stretching helps rejuvenate these aging muscles, making the body feel great. It’s a shame if you don’t do it occasionally: before and after exercise, after bathing, etc. Stretching makes the body feel so good. I understand this, but I often forget to stretch. That’s life. This remains a challenge.

5. 5. Participate in Social Activities

   This is the ultimate rejuvenation technique. Social activities stimulate the brain and give a sense of purpose beyond personal enjoyment, contributing to society. By taking pride in the fact that the purpose of one’s life is not only to enjoy one’s own life, but also to benefit others and society. One’s daily life will become more vibrant and lively, therefore, contribution through social activities is essential in my life. This positive outlook motivates daily work and is a recommended strategy to prevent dementia.

In conclusion, I don’t think I’ve become wiser with age. Even if I have, the constant battle with teleportation incidents negates any gain. Therefore, I will continue to face these teleportation events while enjoying the journey of life.