Jennifer Aniston joins the crusade to support aging
If there’s one thing none of us can delay it’s the aging process, and that fact is true for everyone–including Hollywood stars. Some, like Jennifer…
Jennifer Aniston is tired about hearing how she’s done well “for her age.” (Featureflash/ Shutterstock)
If there’s one thing none of us can delay it’s the aging process, and that fact is true for everyone–including Hollywood stars. Some, like Jennifer Aniston, refuse to buy into the the more drastic anti-aging procedures out there, building a small force of celebrities who are supporting natural aging.
SEE ALSO: Top 10 celebrity anti-aging secrets
For Jennifer Aniston, aging gracefully isn’t just about looking and feeling good–its about job security, and the actress indicates her current profession seems too hung up on a person’s numerical age. Nowadays, she indicates, technological advancements and wellness discoveries have made people far healthier in their later years than they ever were a few decades ago.
“We know how to take care ourselves. We know what to put in our bodies to fuel us thats healthy and organic and not processed, and the importance of drinking water and cutting out sugars and bad fats. Before, we just didnt know that, and we didnt have the technology with skin care that we have today, she told WWD. “Your age always has to be mentioned and men dont really get that for some reason. Its not like you see Joe Schmo, 37. Women and men today in their 40s are so much healthier than they were 30 years ago in their 40s. It was a different time.”
Aniston indicates she is getting tired of hearing the phrase “for your age” attached to her accomplishments, and the double standard for men and women regarding age in Hollywood is very palpable.
Her disgust with the celebrity trend associated with anti-aging is shared by other celebrities like Cameron Diaz. Just recently, Diaz spoke out about her feelings on the matter, stating that Hollywood doesn’t give women “permission” to age naturally. Expectations and pressure keep women?not just celebrities?continually hunting for a non-existent Fountain of Youth.
SEE ALSO: Women not given permission to age, says Cameron Diaz
Why Jennifer Aniston is right
Those who didn’t know her probably wouldn’t guess Jennifer Aniston was in her 40′s. (Shutterstock/ Helga Esteb)
While the show biz obsession with beauty and youth is no secret and is not likely to change anytime soon, Jennifer Aniston does have a solid point: People are far healthier now than they were decades ago, and research can prove it.
According to data from Duke University, in 2010, people in developed nations are living longer, healthier lives and not because the aging process has been slowed down or reversed. Better public health efforts and awareness are what have ultimately caused the longer lifespans enjoyed by millions–not some expensive procedure or beauty product sold in exclusive stores.
“We’re living longer because people are reaching old age in better health,” said James Vaupel, author of a review article appearing in the March 25 edition of Nature. “Deterioration, instead of being stretched out, is being postponed.”
The study data was further supported by additional reports from the Centers for Disease Control in 2013. At that time, experts determined that the longevity people were seeing from good health also prevented them from being sicker, longer during their final days, weeks, or months.
“Effectively, the period of time in which were in poor health is being compressed until just before the end of life. So where we used to see people who are very, very sick for the final six or seven years of their life, thats now far less common. People are living to older ages and we are adding healthy years, not debilitated ones, said David Cutler, author of the latest study, in a statement.
SEE ALSO: Want to slow down the signs of aging? Stop these habits
As for Jennifer Aniston, she is unlikely to completely overcome the stigma that haunts the acting profession, but as more and more people stay healthy through their adult lives, one day the standard may be changed. It is possible that 30 may really become the new 20 someday.
