From the Autumn of Life to Its Blossoming Spring

The events of current conflicts around the world, and in our region in particular, have come to directly affect the interests of our countries and the gains of our Gulf societies, despite our having no responsibility for their occurrence. We find ourselves paying the price of the “political immaturity” of heads of state who ignited wars and unleashed the demons of aggression in the region, until the flames consumed their own political prospects, while simultaneously destroying our economic endowments and much of our countries’ infrastructure. These events have distanced us from following the normal course of our lives, including keeping abreast of scientific efforts underway elsewhere in the world, particularly those related to individual health and the well-being of different segments of human society—children, youth, adults, and those in the flourishing autumn of life. Therefore, I have chosen to share with you in this space the latest efforts aimed at supporting the health and well-being of adults—fathers, mothers, and generations who have given and continue to give.

According to the latest reports published by the World Health Organization, and based on numerous studies, including research conducted at Canada’s McMaster University, one in six people worldwide is entering the autumn of life, with more than 60 years of age by 2030. Other studies have indicated that reaching advanced age is not a burden, but rather a notable achievement reflecting medical progress and healthcare advancements in modern societies. Therefore, this group should be viewed as a positive force within their communities, and individuals in this age group should look at life through a positive lens, avoiding laziness or withdrawal from social and practical life roles. This was confirmed by a study conducted by Professor Becca Levy of Yale University, which showed that individuals in this age group who maintain a positive outlook on life outlive and outperform their peers in health and longevity by an average of 7 to 10 years.

To achieve this, members of the “positive seniors” group should prioritize several key areas. First, they should engage in physical exercise according to their individual capacities. The good news is that a study conducted at Australia’s Monash University, involving 22,000 participants aged 60 and above over an eight-year period, highlighted the importance of physical activity or “casual exercises.” These include exploiting spontaneous foot movements while sitting or during morning bathing, shoulder movements while seated, and using stairs. All such movements burn more than 16% of calories and contribute to bodily flexibility.

The second priority is not neglecting the development of cognitive abilities and keeping pace with rapid technological advancements, even if it involves using the simplest technologies, and learning to utilize artificial intelligence (AI), which offers numerous benefits for ordinary individuals, especially for this age group in their daily lives. The third and most important aspect is maintaining a close social circle of relatives, friends, and colleagues, and enjoying the benefits that good companionship provides.

All of these factors transform the individual in the autumn of their life into a vibrant, flourishing spring, strengthened by psychological clarity, trust in God, steadfastness in faith, and certainty. Let our seniors be positive and active members of their societies, and let us pray to the Creator to protect our beloved homeland and its kind people, to perpetuate peace and security upon it, and to grant our Emir robust health and safety, and a safe return to the homeland, God willing.

Dr. Moudi Abdulaziz Al-Humoud