Healthy Aging

by Andrew Weil, MD

If I were to recommend one book for you, Healthy Aging would be the comprehensive guidebook to aging with health. As Dr. Weil writes, “Modern medicine is already capable of ….extending life without preserving health”. Because we are all expected to live longer than our ancestors, we should all be interested in preserving health. What is life without good health? Without good health, people suffer from a poor quality of life. This book is an excellent reference book for everything healthy: diet, exercise, supplements, vitamins, meditation, and relaxation. I often refer to this book to answer questions about healthy habits. Dr. Weil has written many books, but this one is the only one I have in my library. This book is the one to have. Healthy Aging truly is a “Lifelong Guide to Your Physical and Spiritual Well Being”.

This book is not only about health, this book is also about acceptance; acceptance of our own mortality. In regards to wishing for immortality Dr. Weil writes, “Be wary of wishing for life extension without thinking through the details of what your extended life will be like”. Aging happens; accepting the aging process allows for a positive and healthy relationship with oneself. Chapter six is titled, “The Value of Aging”. That’s right there is value in getting older. Embracing the aging process allows one to find self worth. In this world of botox and laser skin peels, people have really learned to hate themselves as they age. Dr. Weil starts the healing process by giving readers permission to accept aging and valuing this natural process. Healing starts with health and acceptance.