[Harumanbo Harucheonja] 'Aging Well' Is an Asset... Let's Walk and Write Every Day

Editor's NoteAsia Economy is conducting the '10,000 Steps a Day, 1,000 Characters a Day' campaign as part of the '2023 Nationwide Brain Health Project.' The '10,000 Steps a Day, 1,000 Characters a Day' movement encourages walking 10,000 steps and writing 1,000 characters daily to maintain a sharp brain in a healthy centenarian era. To support this, the '10,000 Steps a Day, 1,000 Characters a Day Newsletter' provides subscribers with recommended walking routes and writing-friendly content. This campaign is the most cost-effective and wise exercise to protect yourself and your family.

Walking is something anyone can do and it costs nothing. It is effective for everyone without putting strain on the body. [Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] 993,628. This is the number of births in the 'Year of the Dog' 1958, symbolizing the first baby boom generation that led South Korea's economy. They turn 65 years old in 2023, legally entering the elderly age group. Excluding variables such as death and immigration, the resident population based on 2020 statistics is 734,824.

More than 700,000 people enter the elderly and retirement age each year. Those born during the first baby boom period from 1955 to 1963 number 9,024,377 (currently 6,996,575). The second baby boom (1968?1974) birth cohort numbers 6,968,06 (currently 6,075,673), and those born during the third baby boom (1979?1992) number 10,162,726 (currently 9,572,665). This accounts for nearly one-third of South Korea's population.

Korea's Life Expectancy 83.5 Years?Living 20 More Years After Retirement

The retirement age for the second and third baby boomers (currently 65 years old) will be in 2033 and 2044, respectively. This means that in 10 to 20 years, more than 700,000 to 800,000 people will become elderly every year. This is equivalent to the entire population of Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, which has 800,000 people, becoming elderly annually without exception. South Korea has already entered a super-aged society. The proportion of elderly aged 65 and over reached 14.4% in 2018, entering an 'aged society,' and is expected to reach 20.6% in 2025, entering a 'super-aged society.' The number of centenarians increased more than tenfold from 459 in 1990 to 5,581 in 2020, and this number is expected to continue growing.

South Korea's life expectancy was only 62.3 years in 1970 but rose to 83.5 years in 2020. This is 5.6 years and 5.8 years higher than North America (77.9 years) and Europe (77.7 years), respectively. This means that even after entering the elderly group at 65, one can live at least 20 more years.

What follows old age is illness. Elderly people aged 65 and over mainly die from cancer, heart disease, pneumonia, cerebrovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease. The number of dementia patients has increased annually due to rapid aging and is expected to continue rising.

In 2020, the estimated dementia prevalence rate among elderly aged 65 and over was 10.3% (7.2% for those aged 60 and over), with approximately 860,000 people aged 60 and over and 840,000 aged 65 and over expected to have dementia. By 2050, this number is projected to increase to about 3.02 million, or 15.9% of the elderly population aged 65 and over. Stroke incidence significantly increases after age 55.

No Need to Set Aside Extra Time?Easily Practice by Walking 1?2 Stops on Commute and Using Stairs

It is generally considered that the incidence of stroke doubles every ten years. For example, compared to age 60, the incidence at age 70 is about twice as high, and at age 80 about four times as high.

According to the supplementary survey of the elderly population (aged 55?79) in the Economically Active Population Survey released by Statistics Korea, as of May this year, the elderly population (15.098 million) exceeded 15 million for the first time. Among them, 68.5% expressed a desire to continue working in the future, with an average desired retirement age of 73. Those aged 70?74, who have already passed 70, want to work until 79, and those aged 75?79 want to work until 82. However, the average age at which the elderly population left their longest-held job was 49.3 years. This means that although the elderly population wants to work until an average age of 73, they actually leave their main job at 49.

Writing by hand stimulates the brain's senses, helping to maintain a much healthier and more efficient brain. [Image source=Pixabay]

Why '10,000 Steps a Day, 1,000 Characters a Day'? Walking and writing have proven effects through numerous studies. Walking is something anyone can do and costs nothing. It is effective for everyone without straining the body and is not limited by location. You can get off one or two stops early on your commute and walk, use subway or office stairs, or take time to walk in urban areas, trails, hiking, or trekking courses.

Walking improves breathing efficiency, increases oxygen intake, and strengthens leg and back muscles. It also helps improve obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. Walking 10,000 steps is about 7 km for an average adult. Achieving this can be done by walking 5,000?6,000 steps during daily activities and adding 3,000?4,000 steps during breaks. Focusing solely on walking 10,000 steps takes about two hours and burns 400?500 kcal.

From Journaling to Copying and Writing with the Left Hand?Various Methods to Stimulate Brain Senses

While walking is a physical activity, writing 1,000 characters is a task for the brain and hands. Writing by hand stimulates the brain's senses, helping maintain a healthier and more efficient brain. Incorporating various methods such as journaling, essays, novels, copying texts, and writing with the left hand (for right-handed people) can enhance creativity and memory. It also helps prevent digital dementia.

For those currently in their 40s and 50s who will turn 65 within 10 to 20 years, retirement assets are essentially health assets. Well-aging means 'aging well as a person' in the era of the 100-year lifespan. It is not just about living longer in the 'era of longevity' but about living healthily and happily, finishing life meaningfully and beautifully in one's own way in the 'well-aging era.'

If baby boomers were the main drivers of economic growth, they must now lead the way in well-aging and guide the healthy centenarian era.