The most important thing to do as you age is to stay physically

In the passage of life, there are few greater challenges than the inevitable march of time. As our years increase, our bodies change, and the things we once took for granted—our strength, our flexibility, our vitality—may begin to slip away. Yet, as the great actress and activist Jane Fonda wisely observes, “The most important thing to do as you age is to stay physically active. Lots of people just throw in the towel if they can’t do what they used to do, and that’s terrible.” These words speak not just to the importance of maintaining one’s physical health, but to the deeper truth that aging is not a matter of merely enduring, but of continuing to engage with life, to move, to adapt, and to grow even as the body changes.

What, then, does it mean to stay physically active as we age? It is not just about maintaining strength or preventing the natural decline of the body; it is about engaging in the world with the same vigor and purpose that we did in our youth. To become sedentary, to “throw in the towel,” is to resign not just to the limitations of the body, but to a deeper form of spiritual stagnation. The act of moving, of engaging the body in physical activity, is not simply a way to combat aging—it is a statement of intent. It is the decision to remain present, to continue the journey of life with the same determination that we had in our earlier years.

In the ancient world, physical activity was seen as essential not only to the health of the body but to the health of the soul. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, famously said, “Walking is man’s best medicine.” For the ancients, the care of the body was inseparable from the care of the spirit. The physical form was seen as the vessel through which we experience the world, and as such, it must be maintained and honored. The Spartans, whose very identity was forged through the discipline of their bodies, understood the importance of lifelong physical activity. Their society was built on the idea that strength, endurance, and resilience were not only essential for battle, but for living a life of purpose and honor.

Consider the story of Plato, the great philosopher, who advocated for a life balanced between mental and physical pursuits. Plato’s Academy was not just a school of thought—it was a place where the body was trained alongside the mind. For Plato, to neglect the body was to neglect part of what it meant to be human. The ancient Greeks recognized that the journey of aging was not one of surrender, but one of continued growth, requiring the individual to remain engaged with the world in both thought and action. In this sense, Fonda’s words align with a tradition of wisdom that sees physical activity as a vital part of the human experience, regardless of age.

The truth of Fonda’s observation can also be seen in the lives of those who have faced the challenges of aging with grace and vitality. Take, for example, the story of Jack LaLanne, the fitness pioneer who continued to exercise and inspire others well into his 90s. LaLanne's life was a testament to the power of physical activity—he proved that one does not have to surrender to the limitations of age, but can continue to live with energy and enthusiasm, no matter how many years have passed. His famous slogan, “Exercise is the key to staying young,” was not just a motto, but a philosophy that he lived by, showing us that the pursuit of health is a lifelong journey, not one to be abandoned with age.

There is also a lesson in the ancient practice of Tai Chi, a form of exercise that has been practiced for centuries in China. Originally developed as a form of self-defense, Tai Chi has evolved into a meditative practice that emphasizes slow, deliberate movement, balance, and internal strength. It is practiced by individuals of all ages, but especially by the elderly, as a way to maintain both physical health and mental clarity. The practice demonstrates that, even as we age, we can still engage in movement that nourishes the body and the mind, enhancing not only our physical strength, but our peace and inner resilience.

The lesson here is one of vitality and resilience. Fonda’s message reminds us that aging is not a time for withdrawal, but a time for continued engagement with life. It is not enough to simply endure the passage of time; we must choose to live fully, to move, to engage, and to remain active in both mind and body. Just as the ancients understood the importance of the balance between body and spirit, we too must recognize that physical activity is not just a means of preserving the body, but of preserving our sense of self, our purpose, and our connection to the world around us.

Therefore, let us embrace Fonda’s wisdom as a guide for our own lives. Let us remain active, not as a means to stave off age, but as a way to continue the journey of growth, to meet the challenges of life with strength, vigor, and grace. Let us not see aging as a time to give up, but as an opportunity to reinvent ourselves, to move with purpose and intention, and to live a life that continues to expand with each passing year. In doing so, we honor not only our bodies but the very essence of our being, remaining ever engaged, ever alive, as we continue to walk the path before us.