Sensitivity Changes with Aging
As we journey through life, our bodies and minds undergo many changes. Heightened sensitivity can enrich our understanding of the world, while a decrease may affect our interaction with our surroundings.
I decided to write about the relationship between sensitivity and aging because my sensitivity is getting stronger as I get older. As I wrote in this article “Sensitivity Unveiled”, I am in my 40s now, looking back on my past and wondering how my sensitivity would be in the future. Today, this article delves into the intricate dance between aging, the various facets of sensitivity — physical, emotional, and cognitive — and personal experiences.
Understanding Sensitivity Changes
Our ability to perceive and respond to stimuli, known as sensitivity, profoundly influences our day-to-day lives. As we age, this sensitivity to various stimuli can shift — sometimes subtly, sometimes significantly — impacting our quality of life and well-being.
Sensitivity is woven into the fabric of our human experience, encompassing physical sensation, emotional feeling, and cognitive awareness. Aging, a natural part of the human life cycle, often changes how these sensitivities are maintained, developed, or diminished.
How do these sensitivities evolve with age?
Physical Sensitivity Changes
The five senses — sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing — serve as our interaction point with the environment. Over time, these sensory abilities tend to weaken. People may notice changes in their vision and hearing, which are two of the most reported physical sensitivities affected by age.
I initially had heightened sensitivity in both hearing and vision, but now, I feel a different delicacy compared to the hypersensitivity of my early years. With aging, the functions typically measured as hearing and vision are declining. I can’t hear sounds that younger people can (I tested the hearing age through social media videos, determining it based on how high they can hear sounds), and my field of vision has narrowed. Reading, making jewelry, and cutting nails now require reading glasses.
However, my sensitivity to melodies, music, and the delicacy of viewing art is much stronger than when I immersed myself in music and arts in my teens and twenties. I genuinely feel a connection between my mind and body in these aspects.
Moreover, the threshold for taste and smell may grow higher, while the sense of touch might lose its keenness. Such changes can have far-reaching implications. For instance, diminished taste may lead to less enjoyment of food.
Emotional Sensitivity Changes
Just as our physical senses evolve, emotional sensitivity does too. Aging can lead to more nuanced emotional regulation, a product of years of experience processing feelings.
While some may find a reduced capacity for emotional solid arousal, others might discover a heightened emotional response. How we experience and express emotion is deeply personal and varies widely among individuals.
The reason for increased sensitivity comes not with aging but the accumulation of various life experiences. It includes deeply wounded moments, such as past traumas or the loss of family and friends, and experiences of happiness.
For instance, in my life, reflecting on the growth of a son, recalling enjoyable and precious memories, and celebrating current achievements together are moments that contribute. Emotions fluctuate, and the range of emotional swings has broadened with accumulated experiences. Mainly, I’ve become more sensitive to others’ words, finding myself easily hurt, and I’ve noticed increased tears while listening to my friends’ stories. How about all of you?
Cognitive Sensitivity Changes
Cognitive sensitivity, our ability to react to mental or intellectual stimuli, also changes as we age. These alterations might manifest in our memory, attention span, or how we perceive the passage of time and interpret new information.
My mother often said, “It would be so harsh at the moment you pass away after having a long, long life if you remembered every little thing,” and I agree.
As I grow old, I realize my memory fades daily. Even though I grew up in Japan for 40 years, and my mother tongue is Japanese, I sometimes can’t remember Japanese vocabulary, but having said that, I don’t speak English as fluently as I speak Japanese. Where is my sensitivity in terms of memory and language?
Exploring the Science
Research continues to show why and how sensitivity changes occur with aging. For instance, neural degradation or reduced neurotransmitter activity can partly explain the decrease in sensory sensitivity.
“While our study suggests a negative correlation between high sensitivity, particularly low sensory threshold, and telomere length as a marker of biological aging, it’s crucial to recognize the dynamic nature of sensitivity. Individuals may find that their sensitivity changes over the course of their lives”
HIGH SENSITIVITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH ACCELERATED BIOLOGICAL AGING
— it could increase, decrease, or evolve in response to various factors, including life experiences, personal growth, and coping mechanisms.
Studies in the field of gerontology and neurology provide a scientific basis for understanding these transformations. They stress the role of various factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and environmental influences in shaping sensitivity alterations that come with age.
Personal Experience and Insights
Drawing from my experience, I’ve realized that sensitivity shifts are integral to the aging narrative. Sensitivities are powerful tools for navigating life’s complexities.
One of the powerful lessons is the significance of adaptation — recognizing and embracing these changes rather than resisting them. Adapting to change is always challenging. However, one might be good at analyzing the situation.
My sensitivity saved my life when I was involved in an incident. Remembering, it seems it happened to someone else because I was too cool for that. I might have been in danger if I had panicked without analyzing the situation.
These insights underscore the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity to adjust to life’s constant flux. Additionally, they highlight the necessity for empathy, as each individual’s sensitivity journey is distinct.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sensitivity, our intricate ability to perceive and respond to stimuli, profoundly influences our daily experiences. As time passes, our sensitivity to diverse stimuli undergoes shifts, ranging from subtle nuances to significant transformations, ultimately leaving a mark on our quality of life and overall happiness.
This exploration into the dynamic changes in sensitivity throughout the aging process serves as a testament to the intricacies of our human nature. It underscores the evolving nature of our perceptual capacities and the intricate interplay between sensitivity and the passage of time.
This exploration into the sensitivity changes with aging is a testament to our complex human nature. After reading, I would like your thoughts, opinions, and experiences in the comments!
