The Three Stages Of Adulthood

As we age, our bodies change mentally and physically in several different ways. These changes occur throughout the three stages of adulthood: early, middle, and late. Everyone ages differently depending on certain individual factors such as genetics or the surrounding environment. Erik Erikson created stages of psychosocial development that coincide with the three stages we endure throughout our adulthood. Every person encounters age-related changes based on unique factors. Aging is an inevitable process that every person must face throughout their lifetime.
Early adulthood is the first stage of adulthood that begins when an adolescent reaches maximum height and there are significant lifestyle choices made during this phase. The normal age
In this phase individuals are reaching goals and satisfaction within a career, assisting their offspring in reaching maturity, noticing a significant decline in physical abilities, reassessing life priorities, and finding a balance between relationships and work. By this time, the majority of adults have reached career aspirations and are now balancing out other life priorities. Health is a concern for many adults in this period because the body begins to slowly breakdown; this breakdown process varies individually. After age fifty-five, the density inside your bones decreases in turn causing a decrease in height; on average a woman loses two inches and men normally lose one inch. A healthy diet is crucial during this period because of the risks brought on by high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fat are preferred to help decrease inflammation and cholesterol (Collins, 2013). Weight normally decreases but this is likely due to the loss of muscle mass. With a decrease in muscle mass, people tend to lose strength and stamina that they once had in their younger years. Hair eventually becomes discolored and wrinkles develop across areas in the skin. Health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension are common among individuals in this stage. A decline in senses is very common
This is the phase when people adjust to retirement, have consistent decline in health, and reflect on life. Physical changes become much more apparent during this time; wrinkles and age spots become more visible, skin starts to lose elasticity and collagen, and teeth begin turning yellow. Older adults especially above the age of fifty are at risk for vitamin D and vitamin B-12 deficiency. It is important for these individuals to eat plenty of foods containing vitamin B-12 and spend a minimum of 20 minutes a day in the sun for a sufficient amount of vitamin D (Collins, 2013). Heart problems are very common in later ages because the arteries begin to harden and blood vessels will shrink. The production of juices throughout the digestive tract decrease, which causes issues with bowel movements. Senses begin to decline in severity the older that people age (McLeod, 2012). The nose and taste buds decrease around age sixty and continue on throughout this period. Sensitivity to pain will begin to decline as well. Exercising at least thirty minutes will help decrease the chances of life threatening issues people begin to develop in this stage such as heart disease. Processing information slows down significantly the older someone gets and will continue to decline if the brain is not exercised regularly. Research has suggested that mental exercise can lessen decline cognitive abilities and lower the probability of