Aging Gracefully: 7 Tips to Stay Healthy at Any Age
“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – Mark Twain.
As we age, our bodies start to get a little more “needy” than they were when we were younger. But you don’t have to stand by while your body and mind slip away from you.
Take control of your health! All of your health. Including your mind, body, and soul.
In this article, we’ll give you 7 of our top tips to stay healthy as you age.
1. Water, Water Everywhere
Drink your water! Okay, this tip is a little cliche, but it’s included here because water is so important for staying healthy as you age.
Water benefits almost every part of your body. It keeps your skin bouncy and fresh, like the skin of a 20-year-old. It keeps your digestive system on track and it helps lubricate your aching joints.
But it’s also essential for a healthy mind. Do you ever get that fuzzy feeling where you can’t quite concentrate on what you’re doing? It could be dehydration!
Water also boosts your energy level and your immune system. Aging means your body is more susceptible to disease. Fight this off by drinking enough water every day.
2. Keep an Eye On Your Eyes
Eyes wear down as we age. But failing eyes is not necessarily a foregone conclusion.
When your eyes fail, every task becomes harder. So if you want to keep learning, exercising, and socializing as you age, you’ve got to take care of your peepers!
Drinking enough water keeps your eyes lubricated and healthy. Eat foods that are high in beta carotene and vitamin C, like citrus fruits, leafy greens, and anything orange. And protect your eyes from harmful light by wearing sunglasses that block UV rays.
Also, it’s important to have regular eye exams. Getting to know your optometrist better is a great way to preserve your eyesight for many years. Learn more about unhealthy eye habits so you can avoid them.
3. Sleep It Off
How much sleep did you get last night? For most of us, the answer is “not enough”. But as you age, it’s so important to get enough sleep.
Sleep gives your body the opportunity to relax and heal itself. As we age, more stuff breaks down in our bodies. And the healing that sleep brings keeps you active and moving with less pain.
Sleep is also important to your mental health. People who don’t get enough sleep are prone to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. And sleep helps improve concentration and memory.
4. Meet the “Active” You
If you haven’t met your “active’ self, it’s time to get acquainted. When you were 25, it was less harmful to lounge around. But as you age, exercise and activity are much more important.
Exercise gets the blood flowing through your brain and body. Blood flow helps your body heal itself faster from injury and disease. And it keeps your mind alert.
More activity means you’re taking a more active role in your health. Get out there and move around. Force your body to stay active and healthy.
And exercise gives you independence. You’re less likely to get injured if you’re more active. And that means you won’t have to rely on others to take care of you when you’re hurt.
5. Practice Mind Control
As you age, some mental decline is inevitable. But there are plenty of things you can do to prolong and lessen the effects that age has on your brain.
One thing you can do is keep learning. Expand your mind by taking new classes, learning new skills, and reading plenty of books. Working on puzzles is a great way to give your mind a workout.
It’s also important to keep up with your social life. Staying tucked away in your home by yourself is no good for your mind. Get out and meet new people on a daily basis.
Pay special attention to memory, as this is usually the first thing to slip with age. There are a ton of memory games out there to keep your memory sharp. Also, you should regularly take a stroll down memory lane by looking at photos from the past.
6. Cut Out the Booze
Overuse of alcohol is the root of so many health problems. There has been some debate recently on whether or not a little bit of alcohol is good for you. But to air on the side of caution, consider cutting it out altogether.
Alcohol abuse is a major risk factor in dementia patients. And when you’re trying to maintain a healthy brain, fuzzing it up with booze is counterproductive.
Drinking is known to contribute to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The older you are, the more likely you are to develop these diseases. Don’t make it worse by adding alcohol to the equation.
7. Release the Anger
Emotions actually affect our physical health. Do you have any old grudges that you’ve held onto for years? If so, it’s time to release them.
Holding onto anger can shorten your lifespan by increasing the amount of stress your body has to deal with. Angry outbursts leave you at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. And long-term stress is linked to obesity, cancer, and other deadly illnesses.
Anger is one reason people succumb to addictions. It also leads to other mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. Keep your mind healthy by letting go.
Try starting a meditation practice to release unwanted anger. Spending a few minutes in silence every day can help you clear your head of unhealthy thoughts. And if you think your anger is out of control, talk to a therapist ASAP.
Life is too short to harbor anger!
Try These Tips to Stay Healthy as You Age
Aging gracefully is all about your attitude. Trying a few of these tips to stay healthy can improve the length and quality of your life. Let’s review what we’ve learned here.
Remember that your body lives on water and food. Take care of it by drinking enough water and eating enough healthy food.
Stay mentally alert by exercising both your body and your mind. See your doctor regularly, and take care of your eyes. Healthy eyes allow you to read, exercise, and socialize.
Get enough sleep to keep your mind sharp. Nix anger and booze from your life. These two things only help to age you faster, and nobody wants that!
Looking for more tips on how to improve your life? Check out these simple ways to invest in yourself. Become a healthier, happier you!