Do you find yourself wishing there was a Fountain of Youth?
Aging well doesn’t start at 50 or at retirement. It starts early in life, in your 20’s and 30’s, but it’s never too late to start taking care of yourself such as, eating right, exercising and reducing your stress levels. As we celebrate September as Healthy Aging Month, this is a good time to start on your journey towards taking care of your health and living a healthy lifestyle.
Healthy aging is a national, ongoing initiative “designed to broaden awareness of the positive aspects of aging and to provide inspiration for active men and women over age 45, to improve their physical, mental, social and financial health.”♦ During this month, the focus is on your passion for life rather than the perils and diseases of adulthood.
Many different things happen to your body as you age. Your skin, bones and even your brain may start to behave differently. But don’t let the changes that come with aging catch you by surprise.
- Set realistic goals. Think about your life now, where you want to go and how you’ll get there. Think about the ways you can improve your mental and physical health, bad habits you want to change, relationships you want to improve or new skills you want to develop. Research shows that you are more likely to achieve the things you want if you set goals to achieve them.
- Stay physically active. Regular exercise is one of the greatest keys to physical and mental wellbeing. Not everyone likes the gym, so do something you will enjoy. It is recommended to get least 2.5 hours of exercise a week.
- Cultivate relationships. Stay socially active with friends, family, and your community. Surround yourself with people who are positive; who help lift you up and encourage you to follow your dreams. Also, reach out to friends who might be isolated or feel lonely.
- Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Focus on nutrient-dense foods. They’ll deliver quality vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients to help fight illness and keep your bones, eyes, and vital organs working strong.
- Get the sleep your body needs. Being sleep deprived is similar to feeling drunk. Pay attention to your body and know the amount of sleep that is right for you. Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows and avoid sleep stealers before bed.
- Manage and reduce your stress. We can’t always avoid stressful situations but we can learn how to cope. It’s important to know your limits and control how you respond or chose to respond to stressful situations. Your emotional health is important. Remember to always keep things in perspective and enjoy each and every day.
- Practice prevention. Many accidents and illnesses are preventable, so take charge of your health. Get regular check-ups and complete your advance directives to outline your health preferences. You are your own best advocate.
Getting older involves change, both negative and positive. At every stage, value your experience and maturity. Don’t neglect yourself. You can enjoy aging if you understand what’s going on with your body and take steps to maintain your health.
“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” – Betty Friedan
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To Your Success,
Althea
Althea A. McLeish Wilson, RN, MSN
Promoting inner health & outer beauty!
Helping you thrive, not just survive!!
PS. Inner Health & Outer Beauty Store: Health & Wellness with Althea♦
PPS. Did You Find This Helpful? If so, please feel free to share!! Leave a comment or contact me at althea@altheamcleish.com.
