Dear Friends,
It’s my Birthday! And because I’m a lady, you know I won’t reveal my age – which is only a number anyway, right? It’s all about how you feel! But for many of us, getting yet another year older can be scary. We start getting more aches and pains, we may feel as if we can’t do things that we did even a year ago, and those fine lines begin to creep up more than ever before.
Advertisement
Aging is inevitable, that is the honest truth, but it doesn’t have to be a downhill spiral.
No matter how old you are, taking charge of your aging is never too late. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help you overcome any possible fears you may have about aging and navigate your aging journey gracefully.
Tips for healthy aging
Get moving: Exercise is essential for healthy aging. As a fitness instructor, I try to practice what I preach as much as possible. Some of my fellow fitness instructors are grandparents and look at least 10 years younger their age! The positive impact of exercise is just amazing.
Even if you never worked out a day in your life, it’s never too late to start. Going for a nightly stroll, getting back on a bike, or even taking up swimming lessons… Any form of movement can count as exercise, so don’t think you have to just go to a gym to work out. Find something you love and stick with it, and your body will thank you.
Manage your weight: The negative health effects tied to being overweight are endless, and the truth is, you are responsible for your weight management. By maintaining (or working towards) a healthy weight, you can ward off diabetes, high blood pressure, and even heart-related problems, so take the necessary steps to keep that number low on the scale.
Be proactive: Modern day medicine aims at fixing the problem, not preventing it. But if you focus on prevention, you won’t have to resort to medicine as much and you’ll feel better. Prevention is possible for many different illnesses, and it starts with eating well and exercising. You should also get the annual flu shot, always wash your hands, and keep up-to-date with your vaccination schedule to further reduce the risk of illness.
Be positive: A good attitude can go a long way. If you live your life complaining, a gloomy outlook will only make you feel worse. Plus, living with a bad attitude may increase your risk of depression, which not only affects your mood but your entire body, too. Try to stay positive and look for the bright side, and you’ll be amazed to discover that you feel much better and that you get sick less often.
Stay connected: Being a social butterfly has its perks. Socializing regularly and having close connections with people has been shown to ward off illness, compared to living in isolation. This involves calling up friends, heading out into the community, maybe even volunteering your time. Whatever you do to reach out to others is only going to help you live longer.
Sleep well: I love sleep so much that some days when I wake up I already look forward to going back to sleep. Sleep allows your body to recharge itself and is a necessary daily routine. If you’re not getting enough sleep, you are putting your health at risk and may start noticing more of those fine lines years before they should appear. Let your body heal each night by aiming for seven to eight hours of continuous sleep. If you’re having trouble, speak to your doctor about a possible cause of your sleeping problems.
Take care of your skin: Your skin can tell a lot about your daily habits. The effects of smoking, drinking, skipping the sunscreen, or eating poorly will eventually appear on your skin. Bad life habits can speed up aging processes, so even if you feel 40 at age 50, you may end up looking 60 at age 50 – that’s definitely not the look you want to go for.
Eat well and nourish your body: Eat colorful fruits and vegetables as they are packed with antioxidants and other nutrients that fuel the body and improve your skin. Always wear sunscreen. Even if you don’t think the sun is strong, those sneaky UV rays can still reach you. Avoid harsh products that do nothing but clog your skin and absorb into your body. Look for more natural alternative. And, last but not least, drink plenty of water. It helps flush toxins out of your body, giving your skin a more youthful glow.
Reduce stress: Stress, I would say, is a silent killer. Unfortunately, many of us don’t realize the long-term effects it has on our body, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Having a moment of stress here or there is normal, but if you are chronically stressed you are causing internal damage, not to mention, it can wreak havoc on your skin as well.
Try yoga, meditation, or other methods of achieving mindfulness to help you lower your stress levels.
These are just some tips you can add into your daily life to promote healthy aging. I’ll be sure to keep these in mind as I embark on another year older.
Advertisement
Do you have any healthy aging secrets? Share them in the comments below, I would love to include your tips to my healthy aging regime as well!
Until next week,
Emily Lunardo
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
