6 Tips For Healthy Aging

No matter where you are in the aging process, growing older and experiencing changes to both your body and mind are normal and don’t have to signal feelings of negativity or loss. Choosing to see aging as a natural part of life can help make the process a positive one and help you take preventative steps to ensure great health and happiness, well into your later years of life.

Healthy aging isn’t a one-size fits all process, but taking care of your body, mind and relationships can be as simple as staying mindful and making positive, daily choices. Most people can benefit from staying active throughout their lives and well into their later years, and choosing a diet rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables and lean proteins will help to fuel your activities. Getting a good night’s rest, engaging your mind regularly and staying connected to the ones you love will also help to nourish your mental and psychological health.

Here are 6 simple tips to help you feel your best, no matter your age!

*Before making any changes to your lifestyle, be sure to consult your physician.

Keep Moving
Simply choosing to move for 30 minutes a day will go a long way to help keep your body’s strength and mobility in tact. Ride a bike, take a long walk, swim laps at the pool, try out a chair yoga class or really find any way that you enjoy moving, and choose to do it daily. Your body will thank you for years to come.

Nurture Your Nutrition
Choosing the right foods to fuel your body as it ages is paramount to keeping your systems running smoothly and have you feeling your best. Make sure to eat a diet rich in fiber, fruits and vegetables, as well as lean protein and low fat dairy. Ask your doctor for specific diet recommendations and if you feel you could use the help, consider consulting a nutritionist to help you choose foods that are specifically right for you.

Sleep Matters
Sleep is essential to good health, and your body needs a minimum of 8 hours a night to recover, recharge and restore for the next day. Make sure to go to bed around the same time each evening, and wake up around the same time each morning. Avoid eating sugar or drinking alcohol before bed, and choose soothing, quiet activities to help you wind down at the end of the day to alert your body that it’s time to rest.

Preventative Health
Make sure to schedule an appointment to see your doctor at least once  a year for a full physical. This will help to catch any early signs of illness or disease, and it will help your doctor to notice if your body is becoming deficient in calcium or vitamin D. You can use these appointments to discuss your personal health history and ask how it might affect you as you age, and your doctor will be the right person to tell you what specific health changes are appropriate or important for you.

Stay Connected
Take steps now to nurture the relationships in your life that fill you up by making time for the ones you love. As you age, your connection to others will help to keep your emotional and psychological health strong, and having people to call on during times of joy or sadness will help to stabilize your mood through life’s changes.

Work Your Mind
Keep your brain forever young by keeping it active and engaged, daily. Choose to do a crossword puzzle or Sudoku each day, or continue to read and write with regularity. The more you use your brain, the more it will want to keep working for you, maintaining your memory and keeping you feeling sharp.