The aging process is an ongoing event every moment of our existence. Since there’s no way to stop the clock, we need to get smart about how to stay healthy and take care of ourselves. Acceptance is the first hurdle to overcome. Then, we can move forward and enjoy the journey.
It’s never too early to start taking care of ourselves. Learning how to slow down the clock is something we can start doing right away. The more we know, the easier it is to make the adjustments we need to prevent age-related diseases and illnesses.
The first thing to do is to make a list of any supplements and prescriptions your health provider has prescribed. If you’re not taking a multivitamin, ask your physician if you should start. It’s a simple way to ensure you’re getting your daily values.Vitamins have the distinction of being underrated and abused. This is why it’s important to check with your physician that you’re taking the right supplements for you and your situation. Your doctor should have a good idea of what your daily diet is and if a vitamin can round out any minor deficiencies. They’ll also know if any vitamin or supplement you’re planning on taking could interfere with any medications you’re already using.
Self-advocating is really the first rule of embracing a healthy lifestyle. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to get a second opinion on anything your doctor recommends.
Cook Your Own Food
It’s true that a busy lifestyle doesn’t always allow you to eat whole foods. Processed foods are temptingly convenient and fast food restaurants are a multi-billion dollar industry because they cater to convenience. Unfortunately, most restaurants aren’t in business to make you feel healthy, they’re just trying to make you feel full at a low price point. That’s why they load up on fats, sugar and salt in their menus. Those things are cheap and your impatience is their goldmine.
Do yourself a favor and learn how to make some meals at home. Believe it or not, a stir fry made at home is a lot more healthy than something made in a restaurant. Air fryers will make burgers with ingredients you can control. You can master your diet if you master a few basic cooking skills.
Then, set the table and sit down with your family and enjoy some time together. It doesn’t have to happen every night, but the more you practice it, the easier and more pleasurable it will be to relax and have a healthy meal together.
You’re Not Responsible for the World
The world will go on, with or without you. You can’t control everything that happens to everyone so stop trying to take on everyone else’s problems. If you spent just 10 minutes in the morning with a guided meditation, in just three weeks, you would see a remarkable change in your attitude and a reduction in your stress levels.
Ten minutes.
For yourself.
Medical professionals call high blood pressure the silent killer. Many times, high blood pressure is brought on by stress. Stress is also invisible but you can see the effects of it on your face. You can feel the effects of it on your nerves. You can recognize its power as a cause of obesity.
Just take ten minutes every day to listen to a guided meditation. It’s a surprisingly easy weapon to use to combat the monster we know as stress.
Keep Moving
Anyone over the age of 70 will tell you that it’s important to keep moving. Many wished they had exercised more when they were younger. In their defense, when they were young, exercise science was in its infancy. No one really knew how necessary it was to exercise on a daily basis. You, however, have no excuse. Get moving for about 30 minutes every day. You can break this up into 15 minute splits.
You don’t have to move fast to get the benefits either. Walking is a great way to get some exercise. It’s great for the spirit, too. It clears cobwebs and allows you to disconnect from the world for a while.
Strength training is also an important part of aging well. After around age 35, we lose about 3% of our muscle mass every year. You can combat that by following a strength training routine three times a week.
Can Happiness Extend Your Life?
Happiness is a common trait of wellness. Anger and other states of agitation lead to stress and we’ve already discussed how bad stress is for your health. If you take an honest assessment of your current state of mind and realize that you’re not happy, take some time to find out what’s blocking you from realizing your happiness. Depression can feed on itself.
Surround yourself with happy people. Write out your feelings in a journal. Talk to a professional. Whatever you do, find a way to release the things that are blocking you from being happy.
There’s no way to avoid aging. The trick is to learn to go with the flow and enjoy the ride. Keep up with your physicals, eat the right foods and by all means, learn to be happy. You deserve happiness on your journey on this planet as we all do. Let’s make the most of our time here by staying strong and feeling great.
