Aging is inevitable, so why try to fight it? Instead, choose to embrace this next stage of your life and try to put your best foot forward. If you take care of yourself and get your health on the right track, there’s no telling all the positives that can emerge from your efforts.
The key is that you have to be willing to put in the work. However, you can’t put in the work without knowing where to focus your time and energy. A wise first step is to take the time to review some tips that will help keep you happy and healthy as you age, so you can live your best life.
Stay Physically Active & Eat Right
Diet and exercise are important when you are young and as you age. You will want to make sure that you keep physically active and move your body daily. Challenge different muscle groups and find activities that are age-appropriate and based on your abilities. There may be a local gym you can join with seniors, or you can go outside and take nature walks. You should also commit to eating a balanced diet and limiting sugar and processed foods. If you aren’t able to cook and grocery shop, then consider using a food service that will deliver healthy meals to your home. You also want to drink plenty of water, so you keep hydrated and can improve your energy levels and skin appearance.
Nurture Relationships & Maintain A Social Calendar
You may no longer be working and getting out of the house regularly. It might be that you also live alone. In this case, you may tend to isolate, which can make you feel lonely and disconnected. Keep yourself happy and healthy as you age by nurturing relationships and maintaining a social calendar. It’s important that you engage with those in your community and feel part of a larger purpose. Reach out to friends and family and get together, or at least give them a phone call. Technology makes it easy these days to see each other over video as well. Choose to volunteer in your free time for an organization you care about or join a local community center that offers activities and social events.
Have Your Hearing Checked
The reality is that as you age, your hearing may begin to diminish. Keep yourself happy and healthy as you age by having your hearing checked by an audiologist. They can help you understand what challenges you may be facing and offer up solutions. For example, it may be time to invest in hearing aids so that you can improve your quality of life and better communicate. Most of all, you want to ensure it’s the right fit and that they are comfortable to wear. Spend some time reviewing information around hearing aid design and comfort so you know what to consider, such as shape and material. When you can hear well, you will be more motivated to converse with others and will feel happier and more confident.
Challenge Your Mind
Another tip for keeping yourself happy and healthy as you age is to keep your mind sharp. The saying goes, if you don’t use it, you lose it. Therefore, you should make sure that you are attending to your brain health and memory. There are many ways to engage your brain daily, such as doing word puzzles or teaching yourself a new skill. Reading books is not only enjoyable but can help expand your vocabulary, and you may learn something new. There are also games you can play on your phone that will get you thinking and problem-solving. You want to be mindful to avoid sitting around all day watching TV, especially during the cold winter months when it’s hard to be outside.
Engage in A Hobby
If you want to keep yourself happy and healthy as you age, then engage in a hobby. This will give you purpose, and it will be fun to apply new and different skills. Hobbies are relaxing and will get you outside of your comfort zone. There are hobbies you can do by yourself and others where you can use it as a way to meet new people. This is an opportunity to apply your creativity and roll your sleeves up and stay busy. Having a hobby is a great way to fill up time and structure your day. There are many benefits hobbies will offer you, including better emotional health, a sharper mind and memory, as well as feeling greater overall life satisfaction.
Get Consistent, Quality Sleep
It’s also important to get on a sleep schedule as you age. It can be tempting to want to sleep in or stay up late if you don’t have to report to a job. However, this will disrupt your sleep cycles, and you may feel more tired during the daytime. Focus on getting consistent, quality sleep by investing in a sturdy mattress and comfortable bedding. Engage in a relaxing bedtime routine and make sure the room is dark enough for sleeping. Limit caffeine intake during the day and get some exercise so you feel ready for bed at night.
Manage Stress
As you age, you may not realize that stress can still creep up on you. Stress isn’t just going to go away as you age; it may just look different or have different causes. For example, maybe you get sick or are dealing with a loss and are grieving. It may also be that you become frustrated with technology and how hard it is to keep up with it. In any case, it’s essential that you are protective to manage and reduce your stress levels in a healthy manner. Some ideas are to go for a walk in nature, write in a journal, or take a warm bath or shower. Find people whom you can trust to talk to as well and who will give you a shoulder to lean on when you’re overwhelmed.
Visit Your Doctor Regularly
You will want to make it a point to get regular checkups with your doctor as you age. Preventive care and follow-up care appointments can help you keep well and strong as you get older. You will likely need to get annual physicals and screenings at these visits. It may also be that you have a health condition or matter that you need to manage. It’s best to take charge of existing health issues and get on a treatment plan before it’s too late. It will also be useful to have a doctor whom you trust and can call up if anything related to your health and well-being were to arise unexpectedly.
