As we grow older, we experience an increasing number of major life changes, including career changes and retirement, children leaving home, the loss of loved ones, and many physical changes. How we handle and grow from these changes is the key to staying healthy. These tips can help you maintain your physical and emotional health and live life to the fullest, whatever your age.
Be Adventurous
Staying fit and healthy does not have to be boring. Life is meant to be an adventure and staying in shape can reflect your overall spirit of adventure. There are so many choices that you can make to live an amazing adventure. Do you love to do yoga? Go on a yoga tour or sign up for a special themed 5K run enhanced with music and a light show. The key to a successful fitness routine is that is it does not become “routine”.
Try something new
Life becomes adventurous the moment you add uncertainty to it and fitness shouldn’t be a chore. Instead it should be a part of your day that you look forward to, something that you love to do. Whether you want to take a yoga class, run with a friend, or start a new sport that you’ve never tried before, If you’re energized and excited by integrating new things into your exercise activities, you’ll be more likely to keep doing them.
Keep Eating Healthy
Exercise is complemented by a healthy diet and by adding a variety of healthy supplements to your routine. Making sure sensible balanced eating is part of your overall diet and taking your vitamins is not just important for children, it’s important for eveeryone over 60 as well.
Remain Social
As we age, we tend to feel less and less energetic, preferring to stay home in front of the television or with a good book instead of heading out to spend time with friends. But what most people don’t realize is that it is really quite important to stay socially active in our old age.
In a scientific study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, it was found that older adults who had high or medium levels of engagement that increased over time developed cognitive and physical limitations more slowly than did those with low levels of engagement that decreased over time. Because of that, socially isolated seniors end up having to visit the doctor’s office much more often than their socially active peers.
Keeping physically fit can be a “social” activity as well. Instead of getting together with friends to eat a high-calorie dinner and drink alcohol, why not look for occasions where you can meet friends to enjoy active outdoor activities like hiking, biking or walking.
Making exercise into a social activity and having shared goals will motivate you to set goals and keep moving – more frequently and purposefully than you might have done on your own.
Stay Positive
While maintaining your physical health is important to healthy aging, it’s also key to value the experience and maturity you gain with advancing years. Practicing healthy habits throughout your life is ideal, but it’s never too late reap the benefits of taking good care of yourself, especially as we get older. Creating a fitness plan that keeps you feeling motivated to go back is a virtuous cycle. The better you feel, the easier it is to be positive, and the more positive you feel, the easier it is to keep staying active and strong
Healthy aging means continually reinventing yourself as you pass through landmark ages such as 60, 70, 80 and beyond. It means finding new things you enjoy, learning to adapt to change, staying physically and socially active, and feeling connected to your community and loved ones.
