Aging is a part of life. It’s true, there’s no way to avoid aging and while many of us wish that there was a magical serum that could keep us forever young, we’ve haven’t quite gotten there yet. Even in the absence of such a serum, there’s no reason to become complacent because there are still many ways to maintain your inner and outer youth. Here are some tips to stay fit, fresh, and young at heart throughout your golden years.
Embrace your age.
As with all life stages, the very best thing you can do when it comes to aging is to embrace it. Aging is beautiful and natural. Yes, you do look different. Yes, you do feel different. Yes, it might take you longer or it might be harder. But this is all a part of the process. Allow yourself to age with grace and understand your new needs and limitations. There’s no shame in asking for help, needing assistance, or more rest. So, do yourself a favor and look in the mirror, and be thankful for the person standing in front of you. They’ve brought you this far and with a few lifestyle changes and tips, they could bring you much further.
Stay social.
Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you can’t maintain a social life. Studies have shown that staying social is actually great for seniors’ mental and physical health, as it can boost morale and offer support.
No one is expecting you to go out 3 times a week or even once for that matter. Respect your limitations while also maintaining a comfortable cadence that will get you out of the house every so often. Schedule a monthly dinner with your old coworkers, host a bi-weekly book club, or join a senior group. The more you get up and go out with others, the more you’ll feel like you.
Don’t stop. Adjust.
Were you a world traveler earlier in life? Did you identify as an adrenaline-junky with a thirst for the thrill? We don’t necessarily recommend jumping out of any planes anytime soon without first consulting your doctor, but that doesn’t mean you have to completely call it quits!
When you continue doing the things you once loved or were good at, you keep that feel-good sensation alive within you. So, even if you feel like you can’t spend 1 month abroad like you used to, take a week’s vacation to an unfamiliar destination. Dive into a new culture, eat strange foods, and put yourself in a position to have new experiences.
While doing this, honor your limits. If you need more rest throughout the day, take a nap or schedule an activity that doesn’t require a lot of physical movement. If you feel overstimulated, set some time aside to meditate or be alone.
There’s no need to give up on things you once loved when you can simply adjust the way you do them.
Eat exciting and healthy foods.
Senior life doesn’t have to mean bland eating or microwave dinners. In fact, it really shouldn’t mean that at all. Most doctors recommend eating meals with at least 5 different colors so don’t forget to stock up on vibrant fruits and veggies. You should also incorporate a healthy portion of protein in your diet to maintain energy throughout the day.
While eating healthy is, of course, super important, so is eating your favorite things – this is the part that keeps you young at heart! For many of us, certain foods remind us of certain moments in our lives and can be nostalgic every time we eat them. Of course, we should always keep moderation in mind, but don’t cut everything you love out! Maybe you have a craving for ice cream sundaes. Perhaps, you love homemade mac and cheese or treating yourself to a seafood dinner. Good news, you still can every so often.
Exercise your body and mind.
Staying active mentally and physically plays an important role in maintaining your youth. There’s no need to kick yourself for not getting to the gym 3 times a week – especially if you aren’t comfortable with it. That said, you should stay active and that can mean doing any of the following activities on a daily basis: taking a 30-minute walk around your neighborhood, attending a yoga class at your local studio, stretching for 20 minutes in the morning and evening, or lifting lighter weights several times a week.
With age, you’ll find it’s equally important to exercise your mind. There are many activities you can do to keep your cognitive performance sharp including reading regularly, playing board games, doing the crossword puzzle in the newspaper, art classes, and meditation.
By keeping your mind and body moving, you’re more likely to feel like you’re in control. It won’t feel like your age is overcoming you; rather, it will feel like you’re aging on your own terms.
Society has taught us to fear aging and that all we can do is to succumb to the hardships that come with getting older. Aging doesn’t have to be something that’s happening to you; it should be something you’re accepting, embracing, and controlling – if only to make your later years as vibrant as your younger ones.