It has sometimes been said that aging is inevitable, but that looking old is optional! Although we all age, we deal with it in different ways, with different results. So what are some of the secrets of those enviable people who manage to look far younger than their years?
Learn a new language, play Sudoku, travel the world! These are all things that can help you stay younger longer. Challenging yourself mentally has been shown to keep your brain younger. Audit some classes at the local college or just start up a book club with your friends. Keep your brain active and engaged!
Keep your body fit and functioning at its peak, even while growing older. Exercising is not just for weight loss, it is also incredibly important for keeping your body young and working at its optimum level. Cardio exercise is extremely important for your heart health, so keep your body moving to keep the years away.
Your home is your refuge. Fill it with the things that you love. If you love to be around your family, fill it with them. If they cannot be around as often as you would like, fill it with the things that remind you of them. If animals make you happy, adopt a pet that you can love.
Resveratrol is very effective at fighting aging. Clinical studies being done on resveratrol and the positive effects it has on aging are showing great results. Resveratrol, which can be found in nuts and grapes, acts the same way. It is also prevalent in Japanese knotwood, which is sometimes the ingredient in Resveratrol supplements. Resveratrol is found in Senna Quinquangulata too.
Take the time to get to know yourself. Many people do not really know what it is that they enjoy in life. If you take the time to try new things, you may find that you have been missing out on some really wonderful things that this life has to offer you.
You must get plenty of calcium to aid in the prevention of osteoporosis. Milk, skim milk, yogurt, and low-fat cheeses can be good ways to get calcium. Broccoli contains a large amount of calcium as well as other veggies. And take your calcium supplements. Women need 1500 to 2000 mg after menopause and men after the age of 65.
Depression is a “hidden” risk for developing osteoporosis. Cortisol is a stress-related hormone related to depression that depletes the bones of minerals. Studies have shown that women with depression have lower bone density in their spines and hips. So, if you’re feeling down, see your doctor to find out if you have depression.
Learn something new. There’s an old saying that says, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”; it’s a myth. Get out there and take a class or develop a hobby. Not only will it occupy your time. Your brain will get a workout from the new information you’re learning.
A key to aging well is to maintain a good relationship with your physician. By getting yearly preventative checkups as well as any checkups that are necessary in between, you are taking a proactive approach to aging. There are many diseases that when caught early are highly treatable. Early disease treatment will definitely slow down your aging process.
If you are retired, try to find outlets to keep you involved in your community and keep friendships. Local schools often need volunteers, contact local schools in your area if this sounds like something fun for you to do. Keeping a social life can help fight off depression which sometimes can become overwhelming if you are on your own.
When you wake up in the morning, find the newspaper and pull out the daily crossword puzzle. Keeping your mind active and sharp can improve your brain activity, which will combat the signs of aging mentally. Also, you will be able to stay alert and participate in conversations with friends and family.
Losing your hearing as you grow older can happen so slowly that you don’t notice it at first. However, it’s essential to have your hearing be as clear as possible. This is because poor hearing can have an impact on your emotional and social health. If you cannot hear, you will miss out on conversations and will become more socially isolated, which will leave you feeling depressed. So don’t put off taking care of your hearing health.
Take care of your skin. As people age, their skin starts wrinkling, becoming drier and less elastic in the process. But taking care of your skin is sure to keep it softer and looking nicer. Wear sunscreen of at least SPF30, moisturize and cover your skin with light, loose-fitting clothing, when you are out in the sun.
As a person grows older, their brain may not be as sensitive to the need to hydrate as it once was. Therefore, it’s more important than ever for seniors to consciously drink 8 8-oz. glasses of water per day. Dehydration is common among older people who do not realize they need to drink adequate fluids in order for their cells to function properly.
An aspirin a day will keep the doctor at bay, and also help you reduce the risk of heart attack for a longer life. The American Heart Association now recommends a low-dose of aspirin for patients who have had a previous heart attack, are in high risk classes for heart attack, and those who have unstable angina. Consult your doctor to find out if aspirin is right for you to lead a longer life.
One of the most important things that people need to work on so they age well is bone density. Osteoporosis and other bone diseases affect millions of Americans. In order to make our bones more dense we can do weight bearing exercises and have a diet with proper amounts of calcium.
If your goal is to age gracefully and with dignity, it is our hope that the contents of this article have been helpful to you. You are, after all, only as old as you feel! So if you still feel young at heart, let that reflect in how you look!
