“Aging gracefully” can be a phrase which sounds nice, but is rather difficult when trying it. Once the process of aging takes effect, there is no going backwards. Still, with some knowledge, there are many ways to help you better manage the process of getting old, and keep yourself as healthy as possible.
Determine how much sleep your body needs a night and then make sure you get it. Lack of good regular sleep is a possible cause of premature aging. Just because you’re getting older does not mean that you need less sleep. Our bodies function better when they have had a full nights sleep. Studies have shown that it is very hard to recover from a sleep deficit so keep to a pattern as much as possible.
Aging can be a state of mind as well as body. To reduce the feeling that age is creeping up on you, take action and fight back! A healthy diet, exercise and a good attitude about life can keep you not only feeling younger, but looking younger too!
Skip the heavy makeup and powders every now and then. Although they make us look lovely for the short term, they are contributing to the aging of your skin. Makeup generally hurts the skins ability to hydrate and stay elastic. Give your skin a break and take a few days off a week from more than just a slip of lip gloss.
Free radicals are destructive by-products formed as your body turns food and oxygen into energy. Because they protect against those free radicals, antioxidants may help you deal with the effects of aging. Sources of antioxidants are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Blueberries, blackberries, broccoli, and spinach are particularly desirable, as darker foods tend to have a higher amount of antioxidants.
Keeping your cholesterol under control is important for aging well. A build up of cholesterol can raise your risk of stroke or heart attack. Eating a diet low in animal fats and high in fiber can help keep your cholesterol level under control by increasing your HDL (good) cholesterol and reducing your LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Be sure to get an ample amount of sleep every day. Depending on your own body, most people need between seven and nine hours of quality sleep each day. Sleep deprivation is linked with many different health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and depression.
When you age sometimes you feel you have earned the right to be an ornery individual and not treat people as well as you should. This could not be farther from the truth. In order for people to treat you with respect and dignity you must also show them the same respect and dignity.
Just because you are aging doesn’t mean you should just sit back and take it easy. To maintain good health, you need to continue to be as active as you possibly can. Sure, you may not be able to go out and race in a marathon, but you still can incorporate some activity into you daily activities. It is suggested that you include at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Maybe you could take a 15-minute walk twice a day. Dust off that old bike and take a ride around the neighborhood.
Do protect your skin against wrinkles and cancer by wearing proper sunblock but don’t over do it to the extent that you deprive yourself of much needed vitamin D! As much harm as too much sun can do, too little of it can also hurt you so find a suitable SPF that will prevent damage without completely prohibiting your intake of highly beneficial sunlight!
Most everyone is lacking one vitamin or another, but one vitamin that most people, especially those that are aging don’t get enough of is Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your internal health as well as your well-being, so to age gracefully, begin by getting a little sunlight each day, which is the best source of Vitamin D. It is also acceptable to supplement with foods high in Vitamin D as well as vitamin supplements.
Adding green tea to your daily routine can really boost your anti-aging regimen! Green tea can help build your resistance against many diseases such as cancer and can also defend you against dementia and other neurological ailments of aging. Also of note, green tea can assist your body in its ability to burn fat, so making it a permanent addition to your grocery list is a very good idea!
Find a support group if you’re having trouble adjusting to age. Other people who are going through the same things you’re going through may have different ways of doing things and different methods of coping. They can help you navigate the unfamiliar waters of aging as well as lend an ear or shoulder to lean on.
Include more fiber in your diet by including more whole grains and vegetables as you become older. Your digestive system becomes more sensitive as you age, so it is important to make sure that the foods you eat are easily digested. Keeping your digestive system in good working order will prevent many health problems.
Keep up with your social calendar as you age. Studies have shown that people with an active social life have less chance of suffering from Alzheimer’s. Visiting with friends and family will nourish those relationships and keep your mental health in top condition. Sharing your life with your social circle will lead you to a more fulfilling life.
You need to make sure your eyes have adequate protection as you age. The eye ages along with every other part of your body. Protect your eyes against ultraviolet radiation by wearing sunglasses with a high UV rating every time you leave the house. Regular drugstore sunglasses are acceptable only if they contain a high UV rating.
Keep in mind that aging gracefully isn’t always a result of good genes or blind luck. And it usually takes some hard work. Keeping yourself in good health is always a work in progress. Tips similar to the ones that have been given to you in this article can help you through the aging process, and ensure that you find the best results for the effort that you put in to being healthy.
