Three Habits to Ensure You Age Wisely!
The idea of aging can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s an inevitable process – something we can learn to accept. We can make the process of aging easier by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here are three things to keep in mind to age wisely:
1. Being Active
The importance of being active is something that has been taught to us since elementary school. We have all heard the benefits of exercising – it supports both our physical and mental health. It helps in preventing diseases and disabilities, boosting our lifespans from building up our immune systems. Regarding mental health, it improves our overall mood and cognitive abilities. By putting aside a few hours in the week to do a physical activity, we are contributing to a longer and healthier life. Besides the health benefits, long-term exercising will allow us to maintain independence and continue doing the things we love at an old age. There are many ways we can work towards being more physically healthy: choosing walking over other modes of transportation, participating in sports or simply going to the gym a few times a week.
2. Eating Healthy
Healthy eating is another important habit that has been taught to us since a young age. Making the conscious decision to consume healthy food is something that would be beneficial for us in the long run. Not only does it make you feel good overall, but it also aids in aging wisely by supporting our physical health. A balanced diet would provide you with the nutrients you need to maintain your health into your old age. For example, fiber rich foods like whole-grains or fruits are known to improve our gut health. By improving our overall health, we are improving our life longevity and quality of health. A diet filled with nutrients and vitamins will help our bodies stay strong and contribute to our physical appearances as we age: aging is a natural part of life, but we can adjust our lifestyles so that we maintain youthful appearances as we age. It is important that we make healthier choices when eating – choosing to snack on fruits over processed snacks, reducing our sugar intake etc. to help in aging wisely.
3. Prioritizing Sleep
It wasn’t until my twenties that I began to appreciate sleep. Working a full-time job now pushes me to be in bed by ten to be able to fully function the next day. Quality sleep is highly important for physical and mental health. Sleep is a time where the body repairs itself – ensuring a full night of rest supports cell regeneration and strengthens our immune system. Providing our bodies with the rest they need allows it to slow down the physical effects of aging. It supports our cognitive health by giving our brains time to rest and process - preventing a decline in brain health as we age.
These are basic things that you can be mindful of to age wisely. That includes making active decisions that are beneficial for you in the long run – moving our bodies, eating mindfully and ensuring a full night of sleep will help us reduce the physical and mental effects of aging. These habits will allow us to maintain the activities that we love without relying on support for others.
Maham Qaiser