With worldwide life expectancy higher than ever, people are no longer troubled by whether they’ll live to an old age, but what their quality of life will be at that point. What all of them want is to stay healthy physically and mentally, so that they can enjoy their golden years to the fullest. Luckily, there are steps you can take to age happily and in good health. Here are some of them.
1. Eat well
The nutrients your body needs when you’re young differ greatly from those you’ll need once you’re older. It’s your job to keep up with your body’s requirements and modify your diet accordingly. You should eat a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, especially legumes.
When it comes to meat, eat less red and more lean meat, like turkey or chicken breast. Fish and other kinds of seafood are also good for you, so make sure you include them in your diet as well. Avoid pasta, processed sugar and pastries and only have low-fat dairy products. Don’t eat more than you need, since your metabolism will probably slow down and you’ll be gaining weight much faster and more easily. Finally, ask your doctor for advice on the ideal calorie intake for you or on any supplements you might need to take.
2. Stay surrounded by people
One way to stay sharp, happy, and maintain good mental health is by spending time around people you love. This means that you should stay in contact with your family and your closest friends. You should visit them whenever the opportunity arises, or organize get-togethers where you’ll have a chance to talk and have fun. If you don’t think that you’re socializing enough, consider smart retirement house plans at a lovely seaside location, where you’ll be safe and surrounded by people your age. The activities places like this one offer range from movies and knitting to golf and line dancing, allowing you to bond with other residents over similar interests. Making new friends and talking to new people offers you a fresh perspective and keeps boredom and loneliness at bay.
3. Get enough sleep
As years pile up, you’re bound to go through certain hormonal shifts. Combine those with stress and you could be facing some serious sleep issues. You should be getting about seven or eight hours of restful and uninterrupted sleep per night, and if you aren’t, this lack of sleep could reflect on your overall health. It can leave you tired, confused, moody and craving for unhealthy food. If this happens, pay a visit to your doctor, ask for their opinion or if there’s an expert they could send you to. Otherwise, you can try making some small adjustments at home. For example, you should avoid all screens at least an hour before going to bed, slightly adjust the temperature in your bedroom, or have a relaxing hot shower or a bath in the evening.
4. Exercise regularly
Not only do physically active people often live longer, but they also stay healthier well into their golden years. Basically, working out can add years to your life and improve your quality of life so that you can actually enjoy those years. So, try walking about 10,000 steps each day, go swimming when you can, or join a gym class you can keep up with. Of course, there are always activities like dancing, yoga, or hiking in nature, meaning that you can choose the activity that best suits your personality. Physical activity will keep you flexible and physically stable, while preventing sudden weight gain and even putting off muscle deterioration. These and many other benefits on your overall health should get you moving as soon as today.
Final Thoughts
Take care of your body and mind today so that you can live a long, healthy and joyful life tomorrow. Here’s to a long, happy life!
