The fountain of youth may be a myth, but you can use these healthy aging tips to maintain a youthful, more vibrant mindset as you age.
Researchers found that people with more positive views on aging lived more than seven and a half years longer than those with a negative outlook. In another study, people with negative views on aging were more likely to show signs of the brain plaque that contributes to Alzheimer’s disease.
Viewing age in a positive light won’t necessarily prevent all the natural changes that come with the process. However, it will empower you to take control of your body and mind so you can feel younger, longer.
2. Understand That Your Body Will Change.
One of the most important ways to maintain a healthy mindset is to understand and accept that your body will change over time—sometimes in ways you hadn’t anticipated.
For example, you may find it’s easier to sustain an injury or that it takes longer to recover from one. Or maybe it takes a few extra minutes to warm up properly before a morning workout. These changes can be frustrating, but if you accept them and make adaptations, you can maintain a healthy lifestyle that keeps you feeling mentally and physically youthful.
3. Work Up a Sweat
Regular physical activity is essential for keeping a healthy mindset as you grow older—and I’m not just saying that because I’m biased!
When you commit to working out regularly, you may reduce the risk of numerous diseases and conditions that lower quality of life as we age, from heart disease to stroke to type 2 diabetes.
And because the body tends to lose three to five percent of its muscle mass each decade after age 30, strength training is important to healthy aging. Muscle tissue burns more calories than fat; the more muscle you have the more calories you burn, making it easier to maintain an ideal weight and stay healthy.
Breaking a sweat also floods the body with endorphins, natural feel-good hormones (hence, the term “runner’s high”). These hormones boost mood and lower rates of depression.
4. Feed Yourself Younger
Many people don’t make the connection, but food impacts your mood. Put crappy food into your body, you are going to feel crappy. Put happy (healthy) food into your body, and you will feel happy (or at least have a better chance at it). One of our clients, Laura, who has a stressful job as a special education teacher, noticed a big improvement in her mood within a few weeks of eating healthier.
“I feel so much better,” Laura says. “My mood has greatly improved and I feel better knowing that I’m taking better care of myself.”
Cut back on processed foods that contain excess salt, sugar, artificial sweeteners, and unhealthy forms of fat, like trans fats. These things age your body prematurely and make you feel old.
Instead, eat a diet rich in whole or minimally processed foods. Recipes with lean protein, fiber, fruits, and vegetables will help boost the immune system and provide a natural energy source.
Grab more healthy eating tips in “Don’t Give in to Your Food Cravings.”
The Cause and Effects team will help you get your healthy mindset in gear. Schedule a 10-minute discovery call to kick start a more positive future today.