Almost every day, you run into different types of information suggesting ways you can look younger. And as much as good genes contribute, what you do also influences how you age. The good thing is that it is never too late to make those adjustments to live a healthier and longer life. Discussed below are healthy tips to help you age gracefully.
Make Regular Visits to Doctors
Most people only go to the doctor when they are sick, or a problem has persisted for so long that one can no longer tolerate it. However, depending on your age, family history, lifestyle, and existing conditions, you often need to see a doctor. They can help catch a problem earlier before it gets worse. For instance, a dental visit is recommended every once or twice a year, yet most people do not follow. This is why you will find that about 96% of Americans will have some form of tooth decay by the time they turn 65. Other regular checkups include high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and cervical cancer. For anyone on medication, these regular visits can also help a doctor assess whether the medicine is working or you need a different prescription.
Mind Your Diet
A critical tip for aging gracefully is eating healthily. As you get older, you need nutrient-rich foods like fruits, nuts, and vegetables. In addition, healthy people include whole foods in their diet. Research has found that such a diet can help protect the body against heart diseases, Parkinson’s, and cancer. Eat less fatty meat, butter, refined sugar, salt, processed or packaged foods, and if possible, stay away from red meat and avoid cooking with solid fats.
Exercise Often
This is one of the effective tips to age gracefully. Staying physically active does not have to be signed up with your local gym, although if you want to, then go ahead. Even a daily 30-minute walk or a hike over the weekend can help you stay fit. If you feel that a 30-minute walk is too much, break it into shorter walks. Exercising often keeps your brain cells healthy and active and strengthens the lungs. It also helps you sleep better at night, improve your mood, control weight, and reduce heart disease chances. Ensure you are exercising correctly to reduce the risk of injury. For instance, if you sign up for the gym to carry weights, ask for assistance from the gym to give you the proper weights. Even by lifting a box weighing 10kgs, you are putting about 180 kg of force on your spine, increasing the chances of spine injury. If you are running or taking a walk, ensure you have the right shoes.
Prioritize Mental Health
About one adult in every five suffers from anxiety or depression. If you experience tiredness, lingering sadness, loss of appetite, lack of pleasure in the things you used to enjoy, wanting to be alone a lot, irritability, and difficulty sleeping, it could be a sign you need to talk to someone. To boost your mental health, try to spend time with family and friends, accept your age, and participate in things you enjoy. Your stress levels are likely to be reduced, and your moods elevated.
Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Studies have shown that consumption of alcohol can lead to premature aging. Therefore, it is best to limit your intake to avoid putting your health at risk. One of the most popular alcoholic beverages is beer, with 41% of people who drink alcohol claiming they prefer beer. However, excessive consumption increases the risk of death and depression. Also, as we get older, the amount of alcohol our body can handle decreases. Additionally, anyone under medication should reduce or completely cut off alcohol intake as certain drugs react negatively with alcohol.
As much as aging is inevitable, other people find it challenging to adapt to the following changes. Should you experience such feelings, talk to a loved one or seek professional help. The bottom line is that aging gracefully is about sticking to healthy practices, spending time with loved ones, and doing things you enjoy.