Getting Older? Tips For Making The Most Of It!
Aging occurs gradually over time. So too do some of the negative consequences that go hand in hand with the process. This, however, is a good thing. It allows time for us to make adjustments in our life that will better equip us for dealing with those changes. Take the time now and consider the following suggestions that will make your life easier.
Aging is not a bad thing. With more years comes knowledge. You know the old saying “older but wiser” and that’s true. Think of all the life experiences you’ve had compared to those that are young, and make sure to enjoy the naivety of those that you were once like.
Be alive while you are alive. Many sad things are going to happen in your life. You should take the time to grieve and then endure the pain that you experience. Do not spend too much time holding onto those painful feelings. They will surely bring you down and out.
Take the time each day to enjoy the simple things in life. It could be a simple flower growing in the garden, or a smile on a child’s face. These things will give you joy and the more joy you have in your life, the more youthful you will feel throughout it.
In order to keep your body from aging it is very important that you get the right amount of sleep. For most people, the way they look is largely dependent on how much sleep they get. Having eight hours of sleep every night is ideal but it varies from person to person.
Be sure to protect your skin from the sun. Getting a bit of sun each day can be very beneficial but be sure to wear sunscreen while you do it. Overexposure can lead to wrinkles and even skin cancer. Taking care of your skin is vital to living a long and healthy youthful life.
When you get older, you tend to want to hold onto the past and resist change, but you should really embrace this change as the whole part of the process of getting older. It’s all in the attitude. Look forward to them, and think of them as a new adventure.
Living can be very hard work. Even if you do not have a job outside of the home, it is going to take it out of you some days. Take the time to rest now and then. You could do this every day if your schedule permits but if it does not, be sure to rest and relax at least a couple times a week.
Understand the stress triggers in your life and manage them. As you age it’s as important to take care of your mind as it is your body. Your mind and body are linked to the point that the health of one can severely affect the health of the other. Take the time to proactively approach your stress triggers and reduce them or even get rid of them! Your body will thank you for it!
We are an optimistic people, always looking to the future. But in old age a backward look, even regret, can be a good thing. Assessing what is good or bad, what worked well or did not, is part of our job as human beings; part of what we pass on to the next generation.
Learn all you can about your health. Learn about what aging does to the body, what things you can fix and what will happen as you get older. Knowing this information allows you to take charge of your own health and to make changes that will keep you feeling great and living well.
A critical factor to prevent aging and increase lifespan is to not smoke. Smoking destroys the body and speeds up the aging process. Smoking is the easiest way to look older and shorten your lifespan at the same time. It causes disease, ages the skin, and is overall one of the main preventable killers known to man.
Sit down and have a nice cup of tea to slow the aging process. Drinking tea has two-fold benefits. First, tea has been shown to be chock full of antioxidants and cancer fighting compounds that help keep you healthy. Second, sitting down and having a cup of tea is a great stress reliever and good for your body and soul.
Melatonin can helps you do more than get a good night’s rest when you are sleeping. This powerful and natural hormone does a great job as an antioxidant. The natural supply of melatonin diminishes as the body ages and adding a supplement to your diet can improve sleep as well as give your immune system a vital boost.
Try moving around more and sitting still less. Especially if you’re retired and aren’t moving around for work any more. Try taking up a hobby that involves moving around – golf is a particularly good once since it’s not a high impact sport but it keeps you moving. Studies have shown that getting up and moving can help you keep your blood pressure levels in normal ranges and lower your risk for heart problems.
Take aspirin every day to prevent cardiac arrest, or “heart attacks”. Heart attacks become more of a risk as you get older, and taking one aspirin a day has been found to help avoid them. Check with your doctor first to make sure that an aspirin regimen is safe for you.
Try to maximize the amount of sleep that you get at night. When you sleep, your body can recharge and restore the nutrients that you lost during the course of the day. In addition, you will feel more energized and can prevent stress by getting at least 6-8 hours of sleep per night.
By accepting the fact that we are aging and that certain changes will accompany the aging process, we can better prepare for those changes. The tips outlined above should help us on our way to doing just that. Whether we need to establish certain habits or make changes in our living situation, the time to do it is now.
