The Secrets to Aging Well

Contributed post.

​Many people seem to dislike their birthdays since it means that they’re a year older. But think of it this way: experiencing another birthday is a lot better than not having a birthday. It might not be perfect, but it’s better than the alternative.

Plus, who says that getting older has to be anything other than a joyful experience, anyway? In recent years, researchers have transformed our understanding of aging, and today we have many tools at our disposal that allow us to live well no matter how old we are. In this post, we’ll run through some of the “secrets” to aging well, ensuring you can be in top physical and mental condition no matter how old you are. 

Avoid Toxins

You might like to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, and eat fast food, but it’s worth thinking about the impact that those things will have on a long-term basis. In fact, you don’t even have to think about the long-term impact; the short-term implications are bad enough. It’s not enjoyable to wake up with a hangover, after all.

Avoiding these toxins isn’t just about keeping your body in tip-top condition. When you stop bad-for-you habits, you’ll have more energy, you’ll be more positive, and you’ll be likely to make good things happen. Try cutting them out for a month or so, and see how much better you feel. 

Daily Exercise

No one who makes regular exercise a part of their routine regrets it. In fact, most people say that it has made all the difference in their lives. By working out, you’ll be stronger, your immune system will be better, your eyes and skin will be brighter, and you’ll be mentally better. That’s a lot of benefits from something that really doesn’t require that much time or effort. 

It’s best to do a little bit of exercise each day, and then a couple of more intense workouts each week. Do that, and you’ll have bags of energy to burn even when the people around you begin slowing down. 

Daily Yoga

You could argue that yoga is just as important as regular exercise. The issue that many people have when they’re older isn’t necessarily a lack of energy, but rather a lack of mobility. Doing yoga multiple times a week is a proven way to keep the body flexible and prevent stiffness from setting in. While your body will lose some elasticity as it ages, there’s no reason for it to be so stiff that you’re cracking and creaking every time you move. If you’re unsure if yoga is right for you, look at following a YouTube tutorial from the comfort of your own home. If you find that you like it, then join a local in-person class. 

Using Your Mind

Your mind is like any other muscle in your body; you need to use it, otherwise you’ll lose it! Well, OK, maybe you won’t lose your mind, but it won’t be as sharp as it could be. There are plenty of easy ways to give your brain a workout, with the most popular method being completing a puzzle. If you can do a crossword each day, then you’ll be giving your brain the workout it needs to stay at its best. Other games you can think about playing include chess, sudoku, or poker. 

As with most things, the more you put in, the more you’ll get out. If you complete a crossword in the morning, a sudoku over lunch, and have an evening game of poker with your friends, then you’ll be firing on all cylinders. 

Being Open to New Possibilities

Part of the reason why people don’t like growing older is that they believe that they no longer have the opportunity to try new things. They think that possibilities are becoming closed off to them.

But that couldn’t be further from the truth. You’re never too old to try new things. All it needs is an understanding that just because you’ve been in a routine for a few years, that doesn’t mean that you need to stay in that routine. As Alan Watts says, you are under no obligation to be who you were five minutes away. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, then go and do it — it’s highly unlikely that you’ll regret it!

Daily Appreciation

Showing gratitude for all that you have is perhaps the most effective way to age well. When you live with gratitude, every day is a gift, and you’ll be just overjoyed to get to experience all that life has to offer.