No matter if your hair is turning gray or you are beginning to see more wrinkles, now is never too late to take steps towards graceful aging. Learn these science-backed secrets of successful aging such as staying active and eating well balanced meals.
Use sunscreen regularly, avoid smoking and excessive drinking, and get regular checkups and screening tests.
1. Eat a Healthy Diet
Diets consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources, healthy fats and low-sodium foods are key components to successful aging. Such diets may help protect against high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes as well as boost immunity.
Strive for a balanced diet low in saturated and trans fats, added sugars, sodium levels and fiber. Include vegetables and leafy greens along with whole grains, fruit, low-fat dairy products, beans or legumes and nuts and seeds among your choices.
Staying hydrated is also key, particularly as we age as our sense of thirst may diminish. Alcohol should also be limited – or consumed only occasionally.
3. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is essential to overall wellness and so it is respected in assisted living; it benefits both physical and mental wellbeing. Sleep should be prioritised alongside eating healthily and exercising regularly, yet many struggle to get enough due to work and family commitments. Not enough restful restful can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease/stroke/depression/poor concentration. For optimal results it’s best to aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day (including weekends) so as to ensure adequate restfulness.
5. Take Care of Your Skin
Your skin serves as the first line of defense against environmental elements. It keeps body fluids inside, prevents dehydration and keeps harmful microbes at bay – without it, we would all become susceptible to infections and disease.
Your skin is your largest organ and deserves to be cared for properly. A regular skincare regimen can help avoid various skin-related problems, from acne and wrinkles to anything out-of-the-ordinary like mole changes or discolorations on the skin. Additionally, keeping track of changes may alert you of anything concerning that might arise over time, like moles or discoloration on your body’s surface.
Many people assume a simple splash of water on the face is enough, but developing and following an effective skin regimen is key for healthy, youthful-looking skin. Learn your skin type, create a personalized routine and maintain it!
6. Stay Active
An inactive lifestyle increases your risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes; increasing physical activity each day may help. Consider walking or bicycling to work instead of driving and adding daily exercises (like Oscar’s step challenges) into your routine (such as the Oscar app’s step challenges). A social life and engaging in new activities such as brain-training games can keep your mind sharp; additionally regular visits to your dentist and annual vision exams as well as making sure the home is secure are important health habits to cultivate and uphold.
Integrative physicians believe that your mindset plays a pivotal role in both your health and longevity. Learn to accept aging gracefully while looking towards life’s positive aspects like learning new skills or volunteering – something integrative physicians call accepting your age!
7. Stay Healthy
Healthy aging involves caring for both body, mind, and relationships. Routine physical activity and nutrition that promote mental wellness are crucial in keeping an optimal lifestyle; no need to become an elite athlete! You don’t even need grueling workouts – simple things such as taking the stairs can do wonders. Also ensure you get at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night plus make regular visits to your doctor in order to catch illnesses early on.
Maintain healthy habits such as proper food handling and medication usage (read FDA tips here), scheduling annual vision, dental and health screenings as well as annual eye exams to help ensure you’re aging happily and healthily. These steps will ensure you age gracefully.