Graceful Aging: How To Put Your Health First In Your Later Years
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As people get older, some tend to envy younger people for their youthfulness and wish they could have some of it for themselves. Yet, the fountain of youth is actually found in aging gracefully. Through these five lifestyle changes, you can change your entire well-being and your personal health for decades to come.
1. Morning Rituals
Before jumping out of bed in the morning, it’s important to take some time for yourself. Use this time to write in a gratitude journal. Do some meditation and prayer. Stretch your limbs and take deep breaths. Read an encouraging and positive message. Drink a hot cup of tea and light a candle. Do something calming to center your day before it starts.
2. Exercise
In order to age gracefully, you must make sure you regularly exercise. Movement is so important for agility, flexibility and stamina. Do a brisk walk or a jog in your neighborhood. Lift weights a few times every week. Enjoy a yoga or Pilates class. Aqua aerobics is a dynamic way to get a great workout. It’s a great way to tone the body and get a good cardio session. At the same time, it leaves little to no impact on your joints.
3. Diet
There’s a popular saying that “you are what you eat” and it’s definitely the truth. Expect everything you eat to manifest itself in some way externally. The best results come from eating lots of healthy fruits and vegetables. Stay hydrated by drinking half of your body weight in ounces. Oftentimes, people think they’re hungry when truly their bodies are dehydrated. Drink a glass of water before reaching for the fork. Do your best to eat as many organic foods as possible. If you do eat meat, make sure the meats are organic and free of any hormones. If you opt not to purchase organic fruits and vegetables, wash them thoroughly with a produce cleaner such as activated charcoal.
4. Rest
Healthy sleeping habits are very important. It’s one thing to sleep, but if your level of comfort isn’t good, your body will suffer. Get a good mattress that supports your body. Turn off all the lights and electronics before bedtime. Get in bed by 10pm to allow your body to fully recharge. The most restorative sleep starts before 11pm. Every hour that you’re awake after 11 cheats your body out of quality rest.
5. Quality of Life
Your overall quality of life affects the quality of your health. Take a good vacation once or twice a year. Give yourself the opportunity to unplug from the busyness of life. Try relocating to an area with a slower pace. This will do wonders for your mental health. You may want to think about heading to Hot Springs, AK for retirement or another such place like it where there is lots of beauty and opportunities for rejuvenation.
Put your overall health first and your body will thank you as you age. It’s best to be intentional about your lifestyle now. Take preventative precautions and you’ll live a happy and long life.
