Aging well does not mean not aging. But, successful aging involves good health, both physical and psychological. While changes in our bodies and the way we think and feel are inevitable, the steps below can maintain, even improve your health well into your eighties, nineties, and beyond.
1. Exercise: A lack of exercise is the primary reason for most physical decline and is directly responsible for increasing the potential of falling. So, once you’ve checked with your doctor
• Begin Weightlifting: Yes, really. You can join a gym or local exercise program (try the SCV Senior Center), but you can also get an excellent workout at home using lightweight plastic barbells, cans of food, or even plastic milk jugs filled with water or gravel. What is the good news? A group of 90 year olds improved their strength 174 percent after only eight weeks of weightlifting.
• Take a 30-minute walk every day. If it’s too hot or too cold, walk around your house or in the hallway, get your mail — just keep moving.
• Eat Healthier: Cut your salt intake, lower your carbs and change just one eating habit a week to improve your health.
2. Keep a Positive Attitude: As we age, there are definite changes in the way we think. For example, the functioning of the left, or analytical, side of our brain tends to slow down, while the right side, which is responsible for sensing and processing experiences, is enhanced.
• Stimulate the left side of your brain, keep it active with analytical tasks such as working crossword puzzles or learning new tasks or skills or take music lessons.
• Keep a journal and write regularly about your feelings and impressions. If your eyesight is failing or you have arthritis in your hands, use a small tape recorder.
• Laugh. Never let a day pass without seeing, and expressing, the humor in your life. Laughter lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones and boosts the immune system, so share a joke, watch a comedy, or read the comics.
• Learn to Meditate. It’s as simple as sitting in a darkened room for two minutes and inhaling until the air completely fills your lungs.
For a free copy of Aging Wisdom for Ageless Living, call Home Instead Senior Care at 661-254-8701 or email charlenep@homeinstead.com .