If you have ever tried to talk your parents into going to the gym with you, it is likely that the response was something along the lines of “I’m too old, that is an activity that is great for young people”. Many people of previous generations have the belief that aging is a terminal sentence that inevitably deprives them of the ability to do anything self-care-related.
What Are the Facts About Aging?
If you are of older age and don’t have any severe physical/health issues, here are some facts for you:
- You can still exercise
- You can still eat well
- You can still treat your body right
Self-Care In The Aging Years
It is true that there are certain physiological and mental changes that occur as we age, but one thing still remains true – You can choose to take action and adopt health-nourishing habits every day. Every moment is a decision to improve.
Here are our best tips for aging adults who are looking to improve their lifestyle and habits:
Exercise
As we get older the less active we are the more muscle mass that we lose. Nevertheless, engaging in low & high-intensity physical exercise is one of the best anti-aging therapies you can engage in during your aging years!
Exercise, and especially resistance training, can help you maintain your muscle mass over the years, leading to significant improvements in metabolism, and how you look visually.
Since the body can be more prone to injuries during the aging years, it is a good idea to mix low and high-intensity training and avoid overexertion. This is especially true if you are starting your fitness journey from a sedative state.
What can you do for your body for the next year (2022) that your body will thank you for? Instead of widening the scope so far out into the future, start with the simple things. How do you feel after maintaining a month of physical activity?
Eat well
As the older age sets in, people become more likely to ditch their self-care habits altogether. It doesn’t matter if you are 20 or 55, one thing remains true. Your body requires certain essential nutrients, in order to sustain healthy function.
For this reason, it is a good idea to be mindful of your nutrition, even at an older age. Include quality animal products, fish, fruits, and vegetables into your daily nutrition plan, and try to eat the least amount of junk food possible.
Quality whole foods will keep you satiated and will in turn make it much less likely for you to overeat and gain excessive weight. What does this mean? Better health and body composition even in your aging years! It is possible!
Manage Stress
Stress management is an important aspect of body and self-care. It is one of the most essential of your anti-aging habits. How do you do that? There are many self-help books, but it mostly comes down to one very important realization.
Your stress responses are automatic – You don’t choose to be stressed, stress takes over you. This is the exact moment when you have to think outside of the box and ask yourself questions like:
“Is this worth my time and health?”
“Is there an adequate way of dealing with this without feeling stressed?”
“Is this going to matter in 5 years?”
“Why does this have to make me feel this way?”
All of these questions can lead to certain behavioral models that will guide you to the right decision in the situation and therefore, reduce stress.
Remember, internal self-regulation is important!
Conclusion
The fact that certain changes happen in the body during your older years, should push you to become more aware of your habits and improve them. Remember that as long as you are alive, you have the opportunity to make powerful decisions and choose actions and habits that will ultimately improve your quality of life.
Stay active, eat well, get adequate rest, and manage your stress and you will be surprised how fit you can become during your aging years!
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