Worrying About Aging? Follow these 10 Tips for Healthy Aging

Aging is inevitable, but that does not mean the process has to be difficult or painful. As you age, your healthcare needs change accordingly. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle becomes more important with time. Aging well applies to both your physical and mental health, so give them both equal attention.

Wondering how to maintain good health in old age? Read on for 10 tips you can follow on how to age beautifully and focus on overall wellbeing.

Enjoy a cup of coffee everyday 

Coffee contains antioxidants and compounds, which can help fend off Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease [1,2]. Drinking a cup of coffee once throughout the day has been linked with reducing the risk of heart disease [3], several cancers [4] and type 2 diabetes. Drink your coffee without adding processed syrup or sugars to attain maximum health benefits.

Additional read: What is Caffeine

Eat nutritious food 

Change your habits for aging well as following the same lifestyle in your 30s is simply not good for you in your 50s. Eating nutritious food is a great way to start especially if you’re worried about how to stay strong as you age. Eating foods high in fiber helps you slow down the digestion of your food. This also helps keep your insulin level in check.

Inflammation can also be controlled by eating fiber, which in turn provides a barrier against aging. Consuming foods rich in nutrients like green leafy vegetables, fruits and nuts helps maintain the overall health of your body. At the end of the day, a healthy body will help you age well.

Use olive oil 

Olive oil is called liquid gold as it has so many health benefits! This is what makes using olive oil one of the 10 tips for healthy aging. Research involving 7,000 older adults at risk of heart disease found that those eating an olive oil rich diet had 30% fewer instances of heart conditions like stroke or heart attack [5]. They also had healthy levels of cholesterol, blood pressure and an improved lipid profile. Olive oil has also been linked with better blood glucose levels and slowing the progression of breast cancer. So, use this oil as a dressing for your veggies or for light cooking to help you slow down the aging of your heart.

Exercise outdoors among green spaces 

Trees produce phytoncides, which help lower blood pressure, boost immunity and reduce stress. A short walk or a few exercises in a garden or green area, where you can find grass and trees can improve your immunity. Exercising helps keep your body active while exercising outside gives you additional benefits like Vitamin D from the sun! That is why any answer to the question how to maintain good health in old age is incomplete without outdoor workouts.

Cultivate the habit of reading 

Reading frequently has been linked to a healthier life and that’s why it is one of the 10 tips for healthy aging. A study conducted by Yale among adults over the age of 50 found that reading increased longevity by almost two years [6]. And books can become a good companion that can keep you occupied, give you knowledge and perspective and help you simply relax. So, pick out a book off the shelf and start reading!

Meditate daily  

Meditation can offer powerful positivity to the brain. It appears to promote empathy and reduce stress. Just 15 minutes of meditation a day can be beneficial and improve blood pressure levels. Other than this, it really just gives you a chance to sit down, peacefully reflect and take a break. Keeping calm during meditation relaxes and rejuvenates you and helps you in aging well.

Follow a flexible yoga routine 

Yoga can benefit your body by reducing stress, improving sleep and strengthening bones. It also enhances mobility, strength, flexibility and balance. That is why it is the perfect answer if you are wondering how to stay strong as you age. You can try different yoga poses every day to suit your age. Increase difficulty once you get the hang of it. Some poses to try are the warrior, lotus and tree pose, all of which can help you in aging well.

Additional read: 5 Easy Yoga Poses

Take that afternoon nap! 

Napping can help you focus better and increase your attention span. Taking a quick nap of less than 90 minutes may also improve memory. Naps provide a way for your body and mind to relax and take a break and this will become more important as you age.

Cultivate friendships 

Research has linked social isolation to heart disease, dementia, stroke, depression and a 29% greater risk of dying. Quality of friendship helps keep you alive by staying around people that have a positive outlook. Caring for and helping others strongly correlates with longevity. Friendships help you age well. Spend time with your friends, even if it is just to enjoy a cup of coffee.

Try being optimistic 

Surprised to see this on a list of 10 tips for healthy aging? Don’t be! Older adults with negative attitudes can have worse functional health and lower cognitive abilities than those with positive attitudes. Unsurprisingly, negativity puts stress on the body, which elevates cortisol levels. This can impact your sleep quality, heart health, cognition and weight. So be optimistic and focus on the good over the bad. Afterall, both your mental and physical health affect the aging process.

Staying active, maintaining a balanced diet and training to be mentally alert can all foster a healthy aging experience. Focus on the positive for aging well, and if you have any health concerns, book a doctor consultation on Bajaj Finserv Health. Get expert advice regarding any health-related queries while you are comfortably home!