As I approach yet another significant birthday (yes I am nearly 21 again!!) I have started to think long and hard about how I need to really start taking care of my body and my health more. It is something that I have become more aware of over the last couple of years and although I know that I am in relatively good health, I could be doing a lot more to try and protect myself over the coming years.
In the spirit of making more of an effort to improve things, I decided to research some of the things that I need to be focussing on and this is what I discovered.
Adapting your diet
My diet is a real mix. I eat and drink healthily but I am prone to have ‘blow outs’ when I binge on food that isn’t great for me and my obsession with crips is an ongoing battle. I drink healthily on the whole as I don’t drink sugary drinks or juice and I only have the odd glass of wine. However, I know that my 15 cup a day tea habit is probably making me drink far too much caffeine.
But what can I do to improve my diet moving forward? I am a big believer in a little bit of what you like, isn’t going to do any harm. So cutting out all foods that are bad for you, isn’t going to work. That just makes you crave them even more. But a few subtle changes can make a huge impact, even at this stage in your life. Try and eat more fruits and vegetables, fish, whole grains and healthy sources of protein. Drink lots of water and if like me, you are a caffeine addict, slowly swap your regular teas and coffees for the decaf version and before you know it, you will have drastically reduced your daily caffeine intake.
Photo by Nadine Primeau on Unsplash
Why not opt for a meditarranean style diet? This is a diet which is rich in all of the good things that your body needs to stay healthy, keeping blood sugar low and it can also help lower blood pressure too.
Keeping your brain active
In spite of that old adage about old dogs and new tricks, it really is never too late to learn something new. When you learn, you are creating new pathways in your brain which in turn keeps your mind healthy. You could learn a new language, learn to play chess, try playing a musical instrument or try yoga. Personally, I would love to improve my photography and learn Italian. Whatever you want to do, you can go out and do in a group or even in the comfort of your own home if you can find classes online.
Reading is another thing to add to the list. The saying ‘reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body’ is true and when you have time to read, it is the perfect way not only to relax but also to learn and it doesn’t have to be books, read the newspaper, magazines or articles online.
Accepting that you might need a help in hand sometimes
There is no doubt that sometimes as we get older, we have to accept that we can’t always do everything we did in our 20s and 30s. The important thing is not to dwell on the things you can’t do and focus on the things you can. Accept help from family and friends for those things that you struggle with and look for solutions to your problems. There is a wealth of great help and advice online such as Age UK Mobility Stair Lifts where you can find a great range of products to help if mobility around your home is a struggle for example.
Keeping physically active
My mum is seventy next year and honestly, she does not look it at all. She is still really active, working and does a lot of walking and she is really inspiring. Her philosophy is use it or lose it and it has certainly worked for her. As you get older, it is natural that you will feel more physically tired and you might start to get aches and pains, but it is even more essential to keep moving. One of the best forms of exercise is walking. Just 30 minutes a day can make a really positive impact on your general health and well-being. Plus it doesn’t cost a penny and can be a great boost to your mental well-being too.
Photo by Aan Nizal on Unsplash
But if walking isn’t your thing or you want to do more, why not think about something like Yoga or Pilates which are brilliant not only for overall fitness but help balance, breathing and can help relieve aches and pains too. The amazing Joe Wicks has done a range of workouts which suit any age and he has recently added some manageable workouts for seniors.
Make time to be sociable
Life can be manically busy but it is still important to make time to see family and friends. You could also consider doing some volunteer work, it isn’t just for retired people. It has huge benefits for you and for those you are helping and it is a great way to meet people.
Get yourself a pet
It has been shown that having cat or dog owners have both lower cholesterol and a reduced risk of heart disease. But there are so many benefits to having a dog or a cat. They provide companionship, can help reduce stress and of course with a dog, you get to walk them twice a day giving you the chance to get both fresh air and exercise.
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Ageing is inevitable but it shouldn’t be seen as a negative. Life is for living and if you take the necessary steps to stay healthy as you get older, there is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy your later years.
Post written in collaboration with Age UK
