“Unlock the Secrets: 21 Surprising Tips to Embrace Aging with Elegance!”
13. Prioritize Uninterrupted Sleep
Your beauty sleep may not keep gray hairs and wrinkles away, but it’s still essential to make those later years in life count. That’s because when you sleep, your body repairs itself to support your brain, heart, hormones, and even your immune system. That’s why good sleep hygiene is key to waking up refreshed and ready for your day at every age. Aim to get at least seven to nine hours of quality sleep every night. Getting enough sleep is crucial for your health and well-being at any age.
14. Embrace Daily Movement
Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your healthy aging journey. Regular movement boosts your physical and mental health and does wonders for your bones and joints—keeping you sharp, active, and limber for many years to come.
To get there, make full-body movement a part of your routine rather than something to cross off your to-do list so you can stay strong (and independent) in your 70s and beyond. Lastly, honor every stage of your journey: A 50-year-old body may not move the same as a 20-year-old body, but don’t let that slow you down. Choose strategic exercises to build and maintain strength, bone density, and full range of motion. Pro tip: Don’t be sedentary throughout the day either, even after working out. Take regular breaks throughout the day: walk, stretch or do some jumping jacks or squats!
15. Stay On Top of Your Preventative Care
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” holds true for aging gracefully. Get regular check-ups with your doctor and dentist on the calendar to help keep your overall health in tip-top shape. And if anything feels odd between check-ups, don’t be shy! Reach out immediately for an appointment.
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16. Stay Hydrated
The secret to optimal hydration? Replenishing electrolytes. These substances have a positive (+) or negative (-) electric charge when they dissolve in water or your blood and are essential for healthy energy levels, mental health, muscle contractions, blood flow, immune function, and really every biological process. Stay hydrated by reaching for a glass of water, instead of juice, coffee, or tea. Try water infused with electrolytes by adding fresh fruits (cucumbers, lemons, or strawberries) or herbs (mint) to your water.
Related Read: Signs You Aren’t Drinking Enough Water
17. Get Regular Lab Work
While it’s often easier to address physical, external elements of aging with preventive care, it’s not always clear when there might be something going on inside your body. Lab tests can evaluate things like bone density, neurotransmitter balance, hormone balance, blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels—empowering you to own your health at every age.
18. Don’t Skimp on Oral Hygiene
It’s said that your mouth is a window to your overall health. That’s because the non-friendly bacteria in your mouth, if not taken care of, can affect the rest of your body. To support your oral hygiene as you age, maintain a consistent dental routine: brush and floss regularly (water flossers are great for thorough cleaning). Consider an oral probiotic and avoid sugary foods and drinks.
19. Spend Time in Nature
Nature is medicine. From sunset strolls on the beach to leisurely bike rides through the park or a hike on a mountain trail, it’s well-documented that being in nature has major health benefits. Time spent outdoors can lead to improved attention, better mood, lower stress, and even an increase in empathy.
20. Practice Daily Gratitude
According to a recent study of nearly 50,000 women between ages 70 and 95, high levels of gratitude lead to healthy aging. Not sure how to start? One simple technique is having a gratitude journal. Write down three to five things you are grateful for at the beginning or end of your day as you implement this practice for the rest of your life.
21. Work on Your Zen
One key to navigating the aging process gracefully is staying calm, even when life is chaotic. When you manage your stress, it boosts your mood and focus improves your sleep, it helps maintain a healthy weight, and even softens your outlook on life. There are dozens of ways to manage your stress response. Try relaxation techniques like breathwork, meditation or yoga, get creative in a coloring book, chat with a friend, lift some weights or take a long (or short) walk. Pro tip: Incorporate supplements like ashwagandha and L-theanine into your routine to help support a healthy stress response.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.
What to Avoid When Aging?
To live your life to the fullest, mentally and physically, steer clear of these four no-nos:
- High-calorie, low-nutrient foods: To age well, be intentional with what you put in your body. Put processed and packaged foods in the past. Instead, focus on eating foods high in nutrients to keep your mind and body strong and healthy. When filling your fridge and pantry, avoid highly processed and packaged foods, unhealthy fats (think trans-fats), and refined sugars. Craving a sweet snack? Reach for fresh fruits with benefits like blueberries, grapes, or oranges. Need a salty snack? Crunch on carrots with hummus.
- Cigarettes and alcohol: While this sounds like a no-brainer, it bears repeating: cigarettes and alcohol are not your friends! Numerous studies have shown the negative impacts of smoking and alcohol consumption, particularly when it comes to heart, brain, skin, and overall health. Speak with your doctor about changing these habits. Pro tip: Try mocktails to enjoy tasty drinks without alcohol!
- Mindless scrolling: The urge to pull out your phone and doom scroll can arise at any moment. But instead of reaching for your phone, choose one of the tips above to keep you busy; go for a walk, bake a healthy dish, or learn something new instead.
- Indoors gloom and doom: Sunshine makes everything brighter (literally) and has numerous healthy aging benefits. Be sure to slather on SPF and proper clothing to protect your skin before you soak in those positive-pumping rays!
Related Read: Signs You’re Aging Well
