11 Tips for Aging Better in the New Year
It’s true…getting older is inevitable.
But how you age can be managed.
See below for some tips on how to age better in the New Year.
- Stay Active
- Maintain a Balanced Diet
- Stay Socially Connected
- Prioritize Brain Health
- Get Quality Sleep
- Protect Your Skin
- Manage Stress
- Stay Hydrated
- Mind Your Emotions
- See Your Primary Care Provider Regularly
- Get Your Hormones Checked
Studies show that people who are physically active tend to live longer.This can mean little things like walking more, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and not sitting for long periods of time. But being active should also include more intense efforts when it comes to cardiovascular exercise, resistance training, and stretching.Broadly speaking, the more you move your body, the better.
A nutrient-rich diet is crucial for good health.Make sure your diet includes plenty of lean protein, colorful vegetables, and healthy fats. If you include carbohydrates in your diet, they should be of the complex variety.
Do your best to avoid simple carbohydrates and unhealthy fats.
Humans are social creatures. For most of us, maintaining strong ties with others is essential for our emotional health and wellbeing.
Keep in touch with your family and friends. Connect to people that have interests in common with yours. And stay involved in your community.
These important connections provide emotional support, stress reduction, and a sense of purpose.
Keeping your brain healthy is as important as keeping the rest of your body healthy. One of the best ways to preserve brain health is to challenge yourself with continued learning.
Stay intellectually curious. Pursue new interests. And try new things that don’t come easily (like learning to play a musical instrument).
Not only does lifelong learning keep your mind sharp, but it also provides a sense of accomplishment.
A good night’s sleep is essential for your overall health and vitality.
Most people need 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to repair and recharge. Your brain also needs this time to sort and store memories from the previous day.
Some basic tips for getting good sleep include establishing a consistent bedtime routine, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and limiting screen time before bed.
If you snore regularly or sometimes gasp for air as you wake up, talk to your primary care doctor about getting a sleep study done. Sleep experts estimate 80-90% of sleep apnea cases are never properly diagnosed or treated.
A healthy body is wrapped in healthy skin.
Protect your skin from the sun’s rays by wearing sunscreen and protective clothing every day. Stay in the shade whenever possible (especially mid-day when the sun is at its brightest) and wear a hat if you’ll be in the sun.
It’s also a good idea to keep your skin hydrated from the inside by drinking plenty of water, and from the outside by applying a quality moisturizer.
Chronic stress is truly the “silent killer”. It increases the risk for developing a wide range of health issues, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.Stress can be hard to avoid entirely in our modern-day world, but you can take steps to minimize its negative effects.
Remove non-essential commitments from your to-do list and from your schedule. Do your best to save your time for the people and activities that mean the most to you. And implement relaxation strategies like meditation and exercise.
Your body needs plenty of water to function optimally.
Water is essential for digestion, circulation, temperature regulation, and cognitive function.
Try to drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Increase your water intake during hot weather and when you’re physically active.
A positive outlook goes a long way toward helping people to age well.
Do your best to embrace a mindset of gratitude. Focus on the present. Celebrate your accomplishments. Surround yourself with people you enjoy. And engage in activities you find fulfilling.
If you struggle with anxiety or depression, please don’t suffer in silence. There is no shame in asking for help. Talk to your primary care provider or a mental health professional.
It’s much better to catch emerging health issues early, rather than to wait until they become bigger problems.
Talk to your primary care provider about what preventative health screenings might be right for you.
Many of the issues we attribute to aging are caused by age-related hormone decline, including symptoms like fatigue, depression, anxiety, low sex drive, weight gain, insomnia, and brain fog.
Being hormone deficient also puts you at a higher risk for developing the various ailments we associate with getting older (like cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and dementia).
Properly administered hormone replacement therapy can improve your quality of life by alleviating symptoms, and it can promote longevity by reducing risk factors for illness.
What to Do
Getting older does not have to mean losing your health and vitality.
Use the tips described above to age better as the New Year gets underway.
Want to learn more? Renew Youth has been specializing in individualized hormone replacement therapy since 1999. Call us at 800-859-7511 or use our contact form to set up your free 30-minute consultation
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