Gabriella Clare Marino on Unsplash
As we get older, our relationship with our bodies will begin to change. I know for me, I started noticing things like changes in my energy, changes in my mood and ultimately changes in my hormones., let’s not even discuss the dreaded skin changes (ahmm, wrinkles in the mirror in the morning.) Although time is gonna happen, no matter what we do, you and I must find a way to take better care of ourselves so that aging can be graceful and we can continue to look and feel as youthful in body as you are in mind.
With that in mind, here are some top tips you can use to take better care of yourself as you grow older.
- Find a way to stick to your fitness goals and incorporate exercise into your daily routine. This does not mean that you have to start training for a marathon, but you should carve out some time in your schedule that you can dedicate to working out. For example, start each morning with a quick fifteen-minute walk or light jog.
- Pay attention to your diet. While this doesn’t mean you have to cut out all of the foods you love (be that chocolate or ice cream), you need to ensure that you are providing your body with the nourishment it needs to stay in tip-top shape. For example, you could look into natural ways to improve digestion and start incorporating healthier foods and ingredients into your diet. You can also talk with Jennifer Dixon, a Certified Health and Nutrition coach with INFS who can help you develop a sustainable diet plan to keep you active and healthy.
- Address any health problems sooner rather than later. For example, if you find that you keep reaching for the TV remote to adjust the volume – it may be time to book a hearing test. In fact, studies show that regular check-ups can help you manage a variety of health conditions. For example, there is a clear link between hearing aids and dementia, which suggests that protecting yourself against hearing difficulties can help slow down cognitive decline.
- Remember that the images you see in magazines, on tv, or even on your social media feed are not indicative of real life. Don’t hold yourselves to these standards – as even the subjects of the photographs do not look like that in person – and the images are edited to remove wrinkles or any sign of skin texture. Remember that wrinkles are a natural part of aging – and not something you need to shy away from. You are beautiful just the way you are.
- Focus on developing better sleep habits so that you wake up each morning feeling ready and raring to go. While this does not mean that you can start turning off your morning alarm in favor of some more shut-eye, you can improve the quality of your sleep in a variety of ways – including avoiding caffeine in the evening and meditating.
- While it is easy to get caught up in the chaos of everyday life, it is important that you know your limits and do not overexert yourself. In fact, knowing exactly when you need to take a break is an essential act of self-care. Don’t be afraid to put yourself first and take a step back when you need to.