TIPS
Living Life to the Fullest
Everyone is entitled to live their life the way they want. “Successful aging” means something different from one person to the next. But, living your life to the fullest isn’t that hard if you follow these 7 tips.
Socialize
As humans, we are social creatures. Even if you’re an introvert or an extrovert, being engaged and active will improve your outlook on life. Spend time with a partner, your children, or your friends and co-workers. If you want to get out of your comfort zone and expand your social circle, there are plenty of online, local calendars with events in the Northern Virginia area you can join.
Guard Your Self-Worth
You matter. Maintaining a sense of autonomy and independence is critical to your quality of life and happiness. Remember this as you age. There might be times when you get stuck on social media, look back on your life and regret your choices, or compare yourself to different people; instead, focus on the fact that you are special just the way you are. Try making a list of your favorite activities. When you feel down, pick one to help boost your sense of self-worth. Everyone feels inadequate sometimes, but the important thing is to go through your life with the knowledge that you are worthy.
Stay Sharp
As you age, you’ll need to keep your mind and cognitive skills sharp. You can do a variety of things to help: learn new things, complete word scrambles or jigsaw puzzles, play a board game, read a book, or reminisce with loved ones.
Keep Fit
Your body is just as important as your mind. Keeping your body strong will help in the long run as you age. Be aware of any health issues that run in your family and see if they might apply to you. It’s essential to keep active as you get older. You can go for a walk with a friend, take a new exercise class at the gym, go on a hike—anything that keeps you moving. Check out this study from the National Library of Medicine about the correlation between daily step count and mortality.
Eat Healthy
Part of keeping your body strong is eating the right foods. Now by all means, splurge on a sweet treat every now and then, but, remember, you are what you eat. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans has a 2020-2025 downloadable list of foods that will help you maintain a healthy diet and strengthen your body. Everything in life is a balance; you might have been able to eat more sugar and caffeine as a teenager/young adult or you might have needed to lessen your salt intake and avoid junk foods in your middle age. What’s important is to maintain a proper weight to prevent health issues from arising.
Feed the Soul
We’ve talked about sharpening your cognitive skills and strengthening your body, but it’s just as important to fuel your spiritual wellness as well. This can mean different things to different people. If you were raised in a religious household, you might attend services as you age. Though, sometimes just reading a good book or listening to music can lift your spirits and improve your mood. Make a favorite playlist or have a go-to book for whenever you are feeling down. You can also attend services and talk to your peers about your life or your views.
Manage Your Stress
We all get stressed. It’s a part of life. But, learning how to properly manage your stress will improve your overall health. It’s normal to be anxious about a possible fall or other issues you might encounter as you get older. Consider talking about your stress to a friend, a therapist, or a doctor. Another main cause for stress is worrying about having your affairs in order. Make sure you’ve talked with your family and your lawyer to draft up your will. It’s important to keep it updated as you age.
Having a good overall health and balanced lifestyle will help you live your life to the fullest. If you or a loved one needs more assistance as they age, reach out to the caring folks here at Your WISH.