21st Century Wellness and Healthy Aging
Wellness and healthy aging go hand in hand. To a certain extent, your genes play a role in your health. However, the things we do — and don’t do — in our daily life can hinder us or help us stay healthy and active into our later years as we thrive in our home and age in place and live a happy, healthy life.
Perhaps you have heard of “Everything in moderation. Nothing in excess.” These six words have been attributed to many wise and philosophical individuals over time, some 2,500 years ago. Moderation is the process of eliminating or lessening extremes. It is used to ensure normality and should focus on having a life committed to balance and wholeness for wellness (and healthy aging).
Eat a healthy and balanced diet: Of course, you should include the gold standards of healthy eating, like making sure your diet includes low fat protein and dairy, whole grains, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. And you should cut down on unhealthy foods like ones that are processed and high in sugar and fat like soda, potato chips, and most snack foods.
Stay active: Did you know that regular daily activity of at least 30-minutes is not only good for your body, but also for your mind and soul. Choose whatever physical activity you like and stick with it, whether it’s walking, bicycling, yoga, gardening, swimming, or strength training to keep your body flexible and limber as well as prevent muscle loss which can happen overtime with age.
Get regular checkups: One of the best ways to stop any health problem is to catch it in the early stages. Getting regular checkups is the best way to nip a health problem in the bud and sustain long-term health and happiness. By seeing your primary care physician on a regular routine basis is an investment in one’s self that is priceless.
Wellness is more than health or absence of disease. Wellness is being mentally fit, physically robust, spiritually vital, and socially content. It is being able to face aging with a positive outlook! Having a positive outlook not only colors your perspective on life, it is one to the best gifts you can give yourself.
