Growing older comes with both rewards and challenges. We may look forward to retirement, a day with no responsibilities or the freedom to pursue delayed passions. But the physical and mental changes that aging can bring often offset the dreams a carefree life. Like any challenge, planning ahead and taking action now can help ensure your golden years are truly golden.
Get up! Get out! Keep moving!
Exercise is one of the best ways to keep the physical effects of aging at bay. Even when started late in life, exercise can lower your risk for a host of maladies, including chronic disease, physical disability and memory loss. The good news is that staying fit doesn’t mean becoming married to the gym or hours of strenuous workouts. A study by the Department of Cardiology in New Orleans and published in the American Journal of Medicine found that as little as 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (which can be as simple as a morning walk) three times a week may reduce your risk of heart disease by as much as 60 percent.
Pay attention to nutrition
Eating well also plays an important role in how well we age. The US Department of Health and Human Services estimates that unhealthy eating and inactivity cause between 310,000-580,000 deaths every year, more than any other single cause. Numerous studies have shown that eating well – which includes eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats like avocados and olive oil and healthy proteins found in wild salmon, eggs, and nuts – can prolong your life and lower your risk for disease. Eating well also means avoiding foods that can be detrimental to health, such as trans fats, highly processed foods, and sugar.
Stay socially active
Human connection is essential for a healthy life. A study from the Harvard School of Public Health found that people who were socially active in their 50s and 60s had slower rates of memory decline compared to those who were more isolated. A recent study conducted at Brigham Young University demonstrated that “the effect of [social isolation and loneliness] is comparable to obesity.” So, invite your neighbor over for coffee. Volunteer for a cause you believe in. Stop and chat with the people you meet while walking your dog.
Save your money
As Americans, we continue to live longer than previous generations. As such, we need more money to ensure we are able to live comfortably throughout a retirement that may be several years longer than our parents’. Start saving early. If you’re already near retirement age, talk to a financial planner about ways you can still optimize your cash flow during retirement.
Document your medical wishes
As we get older, our ability to make decisions make become diminished or an accident or illness make render us incapable of voicing our desires regarding healthcare. That’s why it pays to plan ahead. An Advance Directive, or “living will,” makes your wishes known to loved ones and healthcare providers by specifying what kind of medical treatment you would want – and what measures you don’t want taken – in the event you are unable to make these decisions for yourself. You should also appoint someone you trust as a Health Care Proxy to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
Keep a positive attitude
Illness, chronic pain and disease don’t have to be a part of growing older. By staying focused on the positive aspects of aging, you’ll help reframe your thoughts about growing older. Doing so can have major health benefits. According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking can increase your lifespan, lower your risk for disease, and increase your psychological and physical well-being.
