Have you ever heard the following saying? “Don’t let great be the enemy of good.” We can often fall into this trap when considering our heath and aging successfully. If we can’t do something perfectly, then we just don’t do it.
However, this is exactly the wrong type of thinking. Successful aging is a worthy goal for all of us to strive toward. To be successful in the aging process, great initiative is necessary as we are solely responsible for our health.
Each person’s journey will be different. It’s not just about the destination. The journey is an evolving process. There will be starts and stops, ups and downs, and twists and turns. Focus on being consistent and making better choices. You don’t have to be perfect…Good can be great! As you make choices in your journey, focus on habits that over time will lead to successful aging.
5 Habits to Help You on your Journey to Aging Well
(1) Walk Daily
A walking routine can help you to manage each of these critical components to successful aging including: physical health; mental health; emotional health; community; and finances (particularly, if leading a healthy lifestyle helps you to avoid the ever growing costs of health care).
Walking has many benefits including:
- Lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
- Lowers your risk of cancer, including breast cancer.
- Improves circulation and blood flow to the entire body.
- Releases stress reducing hormones.
- Releases hormones that can control blood sugar levels for up to 24 hours. This helps to reduce your risk of diabetes while keeping your energy levels stable throughout the day.
- Keeps your mind sharp and reduces your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
- Boosts your immune system.
- Improves sleep quality.
(2) Maintain your Strength
Strength training is critical as you age. All muscle fibers show some decline as we age although the fast twitch (Type II) fibers show the most decline. Strength training is a critical component to maintaining and strengthening Type II muscle fibers. The stronger you are, the more resistant to injury you will be. Most importantly, you must maintain adequate strength to insure the ability to be independently mobile.
(3) Maintain your Balance
Balance is critical to safe mobility. Assuming you have the strength to be mobile; you must also have adequate balance to be safe when moving around. Without adequate balance, you increase your risk of falling or injury.
(4) Focus on your Mental Health
Regardless of age, it’s important to remain engaged and mentally sharp through constant and varied mental stimulation. This means stay engaged by turning off the television and playing a game or reading a book instead. Better yet, join a book club so you can discuss your latest read with friends.
Other activities to keep mentally challenged include taking an online course, learning how to paint or play a musical instrument. Challenge yourself.
Proper nutrition and exercise also have an impact on your mental health and can help to prevent depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.
If you are hard of hearing, get appropriate help. Research has shown that a loss of hearing has a direct correlation to isolation, depression, dementia, and mental decline.
(5) Focus on your Emotional Health
Active engagement in your community is a critical part of successful aging. People find community in a variety of ways including family, friends, church, civic organizations or volunteer projects. Others may choose to continue to work.
Remember to share the love. Research clearly notes that those who are more loving and caring tend to live longer and healthier. Be generous with the knowledge and wisdom that you have acquired throughout the years. Love others and purposefully share that love.
Research also validates the importance of friendship in living a long and meaningful life. Many argue that a sense of belonging and purpose combined with a strong social support system will have more influence on the aging process than more traditional factors such as diet, weight control, and exercise.
The importance of having strong meaningful friendships cannot be understated. Research continues to validate that friendship is a key to longevity and avoiding heart disease.
There are many aspects to healthy aging. Maintaining psychosocial support and friendships along with independent mobility and cardiovascular health are key components that can insure you’re living a successful purposeful life. Each person’s journey is different and unique. We are all capable of successfully aging if we take the initiative and are intentional about the process.
Trying to make something great can actually prevent us from making it just good. Instead of pushing yourself to something impossible and getting nowhere, accept good. You are in control of your journey, so enjoy the ride!
Written by: Ben Shatto
Editor’s Note: This article was written by Ben Shatto, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS. Ben is a physical therapist and Administrator for Signature Healthcare – home of House Calls, Home Health, Palliative and Hospice Care as well as the founder and editor of the website: www.thePhysicalTherapyAdvisor.com. His website is dedicated to help proactive adults of all ages to understand how to safely self-treat and manage common musculoskeletal, neurological, and mobility related conditions in a timely manner so they can reach their optimal health.
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