Whether you are worried about losing friendships, physical capabilities or yourself as you age, read on for ideas on how to move gracefully into your golden years. The sooner you realize this is the best time of your life, the sooner you begin to enjoy each and every day and live them as the gift they are meant to be.
Aging is not a bad thing. With more years comes knowledge. You know the old saying “older but wiser” and that’s true. Think of all the life experiences you’ve had compared to those that are young, and make sure to enjoy the naivety of those that you were once like.
Keeping your cholesterol under control is important for aging well. A build up of cholesterol can raise your risk of stroke or heart attack. Eating a diet low in animal fats and high in fiber can help keep your cholesterol level under control by increasing your HDL (good) cholesterol and reducing your LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Keeping mentally active will help one to age gracefully. Mental activities take longer as we grow older, but just like a muscle, the brain can be kept fit with activity. Some popular pastimes which encourage mental activity are suduko and crossword puzzles. Doing a puzzle a day can keep brain fog away.
Keep your friendships alive, and the aging process will be one of enjoyment. By working at these friendships, you are providing yourself with fuel, which gives you energy and provides you with love. Remember, that you are never too old to begin new friendships. Your new friend could be sitting at the next table to you in the coffee shop.
Take additional calcium supplements with your vitamins. Calcium gets more important to your body the older that you get. Most adults need about 1,200 mg of calcium each day. If you do not get the amount that your body needs, your bones are going to get brittle and weak.
Perhaps there was something you really wanted to do when you were in your twenties, but you set it aside as impractical: you had to pay the bills, provide for your family. Now that you have reached retirement age, it is time to think back to those interests you set aside. Don’t think you can’t pursue them now. You can!
Aging gracefully is everyone’s goal in life. A great way to start on that path is adopt a healthy diet – and it’s never too late to start. By eating five fruits and vegetables, at least three servings of whole grains, and drinking five to eight glasses of eight ounce water a day, you will be giving your body the proper nutrients it needs to begin the aging process gracefully. There are many easy ways to get fruits and vegetables too – have you tried juicing?
As you can see from the above article, it is how you perceive your life and what you do with it that gives it quality and meaning. The power is within you and you alone. Take the ideas presented, twist them and tweak them to how they will help you the most.