In school, we learned the fable of the grasshopper and the ant. While the ant put away food for winter, the grasshopper lived only for the moment. In the end, the grasshopper didn’t fare too well. We can think about taking care of our bodies as we age the same way. To live our best lives as we age, we have to plan for the long haul to avoid pain and disease later in life.
Whether you are 40 or 60, it’s never too late to start taking care of your body. By taking preventative measures now, you can ensure you have a happy healthy long life.
1. Modify Your Diet
Your body functions best when you fuel it with fresh fruits and vegetables and other whole foods. When you eat a mostly plant-based diet, you’ll be getting antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that slow the aging process. You don’t have to give up meats completely, just make sure you eat less processed meat and fill up on healthy choices, like omega-3 rich fish, instead.
2. Exercise
Adults that are cleared by their doctors should aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. You don’t have to do a high-intensity cardio workout to reap the benefits of exercise. Taking ten minute walking breaks throughout the day is just as beneficial. Most importantly, find what works for you! You’ll be more likely to stick to an exercise plan if the activity is something you enjoy.
3. Get Enough Sleep
Your body heals and recharges during sleep, so it’s important to get at least seven to eight hours of shut-eye per night. When you sleep, your body resets itself, so that you can wake up fresh each day. If you find yourself needing more than eight hours of sleep every night, you may want to discuss this with your doctor. Lack of sleep can cause serious side effects, so it’s important that you learn what’s keeping you up at night so that you can fix it.
4. Stress Management
Finding your zen can be hard, especially when you’re going through a stressful situation or the demands of daily life creep in. It’s important to have a healthy outlet for stress relief, because chronic stress can lead to several serious health issues down the road. When you notice the triggers of stress around you, try to stop stress before it becomes a health issue. Many people make use of stress management outlets, such as exercise, meditation or writing.
5. Have a Strong Support System
Having a strong support system is key to a long and healthy life. A sense of community can help you better manage stress. When you have friends and family around, you’ll be more likely to enjoy exercise as well. A strong support system provides an invaluable sense of self-worth, which is the foundation of a happy healthy long life.
