Aging is natural and it happens to all of us. But when we think about growing older, we tend to think about wrinkles, slowing down, and not being able to do, or wear, the things we used to, and begin to view aging as something negative. Our society also places a tremendous amount of emphasis on looking young and staying that way, so it can be hard to accept looking older if this is our mindset.
For me aging is about more than just appearance, it’s how we FEEL physically, mentally and spiritually. Feeling grounded, balanced and fulfilled is a big part of how we feel and how we see ourselves. I recommend taking a more positive approach to getting older and shifting our mindset. Continuing to learn and grow as a person, giving back to society, starting something new, building and strengthening relationships, and challenging our minds can help us feel and be our best no matter our age bracket.
It is interesting that I feel younger today at 51 than I did when I was in my late thirties. I wasn’t exercising, hadn’t started meditating yet, my body was all banged up from playing football (soccer) and that is when I got introduced to marine collagen and started to age better. Sometimes it is the little things that become big. Taking the collagen consistently made me feel better in my joints and ligaments.I was able to start exercising again, ate better, slept better, started mindfulness, was less stressed and happier. Happiness is an important factor in healthy aging.
"I recommend taking a more positive approach to getting older and shifting our mindset. Try to focus less on the number, and channel your thoughts and energy into what makes you feel good, happy, and balanced."
I recommend to anyone interested in healthy aging to read “How Not To Age” by Michael Greger MD. In his book, Greger says that even if at the bare minimum, at the age between forty-five and sixty-four, you switch to having at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, walking about twenty minutes a day, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking, it can result in a substantial reduction in mortality in the immediate future - a 40% lower risk of dying in the subsequent four years. I see aging as one thing, but healthy aging, without complications is truly a gift.
Here are my tips for healthy aging to help reframe and redefine aging:
Embrace Your Age
Accepting and respecting your age can help you to love yourself for who you are inside and focus less on any changes in how you look.
Adopt Healthy Habits
Quality sleep, eating well, staying hydrated, and keeping a regular exercise routine have a positive effect on your heath and in turn on how you feel—rested, nourished, more invigorated and mobile.
Use Skincare and Suncare
Taking the time to care for your skin and using sunscreen daily can help your skin stay healthy, feel more supple and look more hydrated and radiant.
Stay Social
Maintaining social connections with friends and family and doing the things you love, that make you happy, are both mentally and physically stimulating.
Manage Stress
Reducing stress, letting go of any negativity and practicing mindfulness help to quiet your thoughts and help you to feel less anxious. Remember to stop and take a deep breath when stress starts to creep back in.
Challenge Your Mind
Stimulate your mind and memory with games, problem solving, reading and learning.
Harness Your Experience
Leaning into your life experiences can boost your confidence and ease decision making.
So, enjoy your next trip around the sun, try to focus less on the number, and channel your thoughts and energy into what makes you feel good, happy, and balanced. To me this is the secret to a healthy life at any age.
