Ten Tips to Healthy Aging

Nowadays, people are living longer than ever before. This may be due to many medical and scientific advances. It is important that you have to be good to your body, mind, and soul to be able to live longer and age gracefully. After all, living longer does not happen automatically.

Listed below are 10 tips that can get you started to live a long and healthy life.

1) Eat Healthy - your body needs all the nutrients it can get. A well-balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fiber and low in saturated fat, Trans fat, and cholesterol can provide your body with the essential nutrients needed to achieve and maintain optimum health. Avoid eating junk food, and avoid too much sweet.

2) Stay Physically and Mentally Active - being physically active can help you stay strong and live longer. Try to include at least 30 minutes of activity into your daily routine. There are many things you can do that can keep you active; like walking, jogging, aerobics, yoga classes, sports. Choose activities that you can enjoy, and make a habit of. Do not choose a sport that is more of a grueling task, chances are you will not do it as often. You can keep your mind active by reading, doing crossword puzzles, learning new things. Even when you are older, learning should not stop; whenever you use your brain, you improve your mental health. Find a new hobby, learn cross-stitching, learn how to paint, etc.

3) Get Medical and Dental check up regularly - it is important to always get checked up, so work with your healthcare provider in reaching your goal. Work with your doctor towards a better health. By having regular preventative check ups, you catch small problems before they become big. It is important to also see your dentist regularly to maintain your oral hygiene.

4) Don't smoke - It goes without saying and has been proven before, that cigarette smoking is bad for your health. It is also the number one cause of preventable death. It is never too late to quit. As soon as you do, your body will begin to feel the benefits almost immediately. Your risk of having a heart attack decreases when you quit smoking.

5) Safety first - always think before you do anything. Be cautious about your surroundings. Try to be street smart and use common sense.

Just a few ways you can put safety first include:

- Always put on your seat belt when driving.

- Use a helmet when riding a bike.

- Never go out walking, running, or jogging at night alone. You reduce your risk of being attacked if you take a friend or partner along.

- Put smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Install a security alarm if at all possible. I say this because if you live in an apartment they will not allow you to install one.

- Fix any broken things around the house, like a wobbly stair case, loose toilet, etc. Doing this can prevent accidents.

- Keep your home well lit, and remove clutter that can make you fall. This will prevent injuries.

- Use medicines wisely by following directions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about side effects and drug interactions. If you have prescriptions, take them regularly.

6) Protect your body - Use sunscreen when you are out in the sun. Protect yourself from environmental extremities. Do not stay under the sun too much. Overexposure to heat is not good for your body. When you are out gardening make sure to use protection from heat; make sure you do not go out in extreme heat to avoid getting heat stroke. Dress appropriately for the weather and avoid getting too hot or too cold.

7) Avoid or lessen alcohol intake- avoiding alcohol is a good way to live healthy but if you cannot avoid drinking alcohol, making sure to do it in moderation. Limit your alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink a day. One drink is: One 12-ounce bottle of beer or one 5-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of spirits

8) Be money wise - Keep your personal and financial records in order; by doing this will lessen your headache in dealing with finances when you retire. You can start planning now for your long-term housing and financial needs. Get help from your financial advisor on how you can retire and be able to live comfortably during retirement. You can also do your own research about savings, obtaining credit cards, banking, etc. on the internet. Visit http://www.consumer.gov/yourmoney.htm, this is an excellent resource that can answer many of your questions.

9) Keep in touch with family and friends - by keeping in touch with your family and friends you will have the support that you need when you need them. Get to know your neighbors and volunteer in your community. By creating a strong social network, you will not only have friends to celebrate with when good things happen, but also a support system in difficult times.

10) Maintain a positive attitude - studies have shown that people who have a positive attitude tend to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Have fun, and be happy. Laughter is the best medicine so always inject humor into your day to day life. Life is a journey not a destination- so enjoy it while it lasts.