Anyone who has lived to mid-life understands that age is a gift. You can probably name at least half a dozen people you know personally who did not get the number of years you’ve gotten so far in life.
With that said, old age does not necessarily treat a body well. You wake up in the morning only to be greeted by general aches and pains. Your metabolism slows down, and you slowly develop a paunch and spectacular dad bod, even when you’re not a dad.
Do you have to suffer through all the aches and pains of age? Or is there a way to hack the aging process?
A healthy lifestyle won’t make you younger, but it will help you not feel like you’re stuck in an old man’s body. Here are a few basic changes you can make to establish a healthy lifestyle.
What Goes In, Comes Out
What you put in your body will ultimately affect what you get out of your body. Begin with your nutrition and hydration.
Do not just opt for low-calorie foods. Rather, focus on high-nutrient foods. Healthy eating means making the most out of every calorie, so focus on leafy green vegetables and natural foods with bright colors.
Stay away from processed foods with chemicals. Begin looking at ingredient lists. If you cannot pronounce the ingredients listed, don’t eat the contents of the package.
The foods you eat impact you in so many ways. Your body will function at its best, and you will even see your mood boosted when you ingest whole foods.
Take omega-3 fatty acids for example. This material, found in fish, will improve your heart, brain, and skin health. It also reduces stress.
Hydration matters as well. Experts estimate that as much as 75 percent of the people in the United States are chronically dehydrated.
Water does more than assist you with a workout. It contributes to cellular function and helps lubricate your joints. When you do not drink enough water, you feel the effects all over.
Stress Reduction
To gain and then maintain optimal health, you absolutely must reduce your stress level. Stress is a major factor in illness. It can suppress your immune system, making you more susceptible to basic illnesses.
It also leads to weight gain and general unwellness.
Many people attempt to manage their stress in unhealthy ways. They begin to drink or smoke. These habits lead to one of two routes: you either end up in a program where you must detox your body or you establish a life-long habit that causes early death.
You can reduce your stress in a few ways.
Job Change
Americans, in general, tend to focus on money. More money truly does lead to more problems at times and ultimately more stress.
If you have a good job where you’re constantly seeking a raise, consider asking for a different perk at the next job evaluation. For example, ask for the option to telecommute.
Working from home can greatly reduce your stress as you move at your own pace and drink your own coffee. You avoid the drama of work, and you can focus on the tasks at hand.
Focus On the Good
We easily find ourselves in a black hole of despair when we only see the negative in our situation. When you savor the small stuff like the pleasant smell of your shampoo in the morning or the sound of birds chirping outside your window, you will see your stress level go down.
Practice Mindfulness
When you’re feeling especially stressed, take a few minutes to practice mindfulness. Look for an app you can put on your phone which teaches you how to breathe mindfully.
Then take a couple of minutes every day to do your breathing exercises. Often you will start with just a two to three-minute exercise and work your way up to ten minutes.
Seek Fresh Air
If you work in a windowless cube, take your next work break outside. Go for a short walk around the block, and breathe in the fresh air.
Outside air will restore and refresh your mind. You will return to work with a clear mind and refreshed mental state.
Stop Comparing
Our world of social media leads us to easily compare ourselves with others. This is a dead-end road that leads to nothing but stress and despair. Stop comparing yourself to your colleagues, friends, and everyone else you’ve friended on your account.
Increase Time With Friends
Take a break from work to spend time with good friends. Doing so will relax your mind and improve your mood. Do an activity you all love like hiking, eating good food, or going to a movie.
Look into these activities to reduce your stress. You will live a much healthier life when you just take a few minutes to deal with your stress daily.
Increase Movement
Take time to exercise every day. You should get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. Often individuals will focus just on basic cardiovascular activity, where they get their heart pumping.
As you age, though, you should begin strength training to build more bone density and improve your health.
Any kind of exercise that you enjoy will boost your mood. You can even contribute to reducing stress by exercising with a friend.
In addition to purposeful movement, add in purposeful rest. You need a full night’s sleep to help you function well.
Focus on improving your sleep hygiene by going to bed at the same time and in the same way every night. Establish a routine that includes going to sleep in a dark, cool room. Shut all screens off at least an hour before you go to bed.
Use Your Resources
You have a variety of resources available to you if you just take time to find them. In particular, ask around your workplace if they offer a wellness or coaching program. Then take advantage of the program.
Enjoy a Healthy Lifestyle
By following these basic tips, you will enjoy a healthy lifestyle. You’ll reap rich rewards like fewer visits to the doctor, more energy, and just a generally good feeling every time you wake up.
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