Getting older doesn’t have to mean decline. If your goal is to stay healthy as long as possible you may want to make these five facts part of your life.
1. Think positively about ageing.
Yale researchers recently discovered that people who view ageing positively are 50% less likely to develop dementia. Even if they have the gene linked to developing the disease. It is important to live in a culture of healthy ageing and surround yourself with others that view ageing positively.
2. Optimism isn’t (necessarily) the answer.
Outgoing people don’t necessarily live longer. Being excessively happy isn’t as important as having some discipline and dedication. People who age well continue to push themselves and take on new challenges.
3. Exercise.
Light exercise improves your health and longevity. Walking for 10 minute sessions, two or three times a day, reduces the risk of early death by almost 20%. High intensity exercise reduces your risk by 35%. Poor aerobic fitness could be a bigger health risk than obesity.
4. Eat your greens.
Leafy greens keep our blood vessels flexible. People who eat more leafy greens reduce their rate of cognitive decline. Eat more and get more benefit, Those who eat the most reduce their cognitive age by up to 11 years. Fruits and vegetables keep your heart healthy too. Eating at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke by 20%.
5. Exercise.
Not just your body, but your mind. Learn a new skill, take a course, learn to juggle. Anything that forces you to try (and to fail) at something new is good for you. Exercise your mind to maintain your neural plasticity and build new brain cells. Keep learning and developing your thinking skills to keep your brain young.
Stay active, eat your greens, seek out challenge and embrace your age to keep fit for life.
Change your mind, change your health,
Shayla