Aging Well with Pizzazz
I often look around and wonder what aging well looks like in our country. The life expectancy of people in our country has changed dramatically. Today’s life expectancy is 82 years, compared to the life expectancy in 1900 of only 45 years. As we age for longer periods, the risk for age-related disease increases, thus impacting how well we age.
The puzzle of how individuals live well and the age of 100 is not as big a mystery as some might think. There is the question of whether those aging successfully have some magic wand hidden in their back pocket.
Aging gracefully is not a mystery. We have more control over how we age than we might think.
The following are a few tips on how to age well with pizzazz:
- Taking care of our health (it is important to be evaluated annually by a healthcare professional).
- Keep moving (building daily activities in our lives).
- Taking care of our mental health.
- Getting plenty of rest.
- Drinking plenty of water and following a heart-healthy diet.
And doing things that bring you joy and surrounding yourselves with friends and family that bring you, love, goes a long way to aging gracefully.
How many of these tips do you currently have incorporated into daily living? How many can you incorporate without too much difficulty, and which ones require more focus?
Aging gracefully certainly requires focus and practice. This can be a challenge. Let’s face it, life just sometimes gets in the way. I wish you all the best and hope you find joy in your journey.
Julie Leith, LMSW, MBA is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist whose mission is to change the stigma of aging and promote healthy and positive aging. She is the mother of a teenage girl, married to a wonderful husband and is living her best life.
Contact Julie at info@durableassistance.com to connect.