To put it simply, healthy aging is the process of maintaining your functional abilities even as you grow older. Promoting healthy aging enables one to do the things he/she values even in older age. If one wants to live long and healthy, he should start considering these different things as early as possible.
Be physically active
One of the best ways we can take care of physical and even our mental health is to exercise regularly. For one, regular exercise can help you maintain or achieve your ideal weight. This can have many positive effects on your skeletal and muscular health in the long-term. Being physically active also helps us keep our hearts and minds healthy.
Eat healthily
One problem in our time today is that we eat too much food that’s high in sodium. The recommended daily intake of sodium is only 2300 milligrams but because of junk food or processed food, we even hit as high as 3400 milligrams. If this is done every day, this can be very harmful to our health since it leads to high blood pressure and eventually cardiovascular diseases. So try to limit sugary food, processed food, and other items that are unhealthy.
Get enough sleep
For many Singaporeans, the lack of sleep is a real issue. If you don’t know, humans can actually go longer without eating than without sleeping. Not having enough sleep can affect the body in different aspects. You’re not giving your brain time to rest. You’re also not giving your body time to recover and store energy. These things, of course, can build up and will not be a positive thing as you grow old.
Look for ways to relieve stress
Stress can be a major cause of cognitive decline that comes with age. It can cause hormonal changes, memory loss, lower immunity, and etc. That’s why it is also important for you to find ways to relieve stress. Exercising is already a given. You can also find a hobby or certain activities that you simply enjoy and find relaxing.
Constantly challenge your brain
Another common problem that comes with aging is Alzheimer’s or dementia. Fortunately, there are ways for us to avoid or at least delay memory loss over time. That’s by constantly challenging your brain. Do crossword puzzles, sudokus, learn a new language, and many more. Just like your body, your brain also needs regular exercise to stay sharp and healthy!
Interact with others
Lastly, you should remember to always maintain your relationships with others. Isolation is the most probable cause of depression in older people. Interacting with others can help one feel fulfilled even as he/she grows old. Social interactions are something we innately need as humans.