Many people search for the fountain of youth as they age. Most people will fail to realize that staying fit as you age is a fountain of youth in itself. Not just for vanity reasons, but your body will also feel so much better if you keep your body fit as you grow older. People who stay fit as they age have improved mental health, better mobility, decreased risk of falling, and better cognitive function. Staying fit contains so many benefits for a person’s life. To learn five ways to keep fit as you age, keep reading!
Exercise
Exercise is a huge key to staying fit as you age. The top things to keep in mind to stay fit are incorporating proper exercise and eating a proper diet. People who spend too much time seated or live inactive lifestyles have a higher risk of developing a chronic illness. Regular exercise lowers your risk of cancer, heart disease and keeps your body mobile. Exercise is also linked to reducing stress, better mental health, and improved sleep. 2.5 to 5 hours of exercise per week are suggested by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Lower Stress
Another way to stay fit as you age is to reduce your stress. Reducing your stress will keep you fit as you age because stress is known to be an ager. The stress results can range from premature aging, to wrinkles, to a high risk of heart disease. There are many ways to reduce your stress to keep your body strong such as daily meditation, sufficient sleep, having a good social circle, and of course, exercise!
Get Proper Amount of Sleep
Sleep is so important to our bodies. If you are going to eat right and exercise, you must ensure you are getting enough sleep. The amount of sleep you need per night depends on your age. Sufficient amounts of sleep have been proven to lower stress and depression, lower obesity, and improves your concentration and focus. If you are looking to stay fit as you age, make sure you’re getting the recommended hours of sleep.
Drink Lots of Water
Your body is made of 60% water, and your blood is 90% water. With that said, you want to make sure you’re drinking water, and lots of it! The recommended amount of water is commonly recommended to be eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. However, the exact amount you’ll need can vary from person to person. You may need more water than someone else’s recommendation depending on where you live, your diet, the season, the environment, your activity level, and your health.
Cut Out Bad Habits
If you tend to smoke or drink heavily, both habits are linked to premature aging and increased disease risk. Quitting smoking is difficult, but thankfully, there are so many resources to help you stop. You can also quit or decrease your alcohol consumption to the recommended amount for men and women. For men, it is two glasses per day, and for women is one glass per day.
Going to an annual physical exam will also give you an idea of what is not working for you. Cutting out or reducing these bad habits will promote you to stay fit as you grow older.
Conclusion
There are many ways to keep fit as you age. People are always looking for a fountain of youth, and this list of five ways to keep fit and age gracefully truly is it. These things require work out of you to do them; they do not just come on their own. However, you will love living a fit and healthy lifestyle. Plus, staying mobile for adventures with your grandkids!
Make sure you incorporate exercise, take measures to lower your stress, get enough sleep, drink enough water, and cut out bad habits to stay fit. Staying fit as you age is more than just looking good; it’s having a lifestyle to enjoy the people you love and do things that bring you joy. A healthy life is the best life.
