By the year 2068, there are likely to be an additional 1.8 million people aged 65 years and over.
–Office for National Statistics, UK
Growing up and growing older is part of life, we can not stop or prevent it. What we can do, however, is control how we age. I am sure many of us have heard the saying ”growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional.” Interestingly, the same can be said for how we age.
We all want to age well, maintain independence and enjoy life to the fullest. That is why you’ll be happy to know that 20% of our longevity is determined by our genes and 80% is completely up to us.
That’s why we’re here today, we want to share a great guide to ageing well at home.
Ageing Well At Home
Getting Active
It’s no secret that a active lifestyle is a healthy one. In fact there are many studies that have linked little exercise to an increased risk of chronic illness and shorter life.
This does not mean you must engage in a 60 min intensive workout everyday. No, something as simple as a 20 minute walk, cycle or even swim can have tremendous benefits for your body and how it ages.
For those of you who are not the biggest fans of gyms or public pools, there are great activities you can carry out from the comfort of your own home:
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Muscle movement exercises
Exercise is a great way to help manage weight (which your joints will thank you for), muscle tone and stress. Nothing helps clear the cobwebs away like a good walk.
Eating Well
We are all fond of a sweet treat now and then and that’s ok. It’s when it is brought to the extremes that it can negatively effect how well you age and your overall health. Below is a healthy eating guideline that will indeed help you on your ageing well journey.
- Eat up to 7 servings of fruit and vegetables per day
- Try to limit how much fatty processed foods you eat, sugar and salt as best you can.
- Portion size is important. Feel free to use Nutrition UK’s guide below
Mental Health Matters
It wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that we all learned just how important our mental health is.
Taking care of your mental health and keeping your stress and anxiety levels down all go a long way to helping you live and age well. Here’s how you can care for yours:
- Accepting Your Age: There is evidence to support that those who have a positive attitude towards aging and getting older actually live longer. Ageing is inevitable and learning to embrace it will make life all the sweeter.
- Do What You Love: Taking time out to do the things you love will bring happiness into your life. Whether it’s a cuppa in the garden, a walk in the forest or even taking up a new hobby. Take that time for yourself and enjoy.
- Talk To Others: Spending time with friends and family members is important for both mental and physical wellbeing.
Being able to talk it out, have a chat and enjoy spending time together will all go towards healthier mental health.
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