We might naturally slow down a little as we age, but excellent health is something we can keep hold of all the way through our lives.
It’s true that some people can get unlucky and be plagued with health issues that are nothing to do with their lifestyle, but the better care we take of our bodies, the best chance we have. That way even if you do come up against an illness, your body has the best chance of survival and recovery. Here are some of the ways we can ensure we’re staying healthy into old age.
Start Young
The younger you begin living a healthy lifestyle the better. Regular exercise and eating the right foods will make your body strong. You will protect against cancers, heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses that take the lives of many. You will build up your muscles and your bones, reducing the chance of osteoporosis later in life. You will increase endurance and keep your body performing well, lowering your risk of falls and accidents or having to use a wheelchair later down the line. While starting young is best, starting ANY time is better than never so don’t be put off or feel that it’s pointless if you’re already a little older.
Give Up Your Dangerous Vices
Smoking, drinking, staying out all night, eating unhealthy foods- chances are you did it all in your younger years. But when you grow up a bit you learn that if you want to live a happy and healthy life, you have to respect your body. Occasionally some people get ‘lucky’ and smoke, drink and do everything wrong their whole life and live to a ripe old age. But the fact of the matter is, most people don’t. So many die of diseases and illnesses every single day which were totally preventable. And the thing that most older people have in common is that they look after their body and don’t put the wrong things into it.
You could look into addiction resources available if you have a habit you want to kick. And you definitely should, you could be knocking five, ten even more years off your life. This is time you will miss out on with your family if you’re no longer around. If you want to see your kids and grandkids, even great grandkids grow up, it’s worth making a change.
Make it a Lifestyle Choice
Having fitness goals is great- maybe you want to weigh certain amount, fit into a particular dress size or be able to run a set distance. However, fitness shouldn’t just be about looking good or getting fit, it should be part of your everyday life. Staying active and being up and about means you’re far more likely to stay lean and healthy. Have some active hobbies; spend the weekends biking with the family or running around paintballing with friends. When you’re collecting the kids from school or going to the shop, walk instead of jumping in your car. That way your fitness and health isn’t just a phase, something you might get bored of or stop doing. You’re already up and about in your everyday life, using your body and keeping your endurance up.
The same applies to your eating habits- don’t see yourself on a diet. Find recipes full of healthy ingredients that you genuinely love, treat yourself every now and again and don’t make it feel as though you’re depriving yourself. Instead, learn to love and enjoy the healthy options out there.