​3 habits guaranteed to help you age with grace

by Kristi Rambo

EXERCISE
You knew we were going to list exercise, right? We care deeply about physical fitness because we know it positively affects the rest of your life. A study in the NCBI states that physical exercise allows people to “develop their maximum physical potential, improve their physical and mental health, and attenuate the negative consequences of aging.” If that’s not enough reason to start working out, take a look at this Time article that states, “15 minutes of moderate exercise a day (or 92 minutes per week) was associated with a three-year increase in life expectancy.” Just 15 minutes a day for 3 more years of life! A slightly longer workout could tack on even more years. Adults who regularly exercise live longer and better (Time), so pick something you’d like to try and get moving!
 
MODERATION
Do you have any habits you can swap out for healthier options? A few simple tweaks to your routine could help you to keep feeling youthful. When it comes to your diet, go ahead and enjoy a treat now and then, but keep sugar and alcohol intakes low. Excessive sodium can also lead to high blood pressure (Mayo Clinic), so watch your salt intake, too! If you’re not sure where to start with your diet, we have a free nutrition class on the last Tuesday evening of every month and we’d love to see you there.
Another area you may be able to cut back is time spent in front of a screen. An Australian study showed that every hour of TV that participants watched after age 25 was associated with a 22-minute reduction in their life expectancy (Time). Get up, get out there and live the good life!
 
HAPPINESS
Yes, happiness can be a habit, too! Fill your life with people and activities that  bring you joy, and fill your mind with uplifting thoughts. A Harvard article states that “stress or fear […] adds up to “wear and tear” and, eventually, illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.” Chronic anger and anxiety can also negatively affect the body. Some factors that lead to a happier and healthier life include emotional vitality, optimism, and supportive family and friends. A psychologist quoted in a Forbes article says that, “optimistic people tend to be healthier.” Who and what put you in a more optimistic frame of mind? Choose to include more of those things in your routine.